Latest news with #Bundaberg
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Community reels over toddler, mum's deaths
A community is reeling after a mother accused of fatally stabbing her three-year-old daughter died in custody, sparking a corrective services review. A vigil to remember "beautiful little girl" Sophia Rose near Bundaberg in southern Queensland was held before locals heard the tragic news of her mother Lauren Ingrid Flanigan's death. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli on Monday said "some explanations" were needed over the Brisbane death in custody, with a review underway. Emergency services found Sophia outside a home with several stab wounds on May 26 and she died at the scene. After being charged with her daughter's murder, Flanigan was found unresponsive in her cell at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre on May 30. The 32-year-old had suffered a "medical emergency" in her cell before being rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane where she died two days later on Sunday. Queensland Corrective Services on Monday said a report would be prepared for the coroner, describing it as "standard practice for all deaths in custody". Mr Crisafulli said questions needed to be answered in a "full and thorough" investigation into Flanigan's death to ensure the incident was not brushed "under the carpet". "This incident proves that there are some explanations that are needed," he told reporters on Monday. "We owe it to everyone involved, people who work in the facility, families of people who have tragically lost their life, to get to the bottom of it." He said the corrective services system needed to be reviewed in the wake of Flanigan's death. "For those who do need to be held in custody, we have a duty to provide safe facilities," he said. "I think it's important that we don't brush it under the carpet." The Moore Park Beach community is grieving after coming together to celebrate Sophia on Sunday. Hundreds came dressed in pink and with sparkles, Sophia's favourite things, at the gathering organised by Bundaberg local Trish Mears. Sophia was remembered for her love of dance and a child who had an "absolute love of life". "She was just a beautiful little girl who was just full of life and lit up a room when she walked into it," Ms Mears told AAP. Friends, family and supporters blew bubbles and wrote messages in the sand while Sophia's favourite song, "Sky Full of Stars" by Coldplay, played. "It was absolutely beautiful and I could certainly feel her spirit there," Ms Mears said. The vigil aimed to kickstart the healing process for the grieving community with many attendees who did not know each other sharing hugs and kind words, Ms Mears said. But the news of Flanigan's death ensured Sunday ended on a "tragic" note, she said. Ms Mears, the president of Moore Park Beach Arts Inc, said the community would also honour Sophia at their local festival in August. A GoFundMe set up for Sophia's father and siblings has so far raised $55,000. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The Tinder row that rocked missing teenager Pheobe Bishop's housemates - as bizarre video emerges of 'cheating' boyfriend singing soppy love song in the car he now lives in
The housemate of missing Pheobe Bishop was caught on a dating app by his girlfriend in the lead up to the teenager's mysterious disappearance two weeks ago. Pheobe, 17, was last seen on May 15 when James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, gave her a lift to the airport from their ramshackle home in Gin Gin, near Bundaberg, central Queensland. She told friends she was leaving the 'hellhole' living arrangements - as she branded it - to be with her high school sweetheart in Western Australia. The housemates told police they dropped the teen off at Bundaberg Airport in Bromley's 2011 grey Hyundai ix35 hatchback. But Pheobe never checked into her flight and no CCTV of her at the airport has been found. Now Daily Mail Australia can reveal that in February, Wood had been spotted on Tinder looking for 'short term fun', prompting Bromley's friends to intervene. In the profile photo, Wood can be seen in a cowboy hat and aviator sunglasses and wearing a hi-viz tradie's work shirt with the logo obscured. It also states that he is 34 years old. 'Everyone had been telling Tanika he was cheating,' a friend of the former NDIS support services worker confirmed. 'When her mates found his profile and he denied it they listed it online in one of those 'Sis, is this your man,' Facebook groups to see if anyone had been with him. 'People came forward too, but even with all the proof, she decided to stay with him.' It is unknown why Pheobe was at the house or how long she had been there. Prior to her disappearance, she told her aunt Caz Johnson she was 'up s*** creek,' and couldn't wait to leave. Pheobe claimed her mother, Kylie Johnson, had told her to 'get out' of the family home. She also messaged a friend to say she was heading away to see her boyfriend for 10 days. 'I take off to WA in three days! Get out of this s*** home for a bit so that will be good, just packing atm [at the moment].' Both the Gin Gin house and the Hyundai were sealed off by police and combed over by forensics experts. Up to 11 dead dogs were reportedly removed from the rubbish-strewn yard. The housemates have since been charged with unrelated weapons offences after police impounded the car and allegedly discovered a shortened firearm, two replica handguns and ammunition in the car. Bromley's strict bail conditions include a curfew and that she not see Wood. Police have now released the car and Wood appears to be living in it with at least one dog, after Daily Mail Australia found them sleeping inside the car in a nearby street. He was also filmed and confronted by an angry local, with video later posted online. Last week, days after the teen went missing, he posted a bizarre, two-minute video of himself lounging back in the driver's seat of a car. Heavily filtered, Wood lip-syncs to the 2017 love song Perfect by Ed Sheeran, dramatically closing his eyes and then biting the silver chain around his neck. When lyrics mention 'listening to our favourite song,' Wood looks emotionally at the camera tapping his heart. 'Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know,' he croons along with the song. 'She shares my dreams, I hope that someday, I'll share her home. 'I found a love to carry more than just my secrets. 'To carry love, to carry children of our own.' The car appears to be parked alongside bushland with only grass and trees visible from the windows. He also posted a single black and white selfie with the words: 'Let it never be said I'm not where I need to be on time.' No charges have been laid over Pheobe's disappearance and it is not suggested that Bromley and Wood were involved in her disappearance. The police investigation into her disappearance continues.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Missing teen's mum hits back at online trolls
The mother of missing teenager Phoebe Bishop has hit back at vile social media comments, following an appeal to the public alongside police to help find her daughter. Kylie Johnson appeared in a video appeal urging anyone who had seen a grey Hyundai ix35 - which her daughter Pheobe was reportedly travelling in before she disappeared - to contact police. But after vile comments began appearing on the video, Ms Johnson took matters into her own hands. In a post on her Facebook account, she hit back at the trolls who were attacking her tone and demeanour. 'I'm sorry that I'm currently an emotional wreck, trying to protect our other children from the media and the trolls, trying to continue to breathe while your world shatters around you!,' she posted on Saturday. Ms Johnson's daughter, 17-year-old Phoebe Bishop, has been missing since May 15, when the teenager failed to board a flight at Bundaberg Airport. After searching bushland in the regional Queensland city, police put out a video statement read by Ms Johnson over the weekend, where the mother pleads for information. After the police statement was published online, commenters began to criticise the way Ms Johnson spoke and her demeanour. 'People wanted a statement, they got one yet still question me as a mother?,' Ms Johnson posted afterwards. 'If anyone would like to be in this position please step in and show me how to do this? Show me what a perfect parent looks like' she said, defending herself. 'Show me how to navigate this? Show me how to deal with the unknown and the uncertainty? Show me how to use perfect language and emotion in a situation that no parent ever wants to be in.' Ms Johnson has posted daily about the search for Phoebe, and acknowledges she has left her social media accounts open to the public to maintain awareness of her missing daughter, despite rife and derogatory comments from members of the public. 'My posts aren't public to defend myself or react to negative comments. In fact negative comments also draw conversations and that's what we as a family need to bring Phee home,' she posted last week. 'Hell I will take any conversation if it has my baby walking down our driveway or calling any of us. 'So please don't be mad at the trolls. They have a role to play just like the amazing people who honestly just want our Phoebe home.' Phoebe was last seen on May 15, travelling toward Bundaberg Airport. Her housemates told police they drove Phoebe to the airport in a grey Hyundai ix35 for her 8.30am flight. But Phoebe did not enter the airport. Police have searched their house and charged the flatmates with unrelated weapon possession charges.
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- General
- News.com.au
Kylie Johnson, mother of missing teen Phoebe Bishop, hits back at vile comments from online trolls
The mother of missing teenager Phoebe Bishop has hit back at vile social media comments, following an appeal to the public alongside police to help find her daughter. Kylie Johnson appeared in a video appeal urging anyone who had seen a grey Hyundai ix35 - which her daughter Pheobe was reportedly travelling in before she disappeared - to contact police. But after vile comments began appearing on the video, Ms Johnson took matters into her own hands. In a post on her Facebook account, she hit back at the trolls who were attacking her tone and demeanour. 'I'm sorry that I'm currently an emotional wreck, trying to protect our other children from the media and the trolls, trying to continue to breathe while your world shatters around you!,' she posted on Saturday. Ms Johnson's daughter, 17-year-old Phoebe Bishop, has been missing since May 15, when the teenager failed to board a flight at Bundaberg Airport. After searching bushland in the regional Queensland city, police put out a video statement read by Ms Johnson over the weekend, where the mother pleads for information. After the police statement was published online, commenters began to criticise the way Ms Johnson spoke and her demeanour. 'People wanted a statement, they got one yet still question me as a mother?,' Ms Johnson posted afterwards. 'If anyone would like to be in this position please step in and show me how to do this? Show me what a perfect parent looks like' she said, defending herself. 'Show me how to navigate this? Show me how to deal with the unknown and the uncertainty? Show me how to use perfect language and emotion in a situation that no parent ever wants to be in.' Ms Johnson has posted daily about the search for Phoebe, and acknowledges she has left her social media accounts open to the public to maintain awareness of her missing daughter, despite rife and derogatory comments from members of the public. 'My posts aren't public to defend myself or react to negative comments. In fact negative comments also draw conversations and that's what we as a family need to bring Phee home,' she posted last week. 'Hell I will take any conversation if it has my baby walking down our driveway or calling any of us. 'So please don't be mad at the trolls. They have a role to play just like the amazing people who honestly just want our Phoebe home.' Phoebe was last seen on May 15, travelling toward Bundaberg Airport. Her housemates told police they drove Phoebe to the airport in a grey Hyundai ix35 for her 8.30am flight. But Phoebe did not enter the airport. Police have searched their house and charged the flatmates with unrelated weapon possession charges.
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- General
- News.com.au
Lauren Flanigan, mum charged with murder of 3yo daughter Sophia Rose, dies in hospital
A mother charged with the murder of her three-year-old daughter – who was allegedly stabbed 'multiple' times in the front yard of their home – has died in hospital overnight. Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, a mother of three who was accused of murdering her three-year-old daughter Sophia Grace at their home in Bundaberg was found unresponsive in her high-security cell on Friday night. The 32-year-old was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. The Courier Mail reports Flanigan died in hospital on Sunday night. She was due to return to Bundaberg Magistrates Court in July.
