Outrage over fundraisers as Pheobe's family hits out
Shortly after Pheobe Bishop was remembered as a bright and bold spark at a memorial vigil in the Queensland town of Gin Gin, her mother revealed that a fundraising page had been created that was not approved by the family.
The GoFundMe page was established on Sunday and had a target to raise $10,000.
The 17-year-old was missing for three weeks, and her housemates James Wood, 34 and Tanika Bromley, 33, have been charged with her murder.
'THIS HASN'T BEEN APPROVED OR SUPPORTED BY THE FAMILY,' the 17-year-old's furious mother, Kylie Johnson, wrote on Facebook when she shared the unofficial fundraising page.
The post was quickly flooded with comments encouraging Ms Johnson to report the page.
The organiser of the unwanted fundraiser commented on the post, saying she didn't intend for it to be a scam.
'It was a genuine act of trying to help. Whatever money was donated was going to you to do as you see fit,' Catherine Stevenson wrote. Kylie Johnson shared the unsupported GoFundMe page on her Facebook. Credit: Facebook
The page has since been taken down.
Another fundraiser, which misspells Pheobe's name, has been created by a man from Melbourne to assist in 'covering costs in facilitating public memorial efforts... and other community-driven support initiatives', which is still live on GoFundMe.
The organiser acknowledged that the fundraiser is not affiliated or endorsed by Pheobe's family.
The official GoFundMe page supported by Pheobe's family has received almost 150 donations, raising $5,800.
A message shared on the page says that in honour of Pheobe's memory, the proceeds will be donated to support services such as the SES, who 'volunteer their time without reimbursement and have played an integral part of finding missing loved ones in our community.'
Funds will also be donated to the Y School in Bundaberg, where Pheobe attended.
'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,' a message on the page reads.
The goal is to raise $17,000.
The Nightly has reached out to GoFundMe for comment.
Ms Johnson also shared that a 4x4 convoy will take place next Sunday to honour one of Pheobe's passions.
'Anyone that knew Phee knew that she loved the outdoors, she got her passion for cars from her poppy and dad and her passion for 4x4ing and camping from me and her brothers,' Ms Johnson wrote on Facebook.
Pheobe's friends and the wider Gin Gin community have been invited to meet at the Gin Gin Motel and drive to Bundaberg Airport.
People have been encouraged to wear bright colours or clothing with butterflies.
On Saturday, police confirmed human remains were found in the Good Night National Park near Gin Gin and a crime scene was established.
Wide Bay Burnett Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said additional testing and examination had to take place to formally identify the remains as Pheobe's.
'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.'
On Thursday, 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.
At 2.30pm on Friday, officers discovered what they believe is Pheobe's body.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
9 hours ago
- News.com.au
Body found in search for 21-year old Finn Coyle who has been missing in the Perth hills
A body has been found in the search of a missing 21-year-old man who was last seen leaving his home on foot seven days ago. Finn Coyle, 21, failed to return after he left his family home on Tanner Rd in Carmel, in the Perth hills, about 2.30pm on Friday. Dozens of police and SES volunteers joined Mr Coyle's family and friends to scour dense bushland for several days using drones, dogs and horses. Police confirmed they found a man's body on a Carmel property about 8.30am on Thursday. A police spokesman said formal identification had not yet taken place, but they believed it was the missing 21-year old man. 'The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner,' a spokesman said. During the search, a drone played a recorded message from Mr Coyle's mother. 'It's mum here. The police and volunteers are looking for you,' she said in the message. 'You're not in any trouble. If you hear or see the drone, please walk towards it.' His brother Connor Coyle told media Finn had been struggling with mental health and they were worried about him because it was completely out of character. 'It's entirely unlike him,' he said. 'We're all very worried for his wellbeing and his welfare, he's known to spend a lot of time in the local bush in the hill's area. 'I think he's very resourceful and he's a great young man, but he's suffering a lot of mental health. 'We're losing a generation of young people to mental health.' Detective Sergeant Brad Robinson said Mr Coyle was a 'resourceful fella' that liked being in the bush and search efforts were concentrated near his home.
West Australian
9 hours ago
- West Australian
Family gives back after tragic end for missing girl
Pheobe Bishop's family is aiming to give back to a community that rallied around them in their darkest hour. A fundraiser backed by Pheobe's family has been organised to support local volunteer groups in what they hope creates a fitting legacy for the 17-year-old. Pheobe went missing on her way to Bundaberg airport in southern Queensland on May 15. Her housemates James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were charged with her murder on June 6, more than three weeks after Pheobe disappeared. Officers discovered what were believed to be the teenager's remains later that day near a national park, an hour's drive from Bundaberg airport. The community rallied around Pheobe's family, with hundreds attending two emotional candlelight vigils. Family friend Tracey Berends hoped the fundraiser would help return the love. She organised the GoFundMe campaign that has received the family's backing, with money to be raised for local volunteer and not-for-profit groups. More than $7000 had been donated by late Thursday, with the local SES volunteer group and Pheobe's former school set to benefit. "The GoFundMe was created after speaking with Pheobe's family with the sole purpose of supporting local charities and volunteer organisations that were involved in the search for her, particularly the SES," Ms Berends told AAP. "These volunteers worked tirelessly on their hands and knees through difficult terrain and did so without expecting anything in return. "It's important to the family that these selfless efforts are acknowledged and supported in Pheobe's name." Pheobe's former school - the not-for-profit learning centre Y School in Bundaberg that is assisted by volunteers - has also been targeted for the fundraiser. "There is absolutely no financial gain being taken by the family," Ms Berends said. "Their only hope is to create something beautiful and lasting in remembrance of Pheobe, a way to honour her kind, gentle spirit and the impact she had on so many lives." Pheobe's mother Kylie Johnson said the fundraiser was a way to acknowledge a school where her daughter thrived as well as the SES volunteers who helped "bring our baby home". "I've even had a few (SES volunteers) approach me with hugs and sorrys that they couldn't get her home sooner to us. They didn't give up and they got her back to us!" she posted on Facebook.
Perth Now
9 hours ago
- Perth Now
Family gives back after tragic end for missing girl
Pheobe Bishop's family is aiming to give back to a community that rallied around them in their darkest hour. A fundraiser backed by Pheobe's family has been organised to support local volunteer groups in what they hope creates a fitting legacy for the 17-year-old. Pheobe went missing on her way to Bundaberg airport in southern Queensland on May 15. Her housemates James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were charged with her murder on June 6, more than three weeks after Pheobe disappeared. Officers discovered what were believed to be the teenager's remains later that day near a national park, an hour's drive from Bundaberg airport. The community rallied around Pheobe's family, with hundreds attending two emotional candlelight vigils. Family friend Tracey Berends hoped the fundraiser would help return the love. She organised the GoFundMe campaign that has received the family's backing, with money to be raised for local volunteer and not-for-profit groups. More than $7000 had been donated by late Thursday, with the local SES volunteer group and Pheobe's former school set to benefit. "The GoFundMe was created after speaking with Pheobe's family with the sole purpose of supporting local charities and volunteer organisations that were involved in the search for her, particularly the SES," Ms Berends told AAP. "These volunteers worked tirelessly on their hands and knees through difficult terrain and did so without expecting anything in return. "It's important to the family that these selfless efforts are acknowledged and supported in Pheobe's name." Pheobe's former school - the not-for-profit learning centre Y School in Bundaberg that is assisted by volunteers - has also been targeted for the fundraiser. "There is absolutely no financial gain being taken by the family," Ms Berends said. "Their only hope is to create something beautiful and lasting in remembrance of Pheobe, a way to honour her kind, gentle spirit and the impact she had on so many lives." Pheobe's mother Kylie Johnson said the fundraiser was a way to acknowledge a school where her daughter thrived as well as the SES volunteers who helped "bring our baby home". "I've even had a few (SES volunteers) approach me with hugs and sorrys that they couldn't get her home sooner to us. They didn't give up and they got her back to us!" she posted on Facebook.
