Police have been searching for Tom Phillips for more than three and half years(Image: NZ Police)
New Zealand – After nearly four years living in hiding in the forest with his three children, Tom Phillips was shot dead by New Zealand police in a shootout on September 8, 2025. Previously, in December 2021, he took his children away from their mother, known as Cat, following a custody dispute. Although he did not have legal custody, he lived in hiding with the children for nearly four years, causing great concern among authorities and both families.
Girlfriend Reveals the Full Truth
Recently, Tom Phillips’ girlfriend, who helped him during his years on the run, has come forward to reveal the full story. According to her, Tom fled because his ex-wife continually pressured him to give up the children, leaving him no choice but to take them into hiding.
The Reason for Fleeing
According to his girlfriend, after Tom’s marriage to Cat ended, she persistently sought full custody of their three children. She explained: “Tom loved his children deeply and couldn’t allow them to live in an unstable environment. He tried to negotiate, but Cat refused to compromise. In the end, he decided to take the children to protect them.”
She also revealed that during their years in hiding, Tom lived in extremely harsh conditions but always tried to keep the children safe and happy. “He was an amazing father. Despite the hardships, he always put his children first,” she said.
Family and Community Reactions
After learning the real reason behind Tom’s flight, both families and the local community expressed sympathy and understanding. A relative of Tom said: “We were always worried about him and the children. Now we understand that he did it only to protect them.”
However, there are also opposing views. Some argue that, regardless of his reasons, living in hiding with children for such a long period was unacceptable. A local resident commented: “Regardless, he broke the law and caused concern in the community.”
The Future of the Three Children
Currently, the three children are under the care of New Zealand child protection services. Authorities report that they are “stable and unharmed” after nearly four years in harsh conditions. Experts note that reintegration will be a major challenge, requiring psychological support and specialized care to help the children recover from the trauma they experienced.
The Phillips family case has drawn significant public attention in New Zealand. Regaining custody of the children will be a complex process, requiring careful consideration by Family Court and relevant authorities. Meanwhile, the family and local community hope the children will soon live in a loving and stable environment.
Tom Phillips’s three children are missing (Image: NZ Police)
Phillips is alleged to have stolen a motorcycle(Image: NZ Police)
