Second death in custody shatters tiny outback community
An Aboriginal community reeling after losing a second young man in a fatal police incident wants funding restored for programs to help youths avoid the criminal justice system.
Widespread anger has been sparked after a 24-year-old mentally disabled man was forced to the floor of an Alice Springs supermarket by two plain-clothes police officers and fell unconscious.
The man - originally from the small desert town of Yuendumu - died about an hour later at Alice Springs Hospital on Tuesday, sparking a police investigation.
The man, who is understood to have been under a guardianship order and on an NDIS plan, allegedly assaulted a security guard who accused him of shoplifting.
Police late on Thursday alleged the man assaulted a woman not known to him in the Alice Springs CBD prior to the Coles incident.
The cause of the man's death was still undetermined, police said.
The Yuendumu community lost a young man in police custody in 2019 when 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot by then NT police officer Zachary Rolfe during a bungled arrest.
Mr Rolfe was found not guilty on all charges over the death in 2022.
The latest death has prompted the Yuendumu community to consider postponing a June 10 visit by Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage to announce her findings in the Walker case.
Yuendumu elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, the grandfather of the man who died on Tuesday, has called for CCTV and security guard body-worn camera footage to be released to the family so they can understand what happened.
Mr Hargraves told AAP his shattered community was talking about postponing the June 10 coroner's event "because of all these troubles happening right now, it's too much".
He said his community had put forward many solutions to improve relations with the justice system but they had been ignored.
In 2024, Yuendumu was approved under an NT government act to establish a law and justice group and was given a small grant, but the new Country Liberal Party government removed the funding without consultation, he said.
A Yuendumu cultural authority based on traditional decision-making had been set up to be the front door to the community "but sadly our continued requests for resources to develop this authority had been ignored", Mr Hargraves said.
NT Police said they had been in contact with the man's family and visited the Yuendumu community to provide an update.
"Our thoughts are with the deceased's family, our members and the entire Alice Springs community and we thank them for their patience as we work through this investigation," Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said.
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
An Aboriginal community reeling after losing a second young man in a fatal police incident wants funding restored for programs to help youths avoid the criminal justice system.
Widespread anger has been sparked after a 24-year-old mentally disabled man was forced to the floor of an Alice Springs supermarket by two plain-clothes police officers and fell unconscious.
The man - originally from the small desert town of Yuendumu - died about an hour later at Alice Springs Hospital on Tuesday, sparking a police investigation.
The man, who is understood to have been under a guardianship order and on an NDIS plan, allegedly assaulted a security guard who accused him of shoplifting.
Police late on Thursday alleged the man assaulted a woman not known to him in the Alice Springs CBD prior to the Coles incident.
The cause of the man's death was still undetermined, police said.
The Yuendumu community lost a young man in police custody in 2019 when 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot by then NT police officer Zachary Rolfe during a bungled arrest.
Mr Rolfe was found not guilty on all charges over the death in 2022.
The latest death has prompted the Yuendumu community to consider postponing a June 10 visit by Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage to announce her findings in the Walker case.
Yuendumu elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, the grandfather of the man who died on Tuesday, has called for CCTV and security guard body-worn camera footage to be released to the family so they can understand what happened.
Mr Hargraves told AAP his shattered community was talking about postponing the June 10 coroner's event "because of all these troubles happening right now, it's too much".
He said his community had put forward many solutions to improve relations with the justice system but they had been ignored.
In 2024, Yuendumu was approved under an NT government act to establish a law and justice group and was given a small grant, but the new Country Liberal Party government removed the funding without consultation, he said.
A Yuendumu cultural authority based on traditional decision-making had been set up to be the front door to the community "but sadly our continued requests for resources to develop this authority had been ignored", Mr Hargraves said.
NT Police said they had been in contact with the man's family and visited the Yuendumu community to provide an update.
"Our thoughts are with the deceased's family, our members and the entire Alice Springs community and we thank them for their patience as we work through this investigation," Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said.
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
An Aboriginal community reeling after losing a second young man in a fatal police incident wants funding restored for programs to help youths avoid the criminal justice system.
Widespread anger has been sparked after a 24-year-old mentally disabled man was forced to the floor of an Alice Springs supermarket by two plain-clothes police officers and fell unconscious.
The man - originally from the small desert town of Yuendumu - died about an hour later at Alice Springs Hospital on Tuesday, sparking a police investigation.
The man, who is understood to have been under a guardianship order and on an NDIS plan, allegedly assaulted a security guard who accused him of shoplifting.
Police late on Thursday alleged the man assaulted a woman not known to him in the Alice Springs CBD prior to the Coles incident.
The cause of the man's death was still undetermined, police said.
The Yuendumu community lost a young man in police custody in 2019 when 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot by then NT police officer Zachary Rolfe during a bungled arrest.
Mr Rolfe was found not guilty on all charges over the death in 2022.
The latest death has prompted the Yuendumu community to consider postponing a June 10 visit by Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage to announce her findings in the Walker case.
Yuendumu elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, the grandfather of the man who died on Tuesday, has called for CCTV and security guard body-worn camera footage to be released to the family so they can understand what happened.
Mr Hargraves told AAP his shattered community was talking about postponing the June 10 coroner's event "because of all these troubles happening right now, it's too much".
He said his community had put forward many solutions to improve relations with the justice system but they had been ignored.
In 2024, Yuendumu was approved under an NT government act to establish a law and justice group and was given a small grant, but the new Country Liberal Party government removed the funding without consultation, he said.
A Yuendumu cultural authority based on traditional decision-making had been set up to be the front door to the community "but sadly our continued requests for resources to develop this authority had been ignored", Mr Hargraves said.
NT Police said they had been in contact with the man's family and visited the Yuendumu community to provide an update.
"Our thoughts are with the deceased's family, our members and the entire Alice Springs community and we thank them for their patience as we work through this investigation," Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said.
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
An Aboriginal community reeling after losing a second young man in a fatal police incident wants funding restored for programs to help youths avoid the criminal justice system.
Widespread anger has been sparked after a 24-year-old mentally disabled man was forced to the floor of an Alice Springs supermarket by two plain-clothes police officers and fell unconscious.
The man - originally from the small desert town of Yuendumu - died about an hour later at Alice Springs Hospital on Tuesday, sparking a police investigation.
The man, who is understood to have been under a guardianship order and on an NDIS plan, allegedly assaulted a security guard who accused him of shoplifting.
Police late on Thursday alleged the man assaulted a woman not known to him in the Alice Springs CBD prior to the Coles incident.
The cause of the man's death was still undetermined, police said.
The Yuendumu community lost a young man in police custody in 2019 when 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot by then NT police officer Zachary Rolfe during a bungled arrest.
Mr Rolfe was found not guilty on all charges over the death in 2022.
The latest death has prompted the Yuendumu community to consider postponing a June 10 visit by Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage to announce her findings in the Walker case.
Yuendumu elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, the grandfather of the man who died on Tuesday, has called for CCTV and security guard body-worn camera footage to be released to the family so they can understand what happened.
Mr Hargraves told AAP his shattered community was talking about postponing the June 10 coroner's event "because of all these troubles happening right now, it's too much".
He said his community had put forward many solutions to improve relations with the justice system but they had been ignored.
In 2024, Yuendumu was approved under an NT government act to establish a law and justice group and was given a small grant, but the new Country Liberal Party government removed the funding without consultation, he said.
A Yuendumu cultural authority based on traditional decision-making had been set up to be the front door to the community "but sadly our continued requests for resources to develop this authority had been ignored", Mr Hargraves said.
NT Police said they had been in contact with the man's family and visited the Yuendumu community to provide an update.
"Our thoughts are with the deceased's family, our members and the entire Alice Springs community and we thank them for their patience as we work through this investigation," Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said.
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
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Perth Now
15 minutes 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.
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Coward punch victim Dave Harcus died one month after sent home from hospital with Panadeine Forte. His loved- ones want answers
The loved ones of a 'charismatic, hilarious' Cooper Pedy man believe systematic failures led to his death. Dave Harcus died one month after he was coward punched at a land auction in remote SA, and sent home from the hospital with no more than a packet of Panadeine Forte. The blow from behind knocked the 54-year-old NDIS-recipient to the ground, where he smacked his head on the concrete. He had been walking out of the auction with his friend of nearly four decades, Karen Harvey, 62 — who said they left as soon as they realised they were out of the running. Everyone else remained inside as the auction proceedings wrapped up on February 4. Everyone except an old acquaintance with a years-old gripe with Harcus. Severe rheumatoid arthritis meant Harcus was shuffling slowly along the pavement when he was approached from behind. 'It happened so fast, he just came up behind him, punched him in the back of the head, and Dave just fell straight to the ground — didn't even try to put his hands down or anything because he didn't know it was coming,' Harvey told Back in the car, Harcus slumped forward in his seat — he was bleeding from the ear, had cloudy eyes, and was visibly in shock. Harvey said she would take him to the hospital, but Harcus insisted on heading home, where he would file a police report 'in case I die in my sleep'. 'I wasn't going to argue. You can't argue with Dave, I've known him for a long time,' Harvey said. She got a call from Harcus the next day — he was ready to go to the hospital. Harvey dropped him there and recounted the alleged assault to hospital staff, leaving with the assumption that Harcus would be kept overnight for tests, or flown down to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. But she said there were no CT scans, or referrals, just a packet of Panadeine Forte. Days later, Harvey drove him back to the hospital and, once again, Harcus left with only a script for Panadeine Forte. After that, Harcus declined Harvey's further suggestions that he go to the hospital, as his condition deteriorated. His speech had begun to slur when he told her: 'They'll just send me home with more Panadeine Forte.' Harcus did ask if Harvey could book him an appointment with a doctor, instead. The soonest they could fit him in was March 4, the day before he died. Harvey found her friend sweating, shaking and without any control of his bowels when she arrived that day to take him to the doctor. He was bedridden, unable to eat, drink, medicate, or take himself to the bathroom. Harvey said her friend had been alone in this state for days. 'It was heart-wrenching,' Harvey said. She called him an ambulance and told Harcus she would visit him in the hospital the next day, to drop off a policy number for the ambulance cover she would arrange for him in the meantime. But when she arrived at the hospital the next day, a nurse pulled Harvey into a kitchenette and told her: 'I'm really sorry, but your friend Dave passed away in the early hours of this morning.' 'Well, I nearly collapsed,' Harvey said. 'My heart started racing — it was horrible. They made me a cup of tea.' Tracking down the truth Harcus' niece and listed next of kin, Monika Addicott, only learned her uncle had been unwell when she received a call from the hospital three hours after he had died. The 43-year-old said she asked the doctor to give her all the details, but was not told about 'any kind of treatment or examination in the 12 or 13 hours that he was there'. 'They just basically said that he was very calm and very peaceful, and just kind of drifted off into sleep.' Addicott did not learn about the coward punch until she called a Cooper Pedy pub — she was trying to track down anyone who knew her uncle. 'That's when I was told about what happened (at the land auction),' Addicott said. Addicott remembers Harcus fondly, and recalled the time he insisted she come over and stay with him in Coober Pedy in her early 20s, so that he could teach her the value of money and hard work. 'It certainly re-educated me. It gave me my values and an appreciation of what I've got,' Addicott said. At the time of his death, Addicott was living in public housing in Brisbane, where Tropical Cyclone Alfred was ripping through the region. She had to wait until the storm blew over before she could travel to her uncle's home and begin to sort out his affairs. Time slipped by upon her arrival, as she enrolled her child into a Cooper Pedy school, liaised with the coroner, cleaned through Harcus' home, and began to arrange a funeral which she can't afford until she fundraises $9000. 'Evidently, I've exceeded my absentee quota (for public housing), so they've evicted me,' Addicott said. Her friends are currently boxing up her belongings in her absence, and putting them into a storage unit. With so much already on her plate, Addicott said that she would have to cross that bridge when she gets to it. Pushing for further investigation SA Police confirmed to that it is satisfied the alleged assault is not connected to Harcus' death — his loved ones were told he died of a heart attack as a result of a sepsis and pneumonia. It's a diagnosis that still doesn't sit right with Addicott, or Harvey, who watched her friend rapidly deteriorate seemingly from the moment he was hit. She believes gaps in clinical care may have contributed to a causal chain of events that led to her friend's death. Having been twice-prescribed just Panadeine Forte following the assault, Harcus did not believe treatment beyond pain relief was available to him, and died unaware of the severity of his condition, Harvey said. Given Harcus' recent medical history, Harvey believes that if a CT scan ruled out head trauma as a source of his symptoms, then he should have received further holistic assessment to rule out any complications before it was too late. 'For nearly a year, Dave had an infection in his stomach, and he was going to the hospital every second day to get the wound cleaned,' Harvey said. 'Then he went to Adelaide and had an operation and fixed it all up. This was just before everything else went down.' Harvey and Addicott have since pushed for a further investigation into the death, and the SA Coroner's Office told 'The coronial investigation into this death is ongoing.' 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You wouldn't hear from him, and then he'd just somehow find ya, and just say, 'G'day!',' she said, adding that he surprised her in this way on her wedding day. Harcus was just 11 years older than Addicott, who said he was 'more like a big brother than an uncle'. He lived with his pet chihuahua, Nigella, a continuation of the tradition — his parents also lived with chihuahuas. Addicott has now adopted Nigella. 'Uncle was the most charismatic, funny, smart man that you could ever possibly come across,' Addicott said. 'Everybody was just drawn to him. He was just always coming up with some crazy idea ... some new way to do things.' Harvey described her late friend as a 'proud, honourable' person and 'a very loyal friend'. 'He was just a good person, he had a very good heart. 'Just an example — my mother died in 2005, and I couldn't get all the funds together — Centrelink wouldn't help, and Mum didn't have any money or a will — and (Harcus) lent me the money to have her cremated. That's the kind of person he was. 'I went to pay him back when I had the money, and he wouldn't take it back.' Harcus had spoken about arranging his own will not long before he died, but never got around to it. Now, Addicott is struggling to pull together her own funds in order to lay Harcus to rest. 'I legitimately have zero way to pay for this ... meanwhile, Uncle lays there, waiting for me to do something ... and all I can do is cry, because I JUST. CAN'T. AFFORD. IT,' the GoFundMe said.
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
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. 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. 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. 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.
