Hundreds gather in Gin Gin at vigil for allegedly murdered teen Pheobe Bishop

Australia Broadcast Center

6 hours ago

Hundreds have gathered at a vigil for Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop, who police have alleged was murdered by her housemates.
Kylie Johnson, Pheobe's mother, spoke to the crowd of hundreds of people, calling for the families of the accused to be treated fairly.
"They should receive respect, and I expect them to receive the respect they deserve," she said.
Ms Johnson then read poems that reminded her of Pheobe's free spirit.
Pheobe's sisters Kaylea choked back tears as she paid tribute to her sister.
"Pheobe, 17 years was never enough for her life," she said.
Music played as community members sat in quiet reflection. Some were members of the SES who spent days searching for any sign of the teenager.
Others hugged their loved ones and wiped tears from their eyes during speeches.
The vigil was held in Gin Gin, roughly 50 kilometres west of Bundaberg in southern Queensland, where Ms Bishop was living.
The 17-year-old failed to board a flight to Brisbane from Bundaberg on May 15 and has been missing since.
Police on Friday confirmed they had found human remains in Good Night National Park during their search for Ms Bishop, though they are yet to formally identify the body.
Her housemates, 34-year-old James Woods and 33-year-old Tanika Bromley, have since been charged with her murder.
Police have alleged Ms Bishop was last seen alive with Mr Wood and Ms Bromley at a BMX track near the airport.
Memorials have been established near the BMX track and outside the house Ms Bishop shared with the accused in Gin Gin.
Ms Bishop's cousin Whitney Woodfield said the family was feeling "broken" in the wake of her disappearance.
Ms Woodfield said she will remember Ms Bishop as a loyal person, "who was always the first person to stand up and support someone when they couldn't defend themselves".
She will also remember Ms Bishop's love of children.
"How she cherished them, that's another thing I'll remember," she said.
"Her niece's birthday is coming up in a couple months and she's not even going to be here. She should have been spoiling her with presents, spoiling her with love.
"We should not remember Pheobe for the tragic ending that she has experienced; we should remember her for the person she was, for the beautiful soul she was."
Bundaberg's Mayor Helen Blackburn said the entire region had been impacted and "everyone might be feeling a bit tender at the moment".
Ms Blackburn said the vigil was about the community grieving together.
"It is important that we remember Pheobe has left an imprint on the community and on her friends and her family.
"She was here, and she meant something."
Members of the community were asked to wear Butterfly pins or bright colours to represent Pheobe's free spirit.
James Wood and Tanika Bromley will have their matter next heard in court in August.