Remains found in search for Pheobe Bishop after housemates face court

Police said the remains, believed to be Pheobe, were found on Friday near a national park southwest of the town where Bishop had lived.

A selfie of a smiling teenage girl with long light brown hair.

Pheobe Bishop — a 17-year-old from Gin Gin, north of Brisbane — had not been seen or heard from since 15 May. Source: Supplied / Queensland Police

The body of missing and suspected-murdered teenager Pheobe Bishop has been found in national park bushland on the same day two housemates faced court charged over her death.

Police confirmed the remains, believed to be Pheobe, were found about 2.30pm on Friday near Good Night Scrub National Park, southwest of Bundaberg in Queensland.

Pheobe's mother Kylie Johnson — who has documented the heartbreaking toll of her daughter's disappearance in regular social media updates — was quick to share her grief.

"I didn't think my heart could break anymore then it did when you went missing, or when the charges were laid but this! This is ripping me apart ..." she posted on Facebook.

Detectives have set up a crime scene where the body was found and continue to appeal for further information.

Earlier on Friday Pheobe's sister Kaylea Bishop issued a heartbreaking plea to find her sibling outside a southern Queensland court where James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were remanded in custody.

Pheobe's two housemates have been charged with murder and two counts each of interfering with a corpse.
A screenshot from a video shows a man in black T-shirt being led by the arm of another man.
James Wood is one of two of Pheobe Bishop's housemates who have been charged with her murder. Credit: AAP Image / Supplied by Queensland Police
They were arrested on Thursday night, marking three weeks to the day since the 17-year-old missed a flight and vanished.

Pheobe's sister was flanked by supporters at Bundaberg Magistrates Court, where Wood and Bromley's matter was mentioned on Friday.

Locals gathered outside court including one holding up a sign in support of the missing teen's shattered family as Pheobe's sister launched her tearful appeal.

"If you've got any information about Pheobe ... just come forward," she told reporters.

"Three weeks is too long for us as a family. We just want her home.

"She was loved, she's missed dearly."
A young woman with dark hair in a black top stands outside a courthouse with eyes red from crying.
Pheobe Bishop's sister Kaylea issued an emotional plea for help to find her missing sister Pheobe's body on Friday outside the Bundaberg Magistrates Court. Credit: AAP Image / Supplied by ABC NEWS
Police allege Wood and Bromley moved Pheobe's body more than once.

"Whilst we always hoped to find Pheobe alive, our investigation ... quite clearly showed us that that was not going to be a viable outcome," Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said.

Pheobe was last seen near Bundaberg airport about 8.30am on May 15 after booking a trip to Western Australia to see her boyfriend.

Wood and Bromley were housemates with Pheobe at a Gin Gin property near Bundaberg.

Police allege the pair drove the 17-year-old close to the airport in a grey Hyundai but no one exited the car.

Pheobe was allegedly murdered and her body moved more than once from the Good Night Scrub National Park, an hour's drive from the airport.

Police had previously searched the park, saying their investigations indicated evidence may have been moved before officers arrived.
A police SUV drives through a grassy woodland area.
Police have seized items from a national park near Gin Gin in their search for Pheobe Bishop. Credit: AAP Image / Supplied by Queensland Police
Phone data had led to officers focusing their search on the park, police said.

Police believe they understand the motive for Pheobe's alleged murder, the detective said.

Wood's SUV has been seized by police for forensic examination.

He had been living in the vehicle after the Gin Gin property he shared with Bromley and Pheobe was declared a crime scene following the teen's disappearance.

Police bodycam footage released on Friday showed the moment Wood was arrested in the Bundaberg area, with an officer telling him he was being taken into custody over the "homicide" of Pheobe.

Wood and Bromley have been remanded in custody ahead of their next court appearance on 11 August.
They had earlier been charged with unrelated weapons offences after police allegedly found a shortened firearm, ammunition and two replica handguns in their car and home.

The Gin Gin community is set to hold a vigil for Pheobe in coming days.

"It's a sad day for the community and a devastating one for Pheobe's family," Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn told AAP.


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Source: AAP


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