A father who had been on the run with his three children in New Zealand's wilderness for nearly four years has been shot dead by police.
Tom Phillips, who disappeared with his children in late 2021, had evaded capture despite a nationwide search and multiple sightings over the years. The case had gripped the country and remains one of New Zealand's most enduring mysteries.
Phillips was killed in a shootout around 02:30 on Monday (14:30 GMT Sunday) in Piopio, a small town in northern New Zealand, police said.
Officers were responding to a reported robbery at a commercial property when Phillips and one of his children were spotted riding a quad bike. Police officers then gave chase before laying road spikes to stop them. The bike hit the spikes and went off road.
When police reached the vehicle they were met with gunfire, Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers told reporters. The first attending officer at the scene was shot in the head and remains in a serious condition, police said.
A second patrol unit then engaged Phillips, who was shot and died at the scene. While the body had not been formally identified at the time of the announcement, police were confident it was Phillips.
The other two children were found later in the day at a remote campsite in dense bush. All three children are unharmed, Rogers added.
The child he was with, who has not been identified, had provided crucial information that helped them locate Phillips' two other children later in the day.
It was unclear whether the children had been informed of their father's death. Police have notified their mother and Phillips' parents that the children are safe, though they declined to comment on who will provide ongoing care.
The children's mother, known only as Cat, told local media outlet RNZ she was deeply relieved that this ordeal has come to an end after missing her children dearly every day for nearly four years. But, she continued: We are saddened by how events unfolded today.
Authorities said Phillips had been evading capture since failing to appear in court in 2022. Before they disappeared, Phillips and his children were living in Marokopa, a small rural town in the Waikato region. Police believe he took his children after losing legal custody of them.
Marokopa is an area surrounded by a very harsh landscape, with dense bush and forested terrain. Locals knew Phillips as a bushman with survival skills that enabled him to live off the land.
Last year, a warrant was issued for Phillips' arrest over his suspected involvement in a bank robbery. However, many have wondered if he received community support during his time on the run.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Luxon described the turn of events as sad and absolutely tragic, echoing concerns from residents about how Phillips' death would affect his children's wellbeing.
