The Heartbreaking Sequence of Events Surrounding Pheobe Bishop's Disappearance

Share this @internewscast.com

More than three weeks have passed since 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop vanished, with human remains discovered and vigils taking place in her memory.

Efforts to locate the teenager began immediately after she was reported missing in May, and her mother has continuously appealed to the public for assistance.

Recently, two individuals have been arrested as officers discovered remains in a national park that may belong to her.

Here are the key events from the search for Pheobe Bishop.

15 May: The missed flight

On 15 May, Bishop had been booked to fly from Bundaberg in central Queensland to Western Australia to visit her boyfriend. She was seen near the airport that day at around 8.30am, but she did not board the flight.

Bishop had been living in Gin Gin, about 50km from Bundaberg, with housemates 34-year-old James Wood and 33-year-old Tamika Bromley.

16 May: Missing person alert issued

Queensland Police issued a missing person alert on 16 May, appealing for public assistance to locate the 17-year-old.

According to the alert, Bishop was last seen carrying luggage and wearing a green tank top with grey sweatpants.

On the same day, her mother Kylie Johnson posted a heartfelt appeal on Facebook, urging anyone with information about Pheobe to reach out to family or authorities.

21 May: Police call for information

On 21 May, police renewed calls for anyone with information to come forward, including dashcam or CCTV footage of the grey Hyundai ix35, thought to have been used to take Bishop to the airport.

Detective Acting Inspector Ryan Thompson informed the press of the police’s concerns for her well-being, emphasizing that it was unusual for her to not contact anyone.

A teenage girl smiling and sticking her tongue out with her hand in a 'peace' sign

Pheobe Bishop was last seen on 15 May. Source: AAP / SUPPLIED/PR IMAGE

“You may have the small piece of information that leads us to finding Pheobe,” he said.

“People don’t vanish. Someone knows something and we’re urging anyone with information to contact police immediately.”

Thompson said Bishop’s housemates had spoken to officers and were cooperating, and the property and car were declared crime scenes.

23 May: Search expanded

Homicide detectives and police divers joined the search for Bishop as the operation expanded to include a national park.

Police said there were still no persons of interest in their investigation, but the search expanded about 40km south of Gin Gin, looking at the Good Night Scrub National Park.

Police later said there was reason to believe evidence may have been moved from the park before investigators arrived.

31 May: Family statement

In a video statement, Johnson again appealed for anybody with information about her daughter’s disappearance to contact police.

“This is a pain no person or family should ever have to experience,” she said.

“Pheobe was a beautiful, loving, kind person, and everyday not knowing where she has been is devastating for us.”

A woman wearing a pink striped shirt and glasses speaking into a camera with Australian flags in the background

Kylie Johnson spoke on video asking for information about her missing daughter Pheobe Bishop. Source: AAP / SUPPLIED/PR IMAGE

She thanked the police for their work, and the community for their support.

“I still hold hope that Pheobe will come home, but I have to consider the possibility that she also won’t,” she said.

“If the worst-case scenario has happened, I at least need to know where she is resting. I need to know where Pheobe is.”

5 June: Housemates charged with murder

On 5 June, Wood and Bromley were arrested and charged with murder, police announced.

They were each also charged with two counts of interfering with a corpse.

“The remains of Pheobe Bishop have not been located to date,” a police statement said that night.

“Detectives continue to investigate this matter, and physical searches will continue as needed as information is provided.”

Wood and Bromley have been remanded in custody ahead of their next court appearance on 11 August

6 June: Human remains located

The following day, police located human remains following a search of an area near Good Night Scrub National Park. The remains have not yet been formally identified.

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

“I didn’t think my heart could break anymore than it did when you went missing, or when the charges were laid but this! This is ripping me apart,” Johnson wrote in a Facebook post.

A police vehicle driving through a national park

Police have discovered human remains in their search for Pheobe Bishop. Source: AAP / Queensland Police

The same day, Wood and Bromley’s matter was mentioned in Bundaberg Magistrates Court, with Bishop’s sister Kaylea in attendance.

“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.”

7 June: Police press conference

“We have been in contact with Pheobe’s family and advised them of this development. Understandably, this has caused great distress to them,” he said.

He said further testing and examination will occur, with the view of formally identifying the remains, and supporting Queensland Police’s brief of evidence to date.

Mansfield said the area where human remains were found was an extension “not too far” from the original search area.

“We are engaging with legal representatives from both of those accused,” he said.

“Coupled with snippets of information and also telecommunications data, that’s allowed us to find this location independently.”

Community vigils

Members of the Bundaberg and Gin Gin communities are paying tribute to Bishop and offering support to her family.

Floral tributes have been laid outside the property she shared with Wood and Bronley, and a vigil was held at Kolan Community Park between 4pm and 6pm on Sunday.

A second vigil will be held on Monday at Buss Park in Bundaberg from 5pm. Attendees have been asked to bring a candle and wear bright colours and butterflies in honour of Bishop.

A fundraiser has also been created on GoFundMe to raise money for donations to the volunteers and community organisations that supported the search. Organisers say funds will also be donated to charities chosen by the family that align with Bishop’s values.

— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.