Following the tragic discovery of human remains believed to belong to 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop, the Bundaberg community is in mourning. The remains were found on a remote road near Good Night Scrub National Park, approximately 60 minutes from her home in Gin Gin, during an ongoing police search for the missing teenager. Forensic testing is underway to confirm the identity.
Pheobe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, expressed her heartbreak, stating the news has devastated her further than when Pheobe first went missing, dealing with the emotional weight of charges laid against her housemates. One of her closest friends, Mikayla Howarth, has set up a floral tribute in Camden, Sydney, remembering Pheobe as a person with a truly kind heart, illuminating every space she entered with her vibrant spirit.
The community in Gin Gin plans to hold a candlelight vigil to honour Pheobe, encouraging attendees to wear bright colours and butterflies in celebration of her life. Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn acknowledged the distress felt throughout the region, highlighting that the past few weeks have brought unprecedented tragedy to their community.
Bouquets and heartfelt letters have begun to accumulate at the location where Pheobe was last seen near Bundaberg Airport, with many messages commemorating her youth with phrases like “Forever 17.” Meanwhile, two of her housemates, James Wood and Tanika Bromley, aged 34 and 33 respectively, face serious charges including one count of murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse after their arrest in Bundaberg.
Pheobe was reported missing after failing to check in for a flight to Western Australia on May 15, and multiple crime scenes have been established for the investigation, including her home, her housemate’s vehicle, and the area where the remains were located. Police have urged the public for any information regarding Pheobe and the movements of the grey Hyundai IX35 driven by her housemate between May 15 and 18 in the Gin Gin vicinity. The investigation remains active as the community seeks closure amidst the unfolding tragedy.