
Grim update in search for missing Phoebe Bishop, 17, who vanished on way to airport as homicide cops join search
THE desperate search for missing teenager Phoebe Bishop, 17, has taken a grim turn as it enters its tenth day.
The Australian teen was supposed to board a flight on May 15 to see her boyfriend - but mysteriously she never checked in and hasn't been seen since.
10
10
She was last seen in the morning of the day of her flight, after she was driven to the airport by her two housemates, James Wood and Tanika Bromley.
The trio had been living in a derelict pad together, which cops have now declared a crime scene.
Her distressed mum, Kylie Johnson, has made a series of heartbreaking pleas begging anyone with information to come forward.
She also claimed that her daughter's sudden disappearance was out of character.
Police have launched an extensive search effort - but they have failed to locate Phoebe or any of her belongings.
And to make matters worse, homicide unit officers have now been brought in to aid the rescue mission.
The car she was brought to the airport in - a grey Hyundai ix35 - was also seized by police.
Bromley and Wood, who are said to be in a relationship, were questioned and have since been cooperating with police.
But this was all whilst officers made a series of bizarre discoveries surrounding the pairs' property.
Firstly, they revealed that there were four dead dogs found in the house.
Jay Slater investigator claims he has 'audio recording' key to disappearance & claims Spanish cops ignored evidence
Secondly, they noted the horrific stench emanating from the house.
And they also found a strange derelict bus parked outside their property with the words "Let it ride" written on it.
In another shocking twist, it was revealed that Bromley is currently facing unrelated charges for possessing a sawn-off shotgun, as well as a flick knife in public.
Despite these findings, cops have emphasised that there is no suggestion that either Bromley or Wood are involved in the teen's disappearance.
Specialist firefighters, SES crews, and police have been searching remote dirt tracks near Good Night.
They have also deployed drones to scan dense scrub and creek beds.
Bundaberg's child protection and crime teams have been leading the search, and they have now called on homicide officers to aid the efforts.
Queensland Police detective Ryan Thompson confirmed that the search had been expanded to cover a wider area.
10
He also said police have spoken to numerous individuals connected to the case.
This has been providing them with a significant amount of information, according to the detective.
He said: 'Obviously as time goes by, police have greater concerns as to her disappearance.
'There's no specific persons of interest.
'However, police are following up all avenues of inquiry.'
Pheobe was last seen around 8.30am on May 15 near Airport Drive in Bundaberg.
She was supposed to board a flight to Brisbane, and then to Perth to see her childhood sweetheart boyfriend.
Phoebe Bishop timeline
by Harvey Geh
May 14: Pheobe Bishop's last known bank transaction occurs.
May 15: Pheobe is reportedly dropped off near Bundaberg Airport's terminal by her housemates, James Wood and Tanika Bromley, intending to catch a flight to Brisbane and then to Perth to visit her boyfriend.
May 15, 8:30am: Pheobe makes a final phone call to her boyfriend before her scheduled flight. Her phone is then switched off and has remained inactive since.
May 15, post-8:30am: Pheobe fails to check in for her flight. CCTV footage confirms she did not enter the airport terminal.
May 16: Family and police initiate search efforts. Pheobe's social media accounts show no activity during this period.
May 24: Nine days after disappearing, Phoebe's distressed mum pleads the public for information. She says she is "absolutely begging anyone with any information to contact the Queensland Police Service".
May 25: The search effort is widened to cover more area and homicide officers are brought in to help.
The teen had reportedly been saving for months to buy a ticket there.
The house she was staying at is a decrepit property in Gin Gin, around 40 minutes west of Bundaberg.
Her last bank activity was recorded a day before her disappearance.
And shockingly, she has made no social media posts since she vanished.
A family member revealed that her phone had been switched off since a mysterious call to her boyfriend just moments before she was supposed to fly.
The family member said: "She didn't check in for her flight to visit her boyfriend who she spoke to on the phone at 8.30am.
10
"Her phone has been switched off from this point. She hasn't contacted anyone at all, no one has seen her."
After reviewing Pheobe's recent social media activity, police have gathered that the teen had been been 'in and out' of home for several years.
Contact with her mum was also not very frequent.
On Friday, Pheobe's mother released a heartfelt plea to the public:
But her heartbroken mum pleaded on Friday: 'It's getting harder to breathe, and the numbness that we feel at the not knowing is eating at us.
'I would do anything just to hear your voice... to have you curl up in my lap and hold you tight.'
10
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Family of missing teenager vow to 'fight for the truth' after body found following month-long search for him
The family of a Scottish teenager who disappeared more than a month ago have vowed to never give up on their 'fight for the truth' after a body was found on Friday. Cole Cooper, 19, was reported missing on May 9, prompting a major search investigation that involved helicopters, divers and financial investigators. He was last seen by his family on May 2 or 3 and was captured on CCTV at about 6am on May 4 in Longcroft, Falkirk, as he unsuccessfully tried to access his father's home after a house party. After scouring 2,000 hours of CCTV footage and speaking to more than 400 people, Police Scotland confirmed that the body of a man had been found on Friday evening in a wooded area near Kilysth Road at around 4.15pm. Now, Mr Cooper's heartbroken family have shared how they are 'living in a nightmare we can't wake up from', following the month-long search for their beloved boy. Taking to Facebook to issue a painstaking update, the family published a statement that read: 'We never gave up, and we never will give up - not until we have the answers. The fight for truth, for justice, and for Cole is not over'. The family, who described Mr Cooper as their 'world' and said they were 'completely broken', also thanked the local community for their assistance in the widespread search effort to bring their missing boy home. They added: 'To the incredible community and beyond, thank you. From the bottom of our hearts. After scouring 2,000 hours of CCTV footage and speaking to more than 400 people, Police Scotland confirmed that the body of a man had been found on Friday evening in a wooded area near Kilysth Road at around 4.15pm 'Your support through this horrendous experience has meant more than words can ever say. Every message, every shared post, every act of kindness - your generosity and compassion carried us through our darkest moments. We will never forget it'. On Friday, a Police Scotland spokesman confirmed that the body of a man had been discovered in a wooded area near Kilysth Road. It added: 'Formal identification has yet to take place however the family of missing man Cole Cooper, 19, has been informed. 'Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances.' The final sighting of Mr Cooper was at 8.45pm on May 7, on the A803 at the intersection with Cumbernauld Road, Longcroft, when he asked a school friend for a lift - which was not given. Around 5ft10ins, of medium build with brown short hair, he was last seen wearing a black puffer-style jacket with black jogging bottoms. His family described the missing boy's disappearance as 'completely out of character'. In a heartfelt plea made just two weeks ago, Mr Cooper's mother Wendy Stewart begged her son to 'come home'. She said: 'I love and miss you so so so much. Where are you son? My heart is breaking I just want a big cuddle from you son.' The worried mother also posted a touching video of Mr Cooper singing into a microphone and dancing with her, with the caption 'Please help get my gorgeous, kind loving boy back to me'. Following his shock disappearance, an online portal was established to help share footage, images and possible lines of inquiry. Detectives, who said they received 'numerous' submissions from members of the public, viewed more than 2000 hours of CCTV. Officers also reported that the investigation was being treated as a missing person's inquiry rather than a criminal probe. Chief Inspector Alex Hatrick, the local area commander, said on June 6: Our priority remains tracing Cole and getting answers for his family on his whereabouts. 'We have a dedicated team, including specialist officers and national resources, following all lines of inquiry. 'Specialist search teams as well as the air support and dive and marine units have been searching Longcroft and the surrounding area. 'I would like to thank the public for the support they've shown for this investigation and all the information provided to police. It shows the community is as committed to finding Cole as we are.' CI Hatrick also urged any members of the public with information relevant to Mr Cooper's disappearance to get in touch with the force. He said: 'I continue to urge anyone with information on Mr Cooper's movements or whereabouts to come forward. 'No matter how significant you believe that information is, it could prove vital.' Any individuals with information have been asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 828 of May 9.


Daily Mail
38 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Shock twist in Pheobe Bishop fundraiser as her mother comes out swinging against organiser: 'This hasn't been approved'
Pheobe Bishop's grieving mother has lashed out at a fundraiser claiming to raise money for the family, saying she has not approved it. Kylie Johnson took aim at the GoFundMe created in her daughter's name after authorities found human remains in the search for the missing teenager at Good Night National Scrub Park on Friday afternoon. 'This hasn't been approved or supported by the family,' Ms Johnson wrote on Facebook. The fundraiser set a target of $10,000, however only managed to draw in $24 worth of donations by the time it was called out by Ms Johnson. It has since been deleted, however another campaign has appeared in its place and received $50 in donations. The organiser admitted they were organising the GoFundMe 'independently' of Pheobe's loved ones. 'Contributions will assist in covering the time, resources, and necessary costs involved in facilitating public memorial efforts, raising awareness and coordinating community-driven support initiatives surrounding this event,' it stated. 'Professional time and administrative expenses related to the responsible management of this campaign and its associated activities will also be covered from these funds.' The genuine fundraiser is being handled by Tracey Berends and has raised more than $5,000. '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,' Ms bends wrote. '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 one's in our community. 'We would also like to be able to donate to the Y School in Bundaberg on Pheobe's behalf where Pheobe thrived from their support and guidance.' Ms Bend went on to describe Pheobe as 'a gentle soul and a generous spirit'. 'We want her legacy to live on and by paying it forward to the amazing volunteers and community,' she said. '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.' Pheobe, 17, was declared missing on May 15 after she failed to check-in for a flight from Bundaberg Airport to Western Australia to visit her boyfriend. On Friday, officers found what were believed to be the teenager's remains near Good Night National Scrub Park. The find was made in 'unforgiving' terrain southwest of Bundaberg. Investigators are also trying to recover the teenager's missing luggage but are expected to wind up their efforts on Saturday evening. Pheobe had been living in Gin Gin with couple James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, who have since been charged with Pheobe's murder and interfering with her corpse. The community held a candlelight vigil at Kolan Community Park in Gin Gin between 4pm and 6pm on Sunday with about 500 mourners wearing bright colours and butterflies in memory of Pheobe. A second candlelight vigil will be held at Buss Park in nearby Bundaberg on Monday from 5pm. During the moving vigil, Pheobe's sister Kaylea, 18, gave a tearful tribute in honour of her sister. 'Obviously, I didn't write a speech, but, um... Pheobe! 17 years was never enough for your life,' she said. 'But in the short 17 years that she was with us, god, she gave us a run for our bloody money... She was cutthroat person, but she saw the good in everyone. 'If she had a opinion about you, you were sure to find out about it, whether you liked it or not. That's just the way Pheobe was, but she was loyal to the core. 'She loved, respected, and valued her life.' Kaylea thanked all those who attended the candlelight vigil before being left unable to continue as she burst into tears. Indy, a relative of Pheobe's boyfriend, was present at the vigil and shared some words on his behalf. 'In the quiet space where your laughter once lived, your absence echoes louder than words can say,' Indy told the crowd. 'Seventeen years, a brief dance of light, yet in that time you touched hearts in many ways that will never fade. 'You were a spark - bright, bold, and unafraid, as her family have shared with us, today. A soul who embraced life with open arms. 'Now in the stillness, we hold on to the warmth of your spirit, the kindness in your eyes, the joy and your smile. 'Your journey was cut short, but your impact is yours, with every whispered memory, with every tear shed, and every heart that carries you forward, you live on. 'Rest now, dear Phoebe. In the peace you deserve, I know that you are loved forever and always.' Ms Johnson urged the Gin Gin community to 'respect' Bromley's family following the charges against her.


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I might be a maverick old sea wolf - but there is a VERY big red line I will never cross. But now I'm facing 10 years in jail. Here's why...
Thomas Goertz insists he's just what he looks like - a happy-go-lucky, well-weathered old sea salt chasing a life of adventure on the ocean wave. But while he may appear to be a modern day Jack Sparrow, Australian Federal Police allege the globetrotting German navigator is something far, far more sinister. They paint Goertz not as a loveable rogue but a cynical pirate who is prepared to smuggle international drug traffickers out of the country. Now Goertz has broken his silence to Daily Mail Australia after he was hit by criminal charges which could land him in prison for 10 years. He most wants to stress and clarify that he has never ever been involved in terrorism. Detectives have accused Goertz of helping an alleged drug supplier flee Australia by sailing him from Far North Queensland to Thailand in 2023. That alleged drug dealer, Sayet Erhan Akca, is now believed to be living in Turkey and has been named as the mastermind behind a string of anti-Semitic attacks in Sydney. Goertz is also charged with attempting to commit a federal offence (people smuggling) by agreeing to sneak another alleged drug supplier out of the Top End through the Arafura Sea. 'I'm in a bit of a predicament now,' the 51-year-old told Daily Mail Australia. 'Nobody knows the truth except me. 'All this terror-related stuff - I don't want anything to do with that. I'm not a terrorist. I don't believe in violence. Absolutely not. Not even a little bit.' Federal police have painted the globetrotting German navigator Thomas Goertz as a pirate prepared to allegedly smuggle international drug traffickers out of the country. He is pictured wearing an ankle monitor with his partner Jade Ormiston reporting on bail in Darwin last week Goertz and his girlfriend Jade Siu Ying Ormiston were arrested on January 26 on a yacht while allegedly trying to sail accused drug trafficker Hussein Chamas out of the Northern Territory. Chamas, who had pleaded not guilty to importing and conspiring to traffic a commercial quantity of drugs, had allegedly left a rehabilitation centre north of Newcastle on January 8 using forged court bail documents. The 35-year-old failed to appear in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on January 20 and was allegedly driven more than 4,000km in a campervan to Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula. Goertz and Omiston, a 42-year-old British national, were granted bail on February 18 under strict conditions including that they stay in a Darwin hotel and not go within 500m of any airport or boat mooring. Goertz was arrested again on March 21 and charged with another count of people smuggling for allegedly transporting Akca to Thailand. He was again granted bail after spending three more days in the Darwin watch house. Neither Goertz nor Ormiston has entered pleas to any charges. The Akca allegations from 2023 are more complex and complicated even further by claims the alleged fugitive coordinated anti-Semitic attacks in Sydney earlier this year. 'I heard of the terror stuff two days after I got out of the watch house,' Goertz said. 'Oh man, I was so down. I was really devastated.' Akca was arrested in early 2022 and charged with charged with dealing with more than $100,000 suspected of being the proceeds of crime as well as importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. The 32-year-old former gym and childcare centre owner was granted bail and in July 2023 was allowed to take a holiday in Queensland. He did not appear as required at Downing Centre Local Court two months later on September 28 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. By then, police allege, Akca had been on board the 17m luxury vessel Moo for a week with Goertz at the helm, sailing through Indonesia on his way to freedom in Thailand. Goertz will not publicly discuss his alleged 42-day journey with Akca until his charges have been dealt with but was happy to talk about his life before he was accused of smuggling drug dealers. He and Ormiston ran out of money to foot their hotel bill in Darwin and their bail conditions have been altered to allow them to live elsewhere in the city. Goertz met Ormiston, who was born in Hong Kong, about eight years ago in Indonesia and the couple normally lives on a sloop called Juana Lucina. He grew up in Zug in central Switzerland. As a child and young adult Goertz sailed on the Swiss lakes, the Baltic Sea and in other parts of Europe. After university he worked in sales and marketing then demolition, specialising in removing hazardous waste such as lead-based paint and asbestos. He lived in Denmark where he married and had two children. 'But the marriage and the life I had chosen did not suit me very well,' he said. 'I basically got a divorce and then came out to South East Asia in 2015 with a one-way ticket and the specific aim to go sailing and live on the water. And that's what I did.' Based in Phuket for six or seven years, Goertz said he loved 'the sailing lifestyle' but it could also be hard work. 'Most people immediately think of fancy boats and sipping champagne and cocktails at anchor and it's not at all like that,' he said. He and Ormiston lived off less than US$1,000 a month, taking jobs such as cleaning hulls, crewing charter vessels and transporting boats from port to port. Sailing boats can only be moored in Thailand for six months before they are considered imports and attract taxes. Indonesia sets that time limit as three years. Sailors for hire such as Goertz can solve that problem by taking the boat to a country such as Malaysia, clearing Customs, then returning. Goertz has sailed non-stop across the north Pacific from Singapore to Mexico. He was trapped for five days inside a hurricane during that 67-day voyage. An eight-month trip from Phuket to Cape Town in South Africa included three months suck in Mauritius waiting for the winds to change. 'When we weren't working, we were on our own boat,' Goertz said. 'We lived on it and we were sailing all around the islands in Thailand and Indonesia and Malaysia. 'Just going from island to island - island hopping is the phrase. It's fantastic.' Goertz, who is still close to his son and daughter, calls himself as an 'anti-authoritarian hedonist' on his Instagram account and agrees that is an accurate description. 'I'm living a lifestyle on a boat,' he said. 'So finding pleasure is the most important thing we can do at sea. 'And the pleasure goes many, many ways. Having some beers on a beach with your feet in the sand is extremely pleasurable. Sailing through the night is amazing. 'It's those moments you always look for. And since that is the meaning of life for us, I thought I'm as close to a hedonist as I can get.' On his 50th birthday in July 2023, Goertz declared in a social media post: 'I can't believe that it has already been half a century of mischief and adventure.' Asked about that post, Goertz laughed and said, 'That is a perfect description.' 'It sounds a bit naughty but you are always dodging officials,' he said. 'You're always running with your papers somewhere. 'It's the only reason I actually know what year it is because at some point I have to check out of the country.' Goertz has not spoken to federal police about Akca and won't say for now how he came to be associated with him or Chamas in the alleged criminal conspiracies. 'When I was approached the first time it sounded like an extremely interesting opportunity and a challenge,' he said. 'I've done many interesting trips [in the past] but nothing illegal.' Goertz and Ormiston are now under curfews which keep them indoors from 7pm to 7am and are required to wear ankle monitors. 'Here in Darwin these five months, this is longest I've been ashore, ever,' Goertz said. 'I'm used to the swell and the movement of the boat and the noises it makes and now we're inside four walls. Nothing is moving and there's no sounds you have to listen to.' Goertz and Ormiston are due to face Darwin Local Court again on July 22. Chamas is due to appear in court on charges of not complying with his bail in June and August and will face trial on the drug matters next year.