Summarised by Centrist
Tom Phillips, who vanished with his three children in December 2021, has been spotted in the wilderness around the small town of Marokopa, and locals believe he’s receiving help. Phillips and his kids—Jayda, 11, Maverick, 9, and Ember, 8—were last seen on October 3 by teenage pig hunters. They were dressed in camouflage and carrying large backpacks.
Despite the family’s ability to find food from wild boars and livestock, surviving through harsh winters seems impossible without help. One local said, “You can’t stay warm and dry out there for that long with three small kids—someone must be helping him.”
The family’s disappearance has stirred concern among residents, who believe police acted too slowly when Phillips was last spotted.
Locals say the wilderness is tough to navigate, especially for long periods, and question why the police didn’t involve the military. “I hope there’s not a shoot-out,” one person remarked, concerned for the children’s safety.
Phillips is also wanted for questioning over a 2023 armed robbery and is considered dangerous. Despite an $80,000 reward offered for information on the children’s whereabouts, the search has so far yielded no results.
