Police have released the first images of what they believe is one of many campsites where a New Zealand father on the run hid with his three children for years.
Two of Tom Phillips' children were found at the site in the Waikato region on Monday, hours after he was killed in a shootout with the police.
Police found them with the help of the third child, who was with Phillips when he died. They said the children are doing well, but will take time to recover from the ordeal.
Shortly before Christmas in 2021, Phillips disappeared with his children – Jayda, Maverick, and Ember, then aged eight, seven, and five respectively. Police believe he did so after losing legal custody of them.
Phillips had no regard for the children's safety and quite literally put [them] in harm's way, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told the media on Tuesday, adding that they are now in the care of authorities.
A stash of firearms and ammunition were also found at the campsite, which is surrounded by dense vegetation. Two quad bikes are pictured parked among trees.
By the time authorities arrived at the site, the search for the two children had been underway for nearly 12 hours.
In the early hours of Monday, police responded to a report of an attempted burglary at a rural farm supply shop in the small town of Piopio. That is where they entered into a shootout with Mr. Phillips.
An officer was seriously injured after Phillips fired at him with a high-powered rifle. Mr. Chambers stated police have absolutely no doubt it was intended to kill the officer.
The injured officer has undergone a series of surgeries but still has a long road to recovery ahead of him, Mr. Chambers said.
Phillips' case has captivated New Zealand since he became a fugitive nearly four years ago, and although recent events suggest the mystery has drawn to a close, police are still searching for answers.
They are investigating how Phillips, believed to be in his late 30s, evaded capture despite a nationwide search and multiple sightings, as well as how he accessed firearms.
Authorities did not address questions about whether the children's mother, known only as Cat in media reports, and Phillips' extended family are in contact with the children.
Our priority is to make sure these children are looked after and that there is a careful plan, with everyone becoming involved at the right time, Police Minister Mark Mitchell said.
Warwick Morehu from New Zealand's Ministry for Children added, These children will be provided with whatever help or assistance they need for however long they may need it.
On Monday, the children's mother expressed her deep relief that this ordeal has come to an end after missing her children dearly every day for nearly four years.
