Neighbour makes wild claims about couple Pheobe Bishop lived and drove to airport with before 'suspicious' disappearance from Bundaberg

Sky News AU

22-05-2025

The couple missing teenager Pheobe Bishop had been living with on a regional Queensland property prior to her disappearance have been identified.
Pheobe, 17, was last seen at Airport Drive, Bundaberg, about 8.30am on May 15, with luggage.
She was scheduled to fly from Bundaberg to Western Australia, via Brisbane, but failed to board her flight.
During a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, police revealed CCTV footage from the airport showed the teen had never entered the terminal.
Detective Acting Inspector Ryan Thompson confirmed Pheobe was not residing with direct family members but two people "she has been living with for a while".
He added she was dropped off at the airport by one of the two people she had been living with in the town of Gin Gin, west of Bundaberg.
Police are also currently probing reports the 17-year-old was arguing with the driver on her way to the airport and was kicked out of the car before going missing.
Insp Thompson said the reported conflict is forming part of the investigation.
After nearly more than a week, police declared Pheobe's disappearance as "suspicious" on Wednesday, and set up two crime scenes at the property she had been living in and a grey Hyundai ix35 - with Queensland plates 414 EW3 - she is believed to have been travelling in to the airport.
On Thursday, Daily Mail Australia identified the couple Pheobe was living with on the Gin Gin property as James Wood and Tanika Bromley. Tanika is reportedly the owner of the grey Hyundai.
Police previously confirmed Pheobe's flatmates were co-operating with officers and have provided 'detailed accounts'.
The couple told police they dropped the teen off at the airport with luggage, but Insp Thompson confirmed officers are confident Pheobe never made it to the airport.
The couple's neighbour, Shari Loughland, told the Daily Mail on Thursday that Pheobe had only been living at the Gin Gin address "'for a few weeks, up to a month or two''.
Ms Loughland further added Pheobe came in and out of the home a couple of times, but she had no idea the teen was living on the property until the news of her disappearance.
She described the experience of living next door to her neighbours as "horrible" due to the noise from parties.
According to the outlet, last week Ms Loughland made a complaint to council and RSPCA about their "howling dog".
She further claimed the remains of up to 11 dead dogs had reportedly been found at the property during police inquiries.
''They moved in late October or November, and then it's just gotten more and more cluttered with rubbish," Ms Loughland told the publication.
''It was for sale... I don't think they actually own it.''
It is understood a large bus parked outside the property with the words ''Let it ride'' above the windscreen, belongs to Mr Woods.
The Daily Mail reported he is divorced and only moved to Gin Gin from Emerald, 500km west in Queensland's Central Highlands, around six months ago after the end of his marriage.
Ms Bromley is a Gin Gin local and a mother of two.
Mr Woods confirmed his relationship status with Ms Bromley on social media in October last year and they reportedly moved in together earlier this year.
They were both questioned by police but later released.
No charges have yet been laid in relation to Pheobe's disappearance and Sky News makes no suggestion Mr Wood and Ms Bromley were involved in Pheobe's disappearance.
The 17-year-old's phone and social media accounts have been inactive since she went missing and her bank account has not been used since May 14.
According to close family members, the teen was on her way to meet her boyfriend in Western Australia who she spoke to on the phone before she vanished.
When asked by media whether police believe Pheobe is still alive, Insp Thompson said investigators are keeping an open mind for now.
'We are certainly hopeful that she is still alive," he said.
'Just because we are deeming this suspicious doesn't mean we are investigating anything sinister has happened. We are just trying to rule out other options as well."
Police have urged anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the vehicle at the Airport Drive, Samuels Road and Gin Gin areas on May 15 to contact investigators.
Pheobe's heartbroken mother Kylie Johnson continues to reach out to her daughter on social media in a desperate attempt to find her.
"Phee is still missing our heartache and pain is raw and real. We as a family are trying to hang onto the light of life that is our Free Spirited Gypsy Soul Phee Phee," Ms Johnson wrote on Thursday.
"Phee we need you home, we need to hear your sassy voice and feel your hugs."
Police confirmed they are continuing to speak with people who know Pheobe.
Insp Thompson said public information is "vital" in piecing together Pheobe's movements on May 15.
'You may have the small piece of information that leads us to finding Pheobe,' Insp Thompson said.
'People don't vanish – someone knows something and we're urging anyone with information to contact police immediately.'
Pheobe is described as approximately 180cm, pale complexion, long dyed red hair, and hazel eyes.
She was last seen carrying luggage and wearing a green tank top and grey sweatpants.
Investigations are ongoing.