Missing Marokopa family found safe and well

By RNZ.co.nz. Republished with permission.

Police say Tom Phillips and his three children Jayda, Maverick and Ember have all been located safe and well this morning in Marokopa today.

Clockwise from top left, Thomas Phillips, Jayda Jin, Ember Phillips and  Maverick Callum-Phillips.
(clockwise from top left) Tom Phillips, Jayda Phillips, Ember Phillips and Maverick Callam-PhillipsĀ Photo:Ā Supplied / NZ Police

Phillips, 34, and his three young children, Jayda Jin, 8, Maverick Callum-Phillips, 6, and Ember Phillips, 5, were last seen by family at Marokopa on 11 September.

The alarm was raised after Phillips’ vehicle was found on a beach the following day.

In a brief statement, police said they had been found and further information will be provided this afternoon.

Searchers combed the area for the King county family for almost two weeksĀ before police suspended the search last week.

While there were concerns the family might have been all swept off the beach as the sea was particularly wild, the Phillipps family said that they hoped Tom had taken the children camping somewhere and that they were safe – but that they had no knowledge that he planned to do this.

– more to come

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