A 34-year-old man has been arrested by Queensland Police as part of the investigation into the mysterious disappearance of 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop. Although he is “assisting police with enquiries,” no charges have been filed against him thus far.
Pheobe was last seen around 8:30 AM on May 15 when her housemates dropped her off at Bundaberg Airport. She was set to fly to Western Australia via Brisbane to see her boyfriend. However, authorities reported that she failed to check in for her flight or enter the airport terminal.
Today marks the 20th day since Pheobe’s disappearance. Her mother, Kylie Johnson, expressed her anguish on social media, saying she is still “missing” her daughter and questioning if life would ever return to normal. She urged those who might have information about Pheobe’s whereabouts to come forward and report it to the police.
Investigations into Pheobe’s case are ongoing, with assistance from the homicide squad. Although physical searches have been suspended, police confirmed that they will resume if new information arises. Prior searches focused on Good Night Scrub National Park, about an hour from where Pheobe was last seen, where police seized items linked to her disappearance, although the specifics remain confidential. There are concerns that evidence may have been moved prior to their investigation.
Two crime scenes have been established: Pheobe’s home in Gin Gin and her housemate’s grey Hyundai ix35, which was found to contain firearms and ammunition. Her housemates, Tanika Bromley and James Wood, have been charged with unrelated firearm offences; however, there are no allegations linking them to Pheobe’s disappearance.
Pheobe is described as approximately 180 centimetres tall, with a pale complexion, long dyed red hair, and hazel eyes. She was last seen dressed in a green tank top and grey sweatpants, carrying luggage that is now also missing. Her family has noted that her disappearance is highly out of character.
Queensland Police are appealing for public assistance, requesting anyone with information or sightings of the grey Hyundai ix35 in the Gin Gin area between May 15 and May 18 to come forward.