Police have released new photos of a second campsite where a New Zealand father is believed to have hid with his children after vanishing four years ago.
In 2021, Tom Phillips disappeared along with his three children, Jayda, Maverick, and Ember, who were all eight, seven, and five at the time they vanished.
On Monday (September 8), it was announced by authorities that Phillips had been shot dead in a shootout with police in the small town of Marokopa, on the west coast of New Zealand’s Waikato region.
Police had received a call of a break-in at a small farm supply shop in the early hours of the morning, and they were greeted by two suspects, Phillips and one of his children, on quad bikes, and gunfire started.
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One police officer was shot in the head, leaving him critically injured, while a second police officer responded to the gunfire. Phillips was pronounced dead at the scene, while the child accompanying him was taken into custody. After a search, police later found Phillips' other two children safe.
On Tuesday (September 9), police released photos of what they believe to be where Phillips and his children were hiding, while officials have also found another campsite they believe was used.
Speaking to press, Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders said the area was 'difficult to access, well-hidden and highlights the challenging environment the family used as their base'.
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He added: "It’s a very grim, dimly-lit area, surrounded by dense bush. The tent was well covered and dry. We are currently looking at a number of items at the site. Aside from the burglaries we are now able to link to Tom, it is apparent that he had outside help."
Images of the campsite show a shelter that is seemingly built from tree branches and various other things, while officials also found a portable gas stove and gas bottle.
There was also empty gin and iced coffee bottles lying around, as Detective Saunders said the campsite was 'not very nice for children'.
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"It's not a camping trip for a couple of nights. It's very dirty, cramped conditions," he added.
The detective went on to say that police believe Phillips had 'multiple sites', with officials continuing their investigations in an attempt to find them.
Saunders thanked those involved in finding the children in a investigation dubbed Operation Curly.
"Operation Curly was an operation focused on locating Tom and the safe return of the children," he said. "As the police work enters a new phase, our Operation Curly naturally comes to a conclusion. While no one wanted it to end in these circumstances, it is highly satisfying as an investigator that the children have been safely returned."
Topics: Crime, New Zealand, World News, Gun Crime, Parenting
Callum Jones