Latest news with #PheobeBishop
News.com.au
21-07-2025
- News.com.au
‘Seeing each other': Pheobe Bishop's inner circle revealed
The complicated relationship between three people charged over the alleged murder of Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop can be revealed. Pheobe, 17, disappeared on May 15 on her way to Bundaberg Airport, where she was due to catch a flight to visit her boyfriend in Western Australia. Three weeks later her body was found in nearby bushland and her housemates James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were charged with one count each of murder, and two counts each of interfering with a corpse. Police allege they moved Pheobe's body twice. Earlier this month Kieren Mittelheuser, 30, was also arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to murder. He had allegedly used the teen's phone to interfere with the police investigation following her death. After Mittelheuser was charged, his relationship to Wood and Bromley remained unclear. But a friend of Tanika Bromley told that she believes Bromley and Mittelheuser were 'seeing each other' at the time of Pheobe's alleged murder. Mittelheuser was staying in the dilapidated Gin Gin rental where Wood, Bromley and Pheobe were also living, the friend said. 'Kieren was a friend of (Wood) and had moved in there.' The friend says that Wood and Bromley and broken up prior to Pheobe's disappearance. Wood moved into a bus on the rubbish-strewn property while Bromley and Mittelheuser continued living in the house and allegedly formed a relationship. The friend says she recalls that on May 17, two days after Pheobe's disappearance, Wood, Bromley and Mittelheuser all went out for dinner at a local pub. She claims that Bromley and Wood had a 'big fight' in the smoking area. 'I asked what's wrong T, talk to me, but she didn't.' The friend said she disapproved of Bromley's living situation and had often tried to persuade her to move out. 'I told her over and over.' In addition to the murder charges, Bromley and Wood are also facing unrelated charges over a shortened firearm, replica handguns and ammunition allegedly found during a police search of Bromley's Hyundai. During the weeks-long search for Pheobe, the run-down rental was declared a crime scene and Bromley was bailed to a family member's house in Gin Gin, while Wood appeared to be living out of the Hyundai in Bundaberg after police released it to him. Bromley and Wood's bail conditions barred them from communicating but Bromley sent text messages to her friend in which she seemed worried about Wood. 'I haven't seen or spoken to him since I was arrested last Sunday. Hot meal and a shower is probably what he needs,' she wrote in one message. 'Once we are cleared of all this and weapons s*** is done we will be out of this town so fast. Just easier to ignore it, (it) will all go away.' Bromley also complained about 'wankers' who were 'hunting' Wood while he was on bail - perhaps a reference to angry locals who were hounding Wood for answers about Pheobe's disappearance. 'It's ridiculous what they are doing to him and I can't even help. Because of bail conditions I'm not even allowed to talk to him.' Both were arrested on the night of June 5, a day before detectives found Pheobe's body near Good Night Scrub National Park, south of Gin Gin. The friend described Bromley's decision to shack up with Wood in about November 2024 as a mistake. 'Tanika was never like that with her house.' The friend also did not approve of Bromley's new relationship with Mittelheuser, a Bundaberg local. 'I used to go around there a lot because I felt sorry for those young boys and for Phee.' Wood, Bromley and Mittelheuser are all being held in jail on remand. Wood and Bromley are due to appear in court on August 11, while Mittelheuser is due to appear on August 25.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Pictured: The fisherman charged with interfering with police investigation into Pheobe Bishop's alleged murder
The third person hit with charges linked to the disappearance and murder of teenager Pheobe Bishop has been unmasked as a keen fisherman who goes by 'The Crabman'. Police charged 30-year-old Kieren Daniel Mittelheuser with two counts of accessory after the fact to murder, alleging he used Ms Bishop's mobile phone to interfere with investigations. Mittelheuser was taken into custody outside a local fast food outlet in Bundaberg West, in south east Queensland, around 7pm on Tuesday. The arrest occurred one day after family and friends farewelled the 17-year-old at a private service. He has also been charged with drug possession, driving while disqualified, failing to appear, breaching bail and fraud. The fraud charge refers to the use of a credit card that is linked to the accessory after the fact charge, Bundaberg paper NewsMail reported. Mittelheuser is a father but is not believed to have lived with his child recently. He appeared nonchalant on his social media, posting a day before the teenager's remains were found that he didn't care whether his foot hung off the bed or not. Ms Bishop was last seen near Bundaberg airport about 8.30am on May 15 after booking a trip to Western Australia to see her boyfriend. A massive search was launched in the park by authorities who traced Ms Bishop's phone there Queensland Police allege that housemates, Tanika Bromley and James Wood, drove her close to the airport in a grey Hyundai, but no one left the car. She was allegedly murdered and her body was moved more than once from the Good Night Scrub National Park, an hour's drive from the airport. Phone data led officers to the national park where her remains were found on June 6. Wood, 34, and Bromley, 33, remain behind bars and will front court on August 11, charged with murder and interfering with a corpse. Mittelheuser did not appear in person but instead dialled in by phone for his court mention on Wednesday. Mark Zeller, a solicitor with Indigo Law, acted as duty lawyer. He did not apply for bail and no pleas have been entered. Mittelheuser will next appear in court via video link on August 25. Multiple candlelit vigils attended by hundreds have been held across Bundaberg and Gin Gin in recent weeks, remembering how Ms Bishop lived life to the fullest. Six weeks after Ms Bishop disappeared, family and friends laid the 'free-spirited' teen to rest while donning bright colours at a service on Monday. None of those alleged to be involved with her murder have yet entered any pleas. Ms Bishop was reported missing in late May, prompting a wide search of bushland and the home she shared with Bromley and Wood. Wood was taken into custody first on June 6 where he has been assisting police with their inquiries. Bromley was taken into custody soon after where she was charged with the same offences as Wood. The pair are each facing one count each of murder, and two counts each of interfering with a corpse. Police allege Ms Bishop was killed, her body transported in a grey Hyundai, and moved twice before being buried in remote national parkland.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE He was just another face in the crowd of mourners at Pheobe Bishop's funeral, but the reality will break your heart - and Pheobe's mum reveals the grim memento she's had made from her daughter's REMAINS
Pheobe Bishop's heartbroken boyfriend journeyed almost 5,000km across the width of Australia to say a heartbreaking final farewell to his lost love at her funeral. Levi, 18, made the heart-wrenching trip from his home in Western Australia to Bundaberg in central Queensland to join her grieving family for the service. Pheobe, 17, had been on her way to see Levi when she vanished en route from her hometown of Gin Gin to Bundaberg Airport on May 15. She never made the flight and weeks later, police discovered her remains near Goodnight Scrub National Park. On Thursday, Pheobe's mum Kylie Johnson revealed she had managed to get some of her daughter's hair returned to her to make into lockets as a lasting reminder. Phoebe's former housemates Tanika Bromley, 33, and James Wood, 34, have now been charged with her murder and are in jail awaiting their next court appearance. Neither has entered pleas. On Monday, the teen's family gathered with scores of mourners for the service - where everyone wore bright clothes and no-one in black - before a private cremation. Pheobe's distraught big sister Kaylea was pictured by an AAP photographer being held back by an aunt after she was overcome by emotion as the hearse pulled away. But just behind Pheobe's family as they watched her coffin drive off, Levi could be seen standing solemnly as he too paid his heartbreaking last goodbye. 'As upsetting as it was, it meant a lot for him to be there as they laid her to rest,' a family friend told Daily Mail Australia. 'His father Rick supported that decision and did everything he could to make sure he was able to attend and get some closure.' 'They were so far away when all this began and Phee went missing and it just added to the pain he was feeling.' Pheobe had called Levi on the morning she went missing as she was being driven by Wood and Bromley to the airport - but he was unable to hear anything before the call cut off. Levi waited patiently in vain for her to arrive, dutifully checking flight after flight, until he realised something had gone horribly wrong and raised the alarm. Levi's father Rick - speaking on his son's behalf – previously opened up to Daily Mail Australia. (We are not revealing Levi's surname at the family's request.) Rick said Levi was traumatised by Pheobe's death - but said the family wanted to pay tribute to the special bond between the lovestruck teenagers. 'Levi absolutely adored Pheobe,' he said. 'They would video chat all night, every night, falling asleep - and then they would tell each other who was sleep-talking the next day,' Rick told Daily Mail Australia. 'It was a bit cute.' The tragedy marks the second heartbreaking loss for Levi's family in just four years. His father Rick revealed Levi's mother, Jade Warry, was killed in a car crash in Bundaberg in 2020, a devastating blow that eventually prompted the family to relocate across the country in search of a fresh start. 'His beautiful mum had a car accident on New Year's Eve 2020, and the kids would go past the site every day on the school bus,' Rick said. 'It was too hard on them, the constant reminder. Ms Warry's funeral was held just a short drive from Pheobe's service, in the Rose Chapel in Bundaberg, in January 2021, where mourners were also encouraged to wear bright colours to celebrate the life of the beloved mother-of-six. Jade was travelling on Bucca Road in Bundaberg when her vehicle crashed into a tree just before 9pm. A passing motorist found Jade and paramedics were called to the scene - but nothing could be done to save her life. Rick and Jade had been planning their wedding for the following year and he admitted he was devastated by the loss. Pheobe and Levi both attended the same local school, but Rick and his family faced daily reminders of the horrific tragedy, and the father decided he needed to move far away to escape the confronting traumatic scene. 'Moving to WA was the best move,' he said. 'I never thought I'd see them happy again. 'And it meant the world to us for Pheobe to come over.' The father-of-six said the couple had been excited for weeks about their reunion and were busily planning out every detail. 'Levi had bought Pheobe a Canon camera worth $1,000 because she wanted to get into photography,' he said. 'A week before she was supposed to land, Levi had packed the 4WD up with camping gear. 'He had planned a trip to Esperance in WA, camping on the beach with Pheobe. 'They were both really excited about that. 'It's so heartbreaking seeing what could have been a beautiful future together shattered into pieces.' Pheobe's funeral notice described her as the 'beloved daughter of Kylie and Ray, Kevin and Stacey. Dearly loved sister of Jamie, Jesse, Kaylea, Ruby-Leigh, Aybel and sister-in-law to Janay. Loving aunty to Tallullah. Much loved niece, cousin and friend to many'. Ms Johnson said she was 'devastated' to farewell her daughter. 'This is absolutely everybody's worst nightmare. However, we promised to get Phee home and give her a send-off that Phee would approve of, and that's what will happen,' she said in a statement. In a post to Instagram on Thursday, Ms Johnson showcased the lockets she had made for herself and sister Kaylea to keep a connection with Pheobe close to their hearts forever. 'We had these beautiful pieces designed by Ash Northern Jewellery Co - The Workshop in Bundaberg!' she posted. 'We now have a piece of Phee Phee wherever we go, she's with us. 'Ash has been amazing, compassionate and empathetic on this journey with us, and honestly Kaylea and I love what she's done!
The Australian
02-07-2025
- The Australian
Pheobe Bishop: Third charged after death of missing Bundaberg teen
A third person has been charged in relation to the alleged murder of Pheobe Bishop. Police allege 30-year-old Kieren Daniel Mittelheuser used the teenager's phone to interfere with their investigation following her death. The Bundaberg man was arrested shortly after 7pm on Tuesday in Bundaberg West and has been charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to murder. He is also charged with driving without a licence, fraud, and possessing drugs. Police allege 30-year-old Kieren Daniel Mittelheuser used the teenager's phone to interfere with their investigation following her death. Picture: Supplied / QLD Police On Wednesday, police released bodycam footage of the arrest, showing at least four officers surrounding a man dressed in shorts, thongs, and a grey jumper as he stands behind a silver coloured car outside a fast food restaurant. He is then seen placing his hands behind his back as officers handcuff him. On Wednesday, police released bodycam footage of the arrest, showing at least four officers surrounding a man as he stands behind a silver coloured car outside a fast food restaurant. Picture: Supplied / QLD Police Mr Mittelheuser will appear at Bundaberg Magistrates Court later on Wednesday. Pheobe, 17, disappeared on her way to Bundaberg Airport on May 15. She was flying to Western Australia via Brisbane to visit her boyfriend. A third person has been charged in relation to the death of Pheobe Bishop. Picture Facebook Her housemates at the time, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, are both charged with murder and interfering with a corpse in relation to the teenager's disappearance. Police allege the pair killed Pheobe and moved her body 'more than once' afterwards. They remain before the courts. Pheobe's disappearance triggered a widespread search, with her family turning to social media in a desperate appeal for information about her location and safe return. Police focused their initial investigation on the home the teenager shared in a small town about 50km west of Bundaberg, where forensic teams searched the property for any sign of her. Tanika Bromley lived at the Gin Gin address with her partner James Wood and Pheobe. Mr Woods has been charged with murder. Search efforts then shifted to bushland in Good Night Scrub National Park, with crews combing the area for clues. Detectives revealed there was no evidence Pheobe had been dropped off at Bundaberg Airport, as initially claimed. Acting Police Inspector Ryan Thompson said investigators were looking into reports that Pheobe had been involved in an argument with someone in a car and was allegedly forced out. She had not contacted anyone since she went missing, and there had been no activity on her bank accounts since that day. On May 27, Inspector Thompson said police were investigating whether evidence had been removed from the initial search site after receiving new information. On June 6, human remains were discovered during the search, and Pheobe's family later confirmed they belonged to the missing teenager. On Monday, Pheobe's family and friends gathered for a private, emotionally charged funeral following a series of community vigils held in her memory. More to come.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Yahoo
Third person charged over murder of Pheobe Bishop
A third person has been charged over the disappearance and murder of teenager Pheobe Bishop. Queensland Police have charged a 30-year-old man with two counts of accessory after the fact to murder, alleging he used Pheobe's mobile phone to interfere with investigations. The man was charged around 7pm on Tuesday in Bundaberg West, one day after family and friends farewelled the 17-year-old at a private service in the south east Queensland town. Pheobe was last seen near Bundaberg airport about 8.30am on May 15 after booking a trip to Western Australia to see her boyfriend. Queensland Police allege her housemates, Tanika Bromley and James Wood, drove Pheobe close to the airport in a grey Hyundai, but no one left the car. She was allegedly murdered and her body was moved more than once from the Good Night Scrub National Park, an hour's drive from the airport. Phone data led officers to focus their search on the national park before her remains were found on June 6. Wood, 34, and Bromley, 33, remain behind bars and will face court on August 11, charged with murder and interfering with a corpse. Six weeks after Pheobe disappeared, family and friends laid the "free-spirited" teen to rest while donning bright colours at a service on Monday. Multiple candlelit vigils attended by hundreds have been held across Bundaberg and Gin Gin in recent weeks, remembering how Pheobe lived life to the fullest. The 30-year-old man charged is expected to face the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
