Queensland Police Confirm Discovery Near Good Night Scrub National Park
Queensland Police have confirmed the discovery of human remains during the ongoing search for missing 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop, marking a tragic development in a case that has gripped the state. The remains were located on Friday afternoon in dense bushland near Good Night Scrub National Park, not far from Gin Gin in the Bundaberg region.
Police have advised that forensic testing has identified the remains as human. While formal identification is yet to be completed, Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield stated that the discovery is “consistent with the time frame when Pheobe went missing.”
Inspector Mansfield confirmed that the discovered remains are human. [Credit: ABC News/James C Taylor]
Pheobe Bishop Last Seen on May 15
Pheobe Bishop was last seen on 15 May, reportedly on her way to Bundaberg Airport to fly to Western Australia to visit her boyfriend. However, police later confirmed she never entered the airport terminal. CCTV allegedly captured her in a vehicle with her two housemates, James Wood (34) and Tanika Bromley (33), but she was never seen exiting the vehicle.
A few days later, concerns escalated and a missing persons case was launched. Following a comprehensive investigation, police arrested and charged Wood and Bromley with one count of murder and two counts each of interfering with a corpse.
Remains Discovered in Extension of Original Search Area
Detective Inspector Mansfield said the remains were found around 2:30pm on Friday as officers extended their search area further into bushland. Cadaver dogs were used during the operation, and the site has since been declared a crime scene.
“The area is unforgiving terrain,” Mansfield said. “It may take some time to finish the forensic examination.”
Importantly, police believe the remains were not buried, which could provide critical clues in the investigation. “Additional testing will occur not only with a view of formally identifying those remains but also to support our brief of evidence and our investigation to date,” he added.
Arrests Made: Wood and Bromley Charged with Murder
On Thursday night, police arrested Pheobe’s housemates, Wood and Bromley, at a property near Bundaberg. The pair, who shared a home with Pheobe in Gin Gin, were charged with murder and interfering with a corpse. Their case was briefly mentioned in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday, with both defendants remanded in custody until August 11.
Detective Inspector Mansfield confirmed that police are working closely with the legal teams of both accused. He also noted that telecommunications data and public assistance played a vital role in identifying the location where the remains were found.
Police have confirmed suspected remains found in the search for Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop have been identified as human. [Collected from: 9 News/Supplied]
Key Evidence Still Missing
Despite the breakthrough, police say Pheobe’s phone and travel luggage have not yet been located. Authorities continue to appeal for public assistance regarding the movements of a grey Hyundai IX35, believed to have been used by the accused between 15 and 18 May in the greater Gin Gin area.
CCTV footage, dashcam recordings, or any sightings of the vehicle may provide valuable information in helping investigators piece together the events leading up to Pheobe’s suspected murder.
Grieving Family and Mourning Community
The discovery of the remains has devastated Pheobe’s family. Her mother, Kylie Johnson, said: “I didn’t think my heart could break any more than it did when you went missing, or when the charges were laid, but this, this is ripping me apart.”
The small community of Gin Gin has rallied around the family in an outpouring of support. Floral tributes have been laid outside the home Pheobe once shared with Wood and Bromley, and a candlelight vigil has been organised for Sunday evening to honour her memory.
Pheobe’s sister, Kaylea Bishop, appeared at the court hearing on Friday surrounded by supporters. The Bishop family’s loss has sent shockwaves throughout Bundaberg and beyond.
Bundaberg Mayor Urges Unity
Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn reflected on the community’s deep sorrow, stating: “We believe our community to be kind and accepting. To have this tragedy happen in our region… it’s been very difficult trying to make sense of it.”
She continued, “We now need to come together as a community, support and care for one another as we try to move forward.”
Ongoing Investigation
While the discovery of human remains is a major development, police stress that the investigation is ongoing. Forensic teams will continue analysing the site, and officers remain hopeful that additional information from the public will assist with further leads.
Police have reiterated their request for anyone with information about Pheobe’s final movements or the grey Hyundai to come forward. Detective Inspector Mansfield concluded, “We always wanted to bring Pheobe home, and we believe this is the first step in that process.”
