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Missing Teen Phoebe Bishop: Remains Confirmed as Family Grieves
The family of Phoebe Bishop, a teenager who disappeared on her way to Bundaberg Airport in central Queensland on May 15, have confirmed that human remains discovered in bushland have been identified as hers. This tragic development follows weeks of searching and community mourning. The Bishop family is now asking for privacy as they process this devastating news and begin to grieve.
Arrests Made in Connection with Phoebe Bishop’s Disappearance
James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, who were housemates of Phoebe Bishop, were charged with her murder on June 5, more than three weeks after she vanished. The grim discovery of the teenager’s remains occurred the following day in a remote, wooded area near a national park, approximately an hour’s drive from Bundaberg Airport. Authorities allege the suspects moved her body on more than one occasion.
Family Expresses Gratitude, Requests Privacy
Police representatives informed the Bishop family on Monday that the remains were positively identified as Phoebe. In a released statement, the family conveyed their appreciation:
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- “Our family would like to thank everyone involved, from those who reported information to those who participated in the search efforts, and everyone who has sent heartwarming messages.”
- “We just would also like to have time to process and grieve this new information as a family and ask for privacy at this time.”
Police Investigation Ongoing
A statement released by Queensland Police on Tuesday afternoon confirmed the somber development and renewed their appeal for information regarding Phoebe’s last known movements.
“Human remains located at an area near Good Night Scrub National Park are that of missing teenager Pheobe Bishop,” authorities stated.
“The remains were discovered during a search of the area on June 6. Investigations into locating more items of interest in relation to this matter remain ongoing.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information relevant to Phoebe Bishop or the movements of a grey Hyundai IX35 between May 15 and 18 in the greater Gin Gin area to come forward.
Details Surrounding Phoebe Bishop’s Disappearance
Phoebe was last seen being driven to Bundaberg Airport by Wood and Bromley, supposedly to catch a flight to Western Australia to visit her boyfriend. However, she never appeared on airport security footage. Their vehicle was sighted near the airport on that day.
According to court records, it is alleged that she was murdered on Airport Drive in Bundaberg, the location where she was last seen with her luggage, which is still missing.
Prosecutors claim Bromley and Wood interfered with her corpse on May 15 and again two days later, when Phoebe’s body was purportedly relocated to Good Night Scrub National Park.
Legal Proceedings and Evidence
Wood and Bromley are currently in custody and are scheduled to appear in court again in August.
Detectives reportedly used DNA evidence obtained from Phoebe’s clothing and hair discovered at the scene to confirm her identity. Her body was left in a remote area with feral dogs and wild pigs.
Law enforcement confirmed that Phoebe’s remains were not buried at the recovery site.
Community Mourns
Phoebe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, was notified of the discovery of human remains shortly before the information was released to the public.
“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 wrote in an online post after the news went public.
Tributes and Remembrance
A convoy of over 50 vehicles traveled from Gin Gin to Bundaberg on Sunday to commemorate Phoebe’s life.
An outpouring of tributes has come from community members and from Phoebe’s boyfriend, Levi, who had been anticipating a beach getaway with her.
Heartbreak for Levi
Levi’s father, Rick, spoke on his son’s behalf and revealed Levi remains deeply traumatized by Phoebe’s passing. The family wants to commemorate the special connection between the sweethearts.
“Levi absolutely adored Pheobe,” Rick stated.
He disclosed this tragedy follows another devastating event in Levi’s life, as he lost his mother in a car accident in Bundaberg just four years prior – which encouraged to family to move across the country.
“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 shared.
He added that the teenagers were eager for their reunion and had meticulously organized every element.
“Levi had bought Pheobe a Canon camera worth $1000 because she wanted to get into photography,” Rick 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.”