“She Still Hears Their Voices in Her Head” — A Mother’s Anguish After Fugitive Dad’s Tragic End

In a case that has gripped New Zealand for nearly four years, the saga of fugitive father Tom Phillips and his three children—Jayda, Maverick, and Ember—came to a devastating close on September 8, 2025. Phillips, who had been on the run in the rugged Waikato wilderness since December 2021, was shot dead by police during a confrontation following an attempted burglary in Piopio. The children’s mother, known only as Cat, has now spoken out, revealing the emotional toll of the ordeal and a haunting discovery at the family’s remote campsite: a crayon-written note that may hold a secret message meant for her. This article delves into the heart-wrenching story, the details of the police operation, and the lingering mysteries surrounding the family’s life in hiding.

A Family Vanishes into the Wilderness

Tom Phillips, a skilled bushman from the small coastal settlement of Marokopa, vanished with his three children—Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9—following a custody dispute with their mother, Cat, in December 2021. The disappearance sparked a nationwide search, with police, volunteers, and the community scouring the dense Waikato bushland for any sign of the family. Phillips, facing charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding, and unlawful possession of firearms, had taken his children into the wilderness, evading capture for nearly four years.

The case captivated New Zealand, not only for its mystery but for the questions it raised about how a family could survive undetected in such harsh terrain. Speculation swirled that Phillips had help from sympathizers, as surviving solely on bushcraft seemed implausible, especially given Ember’s asthma, which required prescription inhalers. CCTV footage from August 2025 showed Phillips and one of his children allegedly breaking into a store, stealing grocery items, suggesting they relied on more than just the land to survive.

Cat, the children’s mother, lived with the daily agony of their absence. In 2022, she spoke to the New Zealand Herald, describing her grief as “like every day [I’m] grieving … the loss of three childhoods, the loss of innocence, the loss of my babies.” She accused Phillips of using the children as “pawns in his game,” emphasizing that they deserved a stable, safe life. Her pleas for their return went unanswered, and sightings of the family were rare, fueling both hope and despair.

The Fatal Confrontation

The saga reached its tragic climax early on September 8, 2025, when police responded to a burglary at a farm supply store in Piopio. Acting on reports of two individuals on a quad bike wearing farm clothing and headlamps, officers pursued the suspects, whom they suspected might be Phillips and one of his children. Police laid road spikes at an intersection, stopping the quad bike. When officers approached, they were met with gunfire from a high-powered rifle. One officer was shot in the head, sustaining critical but survivable injuries. A second officer returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect, believed to be Phillips, though formal identification was pending at the time.

One of Phillips’ children was present at the scene and was taken into custody unharmed. The child provided crucial information that led police to a remote campsite approximately 2 kilometers away, where the other two children were found later that day, around 4:30 p.m., in near-freezing conditions. The children, described as cooperative and doing “well under the circumstances,” were taken for medical checks and placed in the care of Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand’s child welfare agency.

Police recovered multiple firearms, ammunition, and stolen items from the quad bike and campsite. The campsite itself, nestled in dense bushland, contained 21 bottles, four gas stoves, quad bikes, tires, and cans of soft drinks, painting a picture of a makeshift existence. But it was a small, unexpected detail—a note written in crayon—that captured the attention of investigators and hinted at a deeper emotional undercurrent.

The Crayon Note: A Hidden Message?

Among the items found at the campsite was a note, written in crayon, that authorities believe may have been intended for Cat. While the contents of the note have not been publicly disclosed, its discovery has sparked speculation about its significance. Was it a message from one of the children, a plea for help, or a final communication from Phillips himself? The note’s existence suggests a layer of complexity to the family’s life in hiding, hinting at the emotional weight carried by the children, who were isolated from their mother and the outside world for nearly four years.

Cat’s statement to Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reflects the profound emotional impact of the ordeal. “First and foremost, we are deeply relieved that for our tamariki this ordeal has come to an end,” she said, using the Māori word for children. “They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care.” Yet, she also expressed sorrow at the violent end to the saga: “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.”

The crayon note, though a small detail, underscores the trauma the children endured. Living in the wilderness, exposed to harsh conditions and their father’s criminal activities, they were far from the “normal” childhood Cat longed for them to have. The note may represent a fleeting attempt by one of the children to reach out, to preserve a connection with their mother, or to express something they could not say aloud. Until more details are released, its true meaning remains a poignant mystery.

A Community Divided and a Mother’s Pain

The case of Tom Phillips has long divided the Marokopa community. Some viewed him as a “freedom fighter” or a skilled survivalist defying the system, while others saw him as a reckless father endangering his children. The discovery that Phillips allegedly involved at least one child in criminal activities, such as the store break-in captured on CCTV, fueled criticism. Cat herself called his actions “child abuse,” emphasizing the toll on her children’s well-being.

The community’s response to the children’s recovery has been one of relief tempered by grief. Waitomo District Mayor John Robertson described the outcome as “the worst possible” for the community, expressing devastation at the loss of life and concern for the children’s future. Marlene McIsaac, a local resident, voiced sympathy for the children, noting, “The kids will be devastated.”

For Cat, the reunion with her children is bittersweet. She still hears their voices in her head, a constant reminder of the years stolen from them. “They have endured a long and difficult journey,” she said, requesting privacy as she works to help Jayda, Maverick, and Ember reintegrate into a stable, loving environment. The children’s exposure to their father’s lifestyle—living off the grid, committing robberies, and evading authorities—has likely left deep scars. Their cooperation with police, particularly the child who helped locate their siblings, suggests resilience but also the weight of their experiences.

Unanswered Questions and a Long Road Ahead

The investigation into Phillips’ activities continues, with police probing how he accessed firearms, quad bikes, and other resources. Authorities suspect he had outside help, a theory supported by locals who believe his survival in the wilderness for so long was unlikely without assistance. The forensic examination of the campsite, expected to last several days, may yield further clues about how the family lived and whether others were complicit in their evasion.

For Cat and her children, the focus now is on healing. The crayon note, a small but powerful symbol, may offer insight into the children’s state of mind during their years in hiding. As they begin the long journey of recovery, Cat’s love and determination to provide a stable home will be crucial. The voices she hears—those of her children—may finally find peace as they reunite, but the echoes of their ordeal will linger.

In the words of Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, the recovery of the children was “a result of incredible work by police,” but the true work now lies in rebuilding the lives of Jayda, Maverick, and Ember. For Cat, the relief of having her children back is tempered by the tragedy of how their return came to be. As she navigates this complex wave of emotions, the crayon note remains a haunting reminder of the years lost and the resilience of a family torn apart but now on the path to reunion.