“Every Day I Hope You Come Home”: Mother of Marokopa Fugitive Tom Phillips Writes Heartfelt Letter

A Family Breaks Its Silence

For the first time since Tom Phillips vanished into the remote Marokopa bushland with his three children, his family has spoken publicly, breaking years of silence with a desperate plea for his return. In an emotional first episode of Paddy Gower Has Issues, the Phillips family appeared on camera to share their heartbreak, their fears, and their hope that Tom — and the children Jayda, Maverick, and Ember — will finally come home.

At the centre of this plea is Tom’s mother, Julia Phillips, who has written a handwritten letter addressed directly to her son. The words, read aloud by his sister Rozzi, are raw, vulnerable, and filled with the pain of a mother who longs for nothing more than to embrace her child again.

The Letter From a Mother’s Heart

Julia’s letter, described by Rozzi as “from a mother’s heart, just to her son,” is not a statement for the media or the authorities. It is a deeply personal attempt to reach Tom, bypassing the noise of headlines and police bulletins.

“Every day I hope you come home,” Julia writes, her words trembling with both grief and love. She speaks not only to Tom, but also to her grandchildren, who have not been seen in public since their father took them into hiding.

“To Jayda, Maverick, and Ember,” she continues, “you are missed beyond words. Your family wants nothing more than to see you safe, happy, and back where you belong.”

The letter is at once a plea, a prayer, and a mother’s attempt to pierce through the isolation of the bush and the walls her son has built around himself.

The Disappearance That Stunned New Zealand

Tom Phillips first made headlines in 2021 when he disappeared with his three children. At the time, police launched extensive searches, scouring the rugged terrain of Marokopa and surrounding areas. Despite sightings and investigations, Tom has managed to evade capture, raising the children in secrecy and sparking ongoing debate across New Zealand about the case.

Authorities have described the disappearance as a “complex and concerning” situation, balancing the need to bring the children home safely with the challenge of navigating Tom’s determination to stay hidden. Over the years, sporadic sightings and rumors have surfaced, but no confirmed return has ever taken place.

The case has polarized public opinion. Some sympathize with Tom, believing he acted out of a misguided attempt to protect or shield his children. Others condemn him for robbing the children of a normal life and denying them access to their wider family.

A Family’s Pain

For Julia and the rest of the Phillips family, the disappearance has been nothing short of devastating. They describe the anguish of not knowing whether the children are safe, healthy, or thriving. They speak of birthdays missed, milestones unseen, and the constant ache of absence.

“It’s a hole in our lives that nothing can fill,” Rozzi said on the program. “Mum’s letter is really just that — a mother’s heart speaking to her son. It’s about love, not judgment.”

The family made the difficult decision to go public in the hope that Tom might see or hear their words and feel moved to respond. For them, the risk of staying silent any longer outweighed the vulnerability of opening up their grief to the nation.

A National Audience

The interview aired on Paddy Gower Has Issues, giving the family a national platform. Host Paddy Gower described the family’s appearance as one of the most emotional moments in the show’s history. “You could feel the love, the pain, and the desperation in every word,” Gower said.

Clips of Julia’s letter quickly circulated online, sparking discussion and sympathy. Many viewers admitted being moved to tears by her words. Others expressed frustration that the case has dragged on for years without resolution, with police searches yielding no permanent results.

What Comes Next

Authorities continue to appeal for information about Tom’s whereabouts. But for Julia and her family, the hope lies not in police work or public speculation, but in the possibility that Tom himself will finally listen.

“Tom, if you hear this,” Julia wrote, “please come home. For me. For your children. For all of us who love you. It’s never too late.”

The words hang heavy with both sorrow and hope. Whether Tom will answer remains uncertain.

Conclusion: A Plea Across the Silence

The Phillips family’s decision to step into the public eye is more than a media appearance. It is an act of desperation, of love, and of hope. Julia’s handwritten letter is a reminder that beneath the headlines and legal complexities lies a family fractured by absence and longing for reunion.

For New Zealand, the story of Tom Phillips remains one of mystery and heartbreak. For Julia, it is simpler than that: a mother’s plea to her son, echoing across the silence of the bush — “Every day I hope you come home.”