Mark Tromp has released a statement following last week’s bizarre chain of events that captured and confused the nation.
Mark was found by police near Wangaratta, Victoria, on Saturday after a five-day man hunt.
He and his family fled their Silvan home on Tuesday last week without their phones or bank cards, with the parents understood to have feared somebody was after them.
Son Mitchell was first to abandon the car and head home, before sisters Ella and Riana also left their parents.
Ella has been charged with stealing a car to make their way home. Riana was discovered on Tuesday afternoon in the back of a stranger's ute in Goulburn in a reportedly catatonic state.
Two days later, wife Jacoba was found wandering in Yass. Both Riana and Jacoba were taken into the care of local mental health services.
In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, Mark said that "without reservation, I apologise for the hurt and concern caused by these events."
"In recent days my family has been through a difficult period," he said.
"We will soon be reunited together, I hope that we will begin to make sense of our ordeal and return to a normal life."
"I am conscious of the burder these events have placed upon our extended family, friends and the community resources devoted to our aid."
He also expressed his gratitude to police and medical professionals who took care of them.
"More than anything, my family and I need time to recover and receive appropriate assistance, including mental health services."
Top Comments
I think Mamamia, that you need to add another little yellow haired face to the bottom of each of your posts; a WTF face...????
I'm going to say what's on everyone's mind. What kind of family has two daughters that know how to steal cars?
Ha, made me laugh. I think it's more likely they got lucky and the doors were unlocked with keys in the car or nearby than that they were criminal masterminds hot wiring their getaway vehicles. It's the country - people leave vehicles unlocked and keys nearby. Not everyone (not even most) but enough that it's easier to steal a car than in, say, Bourke St. Combine easier access with disinhibition due to fear and/or mental health issues and away you go.