2 w. ago As a dark chapter closes, NZ reckons with fugitive father Tom Phillips’ four years on the run

Phillips’ three children were rescued from the wilderness this week as the complex case stirs emotions and questions remain over how it unfoldedIn a dark, grimy dugout in the middle of the freezing New Zealand bush, the three Phillips children lived with their father. Childhood is measured in increments; birthdays, lost teeth, certificates, a felt tip on a height chart. In the version of reality Tom Phillips created and controlled for his children, it’s hard to know how time was marked. But from 9 December 2021, when their father took them from their mother and the rest of their family, it would be 1,368 sleeps before the children were rescued.This week, after almost four years on the run, Phillips was found on his way back from a robbery with one of his children. He was shot dead after being stopped by road spikes and opening fire on police, shooting an officer in the head and shoulder. This sparked an urgent search for the two children remaining in the bush. They were found with t...

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3 w. ago Discovery of new campsite shows fugitive Tom Phillips had ‘outside help,’ NZ police say

Phillips had spent nearly four years hiding in the wilderness with his three children before he was killed in an exchange of fire with police on MondayFugitive father Tom Phillips was receiving outside help during his years on the run before he was killed in a police shoot-out this week, New Zealand police said on Wednesday as they released images that show a newly discovered campsite.Phillips had spent nearly four years hiding in the wilderness with his three children. He was killed in an exchange of fire with police after reports of a burglary in the remote town of Piopio, in the central North Island, on Monday. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Images of Tom Phillips remote campsite revealed a day after fugitive father shot dead by New Zealand police

After four years on the run with their father, Phillips three children have all been located and are ‘doing well under the circumstances’, say authoritiesPolice in New Zealand have released images and given details of the campsite where two of fugitive Tom Phillips’ children were found, after their father was shot and killed by police on Monday.Phillips had spent nearly four years hiding in the wilderness with his children. He was killed in an exchange of fire with police after reports of a burglary in the remote town of Piopio. A police officer is recovering in hospital after being shot in the head by Phillips with a high-powered rifle in the standoff. About 11 hours after Phillips was killed, two of his children were found safe and well at the campsite in Waitomo. It is understood the third child was with Phillips at the time of the shooting. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago He shot a policeman, made his children live in the wild for years and even took one of them on armed robberies. So why are so many still saying New Zealand's fugitive dad died a victim?

Shot dead yesterday by police in New Zealand having attempted to rob a shop, Tom Phillips, one of the world's most notorious fugitives, somehow still divides opinions.

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3 w. ago Fugitive father who went on the run with his children for nearly four years shot dead by police

Two children were found after a major search operation for Tom Phillips in New Zealand finally came to an end

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3 w. ago Missing New Zealand children found after fugitive father shot dead by police

A police office was shot and seriously injured in the attempt to arrest fugitive Tom Phillips

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3 w. ago Tom Phillips: Father who hid from police with his children for years is shot dead

Two children were found after a major search operation involving 50 officers

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3 w. ago New Zealand fugitive father shot dead by police amid desperate hunt for children

A police office was shot and seriously injured in the attempt to arrest fugitive Tom Phillips

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3 w. ago 'Into the wild' fugitive dad is killed in shootout with cops four years after vanishing into the wilderness with his kids

Fugitive father Tom Phillips has been shot dead by police in New Zealand after being on the run with his three young children for almost four years.

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3 w. ago New Zealand father who hid from police with his three children for years is shot dead

Whereabouts of two children still unknown

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3 w. ago Family of fugitive father unleashes after he was killed in shootout with cops four years after vanishing into the wild with his kids

Fugitive father Tom Phillips has been shot dead by police in New Zealand after being on the run with his three young children for almost four years.

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3 w. ago Tom Phillips shooting: NZ police race to find children before nightfall after fugitive father shot dead by police – latest updates

Fugitive father who has been on the run with his children for four years was shot by police after an attempted burglary of a building in Piopio. Police are now searching for two of his missing childrenFull report: Tom Phillips shot dead after attempted burglary, NZ police confirmThe mayor of Waitomo, John Robertson, told the Guardian this morning’s events were the worst possible outcome for the community.“I’m shattered, to be honest, and there will be many in the community that are devastated that this was the outcome after three and a half, four years,” he said.So it’s just devastating news. Really the worst outcome we could have expected.No day that goes by that I don’t think about all four of them.It hurts every time I see photos of the children and of you, and see some of your stuff that is still here, thinking what could have been if you had not gone away. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Hidden for nearly four years: how the saga of fugitive father Tom Phillips unfolded in New Zealand

Sightings of Phillips and his three children were rare over the years and mystery surrounded how they survived in the remote wildernessTom Phillips shooting: latest updatesFull report: Father on run with children for nearly four years, shot dead by NZ police in exchange of fireIn a tragic end to a case that has captivated New Zealand for nearly four years, fugitive father Tom Phillips was shot dead by police after a burglary on Monday. Phillips had been on the run with his three children since 2021. One of the children was with Phillips during the exchange of fire near Piopio on Monday, while authorities said they had serious concerns for the other two children, who remained missing.The long-running mystery over Phillips and his children’s whereabouts has prompted multiple searches, offers of rewards, and pleas for information from family members and the police. New Zealand struggled to understand how, in a country of close-knit communities, Phillips could have evaded detection. Con...

Politics

3 w. ago Tom Phillips, fugitive father on run with children for nearly four years, shot dead by NZ police in exchange of fire

Phillips, who has been on the run with his children for four years, was shot by police after officers came under fire while investigating burglary in Piopio, authorities saidNew Zealand police search for missing children after shooting – latest updatesA fugitive father who had been hiding in New Zealand’s rugged wilderness with his three children for nearly four years has been shot dead by police investigating an armed burglary, police said on Monday.The whereabouts of Tom Phillips has attracted headlines around the world since just before Christmas 2021, when he fled into the Waikato wilderness with his children Ember, now 9, Maverick, 10, and Jayda, 12, following a custody dispute with their mother. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago A New Zealand father who evaded authorities with his 3 children for years is shot dead by the police

A New Zealand man who evaded authorities with his three children for nearly four years has been shot and killed by police

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3 w. ago Tom Phillips shooting: NZ police search for children after fugitive father shot dead by police – latest updates

Fugitive father who has been on the run with his children for four years was shot by police after an attempted burglary of a building in Piopio, authorities sayFull report: Tom Phillips shot dead after attempted burglary, NZ police confirmThe mother of the three children has said she is “deeply relieved” the situation is over but is also saddened by what happened today.The woman, who gave only her first name, Cat, said in a statement to New Zealand broadcaster RNZ that she looked forward to welcoming her missing children home.We are deeply relieved that for our tamariki [children] this ordeal has come to an end. They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care.At the same time, we are saddened by how events unfolded today. Our hope has always been that the children could be returned in a peaceful and safe way for everyone involved. Continue reading...

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