A father and his children, missing for three years after vanishing into the wilderness, have captured public attention following a letter reportedly written by the father to the mother.
The story of the Marokopa children’s disappearance has drawn significant interest since the mother, Cat, publicly appealed for the return of Ember, 8, Maverick, 9, and Jayda Phillips, 11. The children have been out of sight since their father, Tom, took them into the wilderness in 2021.
In a statement, the mother mentioned a letter she believes was penned by her ex-partner, where he characterizes himself as having “a good heart” and expresses good intentions.
She posted on social media: “I have decided to share a letter written by Thomas to show that all is not as it seems.”
The letter allegedly includes Tom’s words: “I don’t know what to say or do to help you forgive me.”
The New Zealand fugitive father purportedly stated that he’s not ‘desperate to be with someone or I would have already done it’, expressing his wish to be with ‘Catherine, the woman I have been in love with for over seven years’.
According to the letter, Tom acknowledged that he ‘can’t make you forgive me’ and only Cat can ‘make that choice and I know you don’t have to’.
He stated: “I know if I ever give up trying to make things right I will regret it forever. I’m sorry for everything I have ever said or done to hurt you. These past nine months I have suffered everyday knowing I should have dealt with things better and knowing that I f***ed up.
“Hindsight is great right, or not because now I know there was a better way and I have to live with that for the rest of my life.
“You have a beautiful personality and the happiest years of my life are because of you. You have brought me so much joy and I don’t feel complete without you.”
Tom further expressed his wish that she might ‘remember the man you fell in love with and know that although I make multiple f*** ups I have a good heart and I mean well’.
He concluded with: “I know I used to make you happy, I know I can make you happy again if you let me. We get on so well most of the time and we are an awesome couple. We have an awesome family and that’s worth fighting for.”
Cat did not disclose when she received the letter but recently posted a photo of the last birthday she celebrated with her children, which was for her eldest daughter Jayda, now 11.
She explained that she is now speaking out about her anguish because she previously felt that prior efforts wouldn’t ‘help bring my babies home’.
In her social media statement, she said: “However, the police are now offering a substantial reward and a chance of immunity so I have taken courage to break my silence in the hope that anyone with any information will come forward.
“I am well aware of the hateful rumours being spread around, I only ask that you know me before you judge me.”
Police reported receiving 100 new tips since launching a renewed search for the children, with forty of those leads deemed ‘worthy’ of further investigation.
Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders remarked: “We cannot provide details while the investigation is ongoing but we are committed to getting a result as soon as possible.”
An $80,000 reward for information has been announced by the police.