Locals embrace family shattered by teen girl tragedy
A tightly knit community is rallying around the family of Pheobe Bishop after her two housemates were accused of murdering the 17-year-old.
James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were charged three weeks to the day after Pheobe missed a flight and vanished in southern Queensland.
Police allege Wood and Bromley have moved Pheobe's body a number of times before they found her remains in a nearby national park on Friday.
Police confirmed the remains, believed to be Pheobe, were found about 2.30pm on Friday near Good Night Scrub National Park, southwest of Bundaberg.
Pheobe's mother Kylie Johnson was quick to share her grief on social media.
"I didn't think my heart could break anymore then it did when you went missing, or when the charges were laid but this! This is ripping me apart ..." she posted on Facebook.
Detectives have set up a crime scene where the body was found and continue to appeal for further information.
Wood and Bromley were housemates with Pheobe on a property at Gin Gin, a quiet regional community near Bundaberg that has been 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 Gin Gin 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 exited the car.
Pheobe was allegedly murdered and her body moved more than once from the Good Night Scrub National Park, an hour's drive from the airport.
Earlier on Friday, Ms Johnson said her family had been "shattered" by news of the murder charges but vowed to bring her daughter home.
"We WILL bring Phee home I don't care how long it takes but we will get her home," she posted on Friday.
Cr Blackburn said it had been "heart-wrenching" after the community 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.
Locals posted photos on social media of their front lights switched on "to guide Pheobe home".
"There is shock in the community but Pheobe's family have got devastation," Cr Blackburn said.
"This was someone's daughter, sister, cousin, aunty. There are family and friends out there who are hurting.
"Their lives will never be the same again."
Wood and Bromley have been remanded in custody ahead of their next Bundaberg Magistrates Court appearance on August 11.
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The Advertiser
4 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.
West Australian
8 hours ago
- West Australian
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 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.
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Perth Now
Police give devastating new update in Pheobe Bishop search
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 bring some level of closure to Pheobe's family so they can begin to move forward with their grieving process.' Murder charges following Pheobe Bishop's disappearance have left her family and community reeling. (HANDOUT/QUEENSLAND POLICE) Credit: AAP 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. James Wood, 34. Credit: Unknown / Supplied Tanika Bromley, 33. Credit: Unknown / Supplied 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.
