Tom Phillips and his three children have been missing since December 2021, and for the first time, his family have spoken out about their disappearance.
On the first episode of 'Paddy Gower Has Issues' season two, Gower attempts to “solve this tragedy once and for all.”
He speaks to an emotional Rozzi Phillips, Tom’s sister, asking whether she has had any contact with her brother in the years since his disappearance.
“No, I haven’t,” she responds.
Given the chance to say anything to her brother, Rozzi breaks down in tears: “I miss you, and I miss being part of your life. You’re very special to me and you’re my friend as well as my brother."
I love you and it’s okay. I really want to see you again.
Speaking about her nieces and nephew - Jayda, Ember and Maverick - Rozzi says she’s proud to be their aunty, and all she asks is to see them again and be part of their lives.
Tom’s mother, Julia, also shared a personal note, read by Rozzi on the show.
The letter, obtained by Stuff reads: “Tom, I feel really sad that you thought you had to do this, not considering how much we love you and could support you. It hurts every time I see photos of the children and of you.”
Julia added that seeing their things left behind makes her wonder “what could have been” if Tom hadn’t disappeared.
She said she misses her grandchildren, and that the family “wake up every day hoping today will be the day you all come home.”
For the last four years, it’s believed Tom and the children have been living in the bush, constantly in hiding and moving frequently.
Their disappearance was reported to police in January 2022. Since then, a reward of $80,000 had been offered in June 2024, for information on their whereabouts.
The last confirmed sighting was in October 2024, near Marokopa on the west coast of the North Island.
