Pheobe Bishop: Police confirm human remains found in Good Night Scrub National Park near Gin Gin
Police have given an update about missing 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop, whose body they believe was discovered at Good Night Scrub National Park near Gin Gin on Friday.
Wide Bay Burnett Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield confirmed human remains have been found and a crime scene has been established.
Det-Insp Mansfield said police have been in contact with Pheobe's family, who have advised them of this devastating development.
He confirmed that additional testing and examination will take place on Saturday, with the hope that they will be able to formally identify Pheobe's remains.
'We always wanted to bring Pheobe home, and we believe that this is the first step in that process,' Det-Insp Mansfield said.
'We do hope that this development, coupled with the arrests...will bring some level of closure to Pheobe's family so they can begin to move forward with their grieving process.'
The human remains were discovered in 'vast' bushland that has an 'unforgiving terrain' approximately 9km from the original search location.
Det-Insp Mansfield confirmed the human remains were not buried.
As a result of telecommunications data and other snippets of information shared with police, they were able to find the location independently.
Police have still not been able to locate Pheobe's luggage.
Queensland Police charged James Wood, 34, and Tamika Bromley, 33, with one count each of murder and two counts each of interfering with a corpse.
Mr Wood and Ms Bromley were living with Pheobe in a rundown, garbage-strewn house in the small Queensland town of Gin Gin when she vanished.
The pair claimed they dropped her to Bundaberg airport in their grey Hyundai ix35 before she vanished on May 15. But police say CCTV at the airport proved she never made it.
On May 21, police declared the teenager's disappearance as suspicious. Her home and the car she drove in with her two housemates were both declared crime scenes.
On Wednesday this week, police announced they were calling off the 'physical search' for Pheobe. They later arrested Mr Wood before releasing him without charge.
On Thursday, police charged both Mr Wood and Mr Bromley. They both received mentions in Bundaberg Magistrates Court before being remanded to reappear on August 11.
At 2.30pm on Friday, officers discovered what they believe is Pheobe's body.
A vigil will be held for the 17-year-old on Sunday afternoon at Kolan Community Park in Gin Gin.
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9 News
5 hours ago
- 9 News
Pheobe Bishop 'lit up' every room she walked into, best friend says
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Tributes have begun to pour in for Pheobe Bishop after police searching for the missing Bundaberg teenager found human remains. Police today confirmed the remains, found yesterday on a back road near the Good Night Scrub National Park, about an hour away from Pheobe's home in Gin Gin, are human. Further testing is being carried out, but police believe they belong to the 17-year-old. Tributes have begun to pour in for Pheobe Bishop. (Nine) Her mother, Kylie Johnson, said the news has ripped her apart. "I didn't think my heart could break anymore than it did when you went missing, or when the charges were laid but this, this is ripping me apart," she said yesterday. Pheobe's best friend, Mikayla Howarth, has paid tribute and set up a floral memorial in Camden, in Sydney's south-west. "I've never met anyone in my entire life who had such a kind heart that she had," Howarth told 9News. "She was so beautiful, and every room she walked into just lit up, and she was just so happy." Pheobe's community is holding a candlelight vigil tomorrow in Gin Gin. People are being asked to wear bright colours and butterflies. "I think the community is absolutely reeling," Bundaberg mayor Helen Blackburn said. "We've had a few horrific weeks here in our Bundaberg region, and this is very unlike anything that we've had to experience before." Pheobe's best friend, Mikayla Howarth, has paid tribute, (Nine) Bouquets and letters are piling up on the road where Pheobe is believed to have been last seen, near Bundaberg Airport. "Forever 17," some of the letters read. Pheobe's housemates, 34-year-old James Wood and his partner, 33-year-old Tanika Bromley, were charged with one count of murder and two counts each of interfering with a corpse after they were arrested in Bundaberg on Thursday night. Pheobe went missing after she failed to check in and board her flight to Western Australia from Bundaberg Airport on May 15. Three crime scenes have been declared — Pheobe's home she shared with her housemates in Gin Gin, her housemate's grey Hyundai and the site where the remains were found near Good Night Scrub National Park. Investigations remain ongoing. Police continue to appeal for any information about Pheobe or the movement of her housemate's grey Hyundai IX35 with registration 414EW3 between May 15 to 18 in the greater Gin Gin area. bundaberg queensland national Australia missing persons murder courts crime police CONTACT US Auto news:Is this the next Subaru WRX? Mysterious performance car teased.
Sky News AU
6 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Donations pour in for fundraiser set up in memory of Pheobe Bishop with money set to be devoted to support community services
A fundraiser has been set up in memory of 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop, after police located human remains in their search for the missing teenager. However, instead of the money going towards the family of Pheobe, the touching decision has been made to direct the money towards an important cause in what has been described as a way to make a "real impact" in honour of her. The teenager was reported missing more than three weeks ago in the regional Queensland town of Gin Gin after she mysteriously vanished hours before she was due to catch a flight from Bundaberg Airport to Western Australia to visit her boyfriend. Detectives on Thursday charged her housemates James Wood, 34, and his partner Tanika Bromley, 33, with Pheobe's alleged murder and tampering of her body. Then about 24 hours later, police confirmed they had found suspected human remains in an area near Good Night Scrub National Park on Friday afternoon. The fundraiser was set up by family friend Tracey Berends, who said it has beencreated in order to "raise awareness for missing persons and children". "On May 15 2025, our world was shattered when Pheobe Bishop, a bright, kind-hearted, and deeply loved young woman, was taken from us far too soon. Her life was tragically cut short, and those responsible are now in custody," a message on the official Gofundme page reads. "After speaking with Pheobe's family, we have decided to honour her memory in a way that reflects the compassion and light she brought into the lives of so many. "This GoFundMe has been created as a way for our community to donate and support the services like the SES who volunteer their time without reimbursement and have played an integral part of finding missing loved ones in our community." The fundraiser has also pledged to donate to the YSchool in Bundaberg where Pheobe attended. Pheobe's mother Kylie Johnson posted on Facebook that the fundraiser was "supported by the family". "Everyone is wanting to assist and this is how we can give back in honour of Phee," she said. Ms Berends said it was "more than a fundraiser" and that all funds raised "will be donated to these carefully chosen community groups that work to support our Wide Bay community". "This is more than a fundraiser—this is a tribute to a beautiful life, and a call to action to protect the most vulnerable in our communities. "Please donate if you are able, and share this campaign so we can make a real impact in Phoebe's honour. Let us come together, in grief and in hope, to ensure Pheobe's light continues to shine." In the hours since the fundraiser was published, more than 50 people have already donated, while more than $2800 has been raised towards the $17,000 target.
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Police hunt for missing luggage after teen's body found
Police will continue to comb unforgiving terrain where the remains of a missing teenager were found as they attempt to recover a key item to their murder investigation, her luggage. James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were charged three weeks to the day after 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop missed a flight and vanished in southern Queensland. Officers discovered what are believed to be the teenager's remains about 2.30pm on Friday near Good Night Scrub National Park, about 280km northeast of Brisbane and nine kilometres from the original search site. Police allege Wood and Bromley moved Pheobe's body a number of times. Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield revealed on Saturday that the remains were not buried but did not give specifics of the scene. "The remains were found in bushland ... coupled with snippets of information and telecommunications data; that's allowed us to find this location," he said. "It's an unforgiving terrain." Detectives have set up a crime scene and continue to appeal for further information. Insp Mansfield confirmed the 17-year-old's luggage had not been located. He said forensic searches of a home in Gin Gin, where the girl lived, had not identified anything significant. "However that scene is complex, we are still waiting on a number of forensic results to come back from that examination," Insp Mansfield said. Officers have been in contact with Pheobe's family, with her mother Kylie Johnson quick to share her grief on social media. "I didn't think my heart could break anymore than it did when you went missing, or when the charges were laid but this! This is ripping me apart ..." she posted on Facebook. Wood and Bromley were housemates with Pheobe on the property at Gin Gin, a quiet regional community near Bundaberg left reeling from the tragedy. "There is a sense of 'this wouldn't happen here'," Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn told AAP. "We believe our community to be kind and accepting. "To have this tragedy happen in our region ... it's been very difficult trying to make sense of it." The community has thrown its arms around Pheobe's family, with floral tributes laid outside the property she shared with Wood and Bromley. A candlelight vigil has been organised on Sunday where locals will pay tribute to the beloved teen. "We now need to come together as a community, support and care for one another as we try to move forward," Cr Blackburn said. Pheobe was last seen near Bundaberg airport about 8.30am on May 15 after booking a trip to Western Australia to see her boyfriend. Police allege Wood and Bromley drove Pheobe close to the airport but no one got out of the car. Cr Blackburn said it had been "heart-wrenching" after locals had held on to hope for weeks. The Gin Gin community had rallied around the missing teen's family during the search with a Leave the Lights On for Pheobe campaign. Some posted photos on social media of their front lights switched on "to guide Pheobe home". Wood and Bromley have been remanded in custody ahead of their next Bundaberg Magistrates Court appearance on August 11. Police will continue to comb unforgiving terrain where the remains of a missing teenager were found as they attempt to recover a key item to their murder investigation, her luggage. James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were charged three weeks to the day after 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop missed a flight and vanished in southern Queensland. Officers discovered what are believed to be the teenager's remains about 2.30pm on Friday near Good Night Scrub National Park, about 280km northeast of Brisbane and nine kilometres from the original search site. Police allege Wood and Bromley moved Pheobe's body a number of times. Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield revealed on Saturday that the remains were not buried but did not give specifics of the scene. "The remains were found in bushland ... coupled with snippets of information and telecommunications data; that's allowed us to find this location," he said. "It's an unforgiving terrain." Detectives have set up a crime scene and continue to appeal for further information. Insp Mansfield confirmed the 17-year-old's luggage had not been located. He said forensic searches of a home in Gin Gin, where the girl lived, had not identified anything significant. "However that scene is complex, we are still waiting on a number of forensic results to come back from that examination," Insp Mansfield said. Officers have been in contact with Pheobe's family, with her mother Kylie Johnson quick to share her grief on social media. "I didn't think my heart could break anymore than it did when you went missing, or when the charges were laid but this! This is ripping me apart ..." she posted on Facebook. Wood and Bromley were housemates with Pheobe on the property at Gin Gin, a quiet regional community near Bundaberg left reeling from the tragedy. "There is a sense of 'this wouldn't happen here'," Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn told AAP. "We believe our community to be kind and accepting. "To have this tragedy happen in our region ... it's been very difficult trying to make sense of it." The community has thrown its arms around Pheobe's family, with floral tributes laid outside the property she shared with Wood and Bromley. A candlelight vigil has been organised on Sunday where locals will pay tribute to the beloved teen. "We now need to come together as a community, support and care for one another as we try to move forward," Cr Blackburn said. Pheobe was last seen near Bundaberg airport about 8.30am on May 15 after booking a trip to Western Australia to see her boyfriend. Police allege Wood and Bromley drove Pheobe close to the airport but no one got out of the car. Cr Blackburn said it had been "heart-wrenching" after locals had held on to hope for weeks. The Gin Gin community had rallied around the missing teen's family during the search with a Leave the Lights On for Pheobe campaign. Some posted photos on social media of their front lights switched on "to guide Pheobe home". Wood and Bromley have been remanded in custody ahead of their next Bundaberg Magistrates Court appearance on August 11. Police will continue to comb unforgiving terrain where the remains of a missing teenager were found as they attempt to recover a key item to their murder investigation, her luggage. James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were charged three weeks to the day after 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop missed a flight and vanished in southern Queensland. Officers discovered what are believed to be the teenager's remains about 2.30pm on Friday near Good Night Scrub National Park, about 280km northeast of Brisbane and nine kilometres from the original search site. Police allege Wood and Bromley moved Pheobe's body a number of times. Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield revealed on Saturday that the remains were not buried but did not give specifics of the scene. "The remains were found in bushland ... coupled with snippets of information and telecommunications data; that's allowed us to find this location," he said. "It's an unforgiving terrain." Detectives have set up a crime scene and continue to appeal for further information. Insp Mansfield confirmed the 17-year-old's luggage had not been located. He said forensic searches of a home in Gin Gin, where the girl lived, had not identified anything significant. "However that scene is complex, we are still waiting on a number of forensic results to come back from that examination," Insp Mansfield said. Officers have been in contact with Pheobe's family, with her mother Kylie Johnson quick to share her grief on social media. "I didn't think my heart could break anymore than it did when you went missing, or when the charges were laid but this! This is ripping me apart ..." she posted on Facebook. Wood and Bromley were housemates with Pheobe on the property at Gin Gin, a quiet regional community near Bundaberg left reeling from the tragedy. "There is a sense of 'this wouldn't happen here'," Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn told AAP. "We believe our community to be kind and accepting. "To have this tragedy happen in our region ... it's been very difficult trying to make sense of it." The community has thrown its arms around Pheobe's family, with floral tributes laid outside the property she shared with Wood and Bromley. A candlelight vigil has been organised on Sunday where locals will pay tribute to the beloved teen. "We now need to come together as a community, support and care for one another as we try to move forward," Cr Blackburn said. Pheobe was last seen near Bundaberg airport about 8.30am on May 15 after booking a trip to Western Australia to see her boyfriend. Police allege Wood and Bromley drove Pheobe close to the airport but no one got out of the car. Cr Blackburn said it had been "heart-wrenching" after locals had held on to hope for weeks. The Gin Gin community had rallied around the missing teen's family during the search with a Leave the Lights On for Pheobe campaign. Some posted photos on social media of their front lights switched on "to guide Pheobe home". Wood and Bromley have been remanded in custody ahead of their next Bundaberg Magistrates Court appearance on August 11. Police will continue to comb unforgiving terrain where the remains of a missing teenager were found as they attempt to recover a key item to their murder investigation, her luggage. James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were charged three weeks to the day after 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop missed a flight and vanished in southern Queensland. Officers discovered what are believed to be the teenager's remains about 2.30pm on Friday near Good Night Scrub National Park, about 280km northeast of Brisbane and nine kilometres from the original search site. Police allege Wood and Bromley moved Pheobe's body a number of times. Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield revealed on Saturday that the remains were not buried but did not give specifics of the scene. "The remains were found in bushland ... coupled with snippets of information and telecommunications data; that's allowed us to find this location," he said. "It's an unforgiving terrain." Detectives have set up a crime scene and continue to appeal for further information. Insp Mansfield confirmed the 17-year-old's luggage had not been located. He said forensic searches of a home in Gin Gin, where the girl lived, had not identified anything significant. "However that scene is complex, we are still waiting on a number of forensic results to come back from that examination," Insp Mansfield said. Officers have been in contact with Pheobe's family, with her mother Kylie Johnson quick to share her grief on social media. "I didn't think my heart could break anymore than it did when you went missing, or when the charges were laid but this! This is ripping me apart ..." she posted on Facebook. Wood and Bromley were housemates with Pheobe on the property at Gin Gin, a quiet regional community near Bundaberg left reeling from the tragedy. "There is a sense of 'this wouldn't happen here'," Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn told AAP. "We believe our community to be kind and accepting. "To have this tragedy happen in our region ... it's been very difficult trying to make sense of it." The community has thrown its arms around Pheobe's family, with floral tributes laid outside the property she shared with Wood and Bromley. A candlelight vigil has been organised on Sunday where locals will pay tribute to the beloved teen. "We now need to come together as a community, support and care for one another as we try to move forward," Cr Blackburn said. Pheobe was last seen near Bundaberg airport about 8.30am on May 15 after booking a trip to Western Australia to see her boyfriend. Police allege Wood and Bromley drove Pheobe close to the airport but no one got out of the car. Cr Blackburn said it had been "heart-wrenching" after locals had held on to hope for weeks. The Gin Gin community had rallied around the missing teen's family during the search with a Leave the Lights On for Pheobe campaign. Some posted photos on social media of their front lights switched on "to guide Pheobe home". Wood and Bromley have been remanded in custody ahead of their next Bundaberg Magistrates Court appearance on August 11.
