The parents of Tom Phillips, who disappeared with his three children into the New Zealand wilderness in 2021, have issued a public apology for the first time since Phillips was fatally shot by police on September 8. Neville and Julia Phillips expressed their remorse in a letter published in the King Country News, a local community newspaper, on Thursday. They stated, ‘We would like to send our sincere apology… for all the trouble, inconvenience, loss of privacy, and property caused by Tom. We in no way supported him or agreed with any of his actions over the past four years. We are truly sorry for all that you had to endure.’
Tom Phillips had evaded capture for nearly four years despite a nationwide manhunt and numerous reported sightings. His evasion ended tragically during a shoot-out with police in September, which also left an officer seriously injured. The officer has since been discharged from the hospital, according to local media reports. One of Phillips’ children, who was present during the confrontation, provided crucial information that led to the safe recovery of the other two children later that day.
Phillips and his children had been living in Marokopa, a small rural town in Waikato, surrounded by dense bush and forested terrain, before their disappearance. Detective Superintendent Ross McKay described the area as ‘difficult, steep terrain almost completely obscured from all angles by dense bush.’ The police’s primary objective during the operation was ‘locating and returning the children safely,’ McKay emphasized, noting that Phillips was known to possess firearms and was willing to use them.
Phillips’ family had previously made public appeals for his return. In a televised message, his sister Rozzi urged, ‘We’re ready to help you walk through what you need to walk through.’ His mother Julia also penned a heartfelt letter, expressing her daily hope that ‘today will be the day that you all come home.’
Police have refrained from providing further details as investigations into the incident remain ongoing.