Tears, hugs flow as ‘beautiful soul’ Pheobe Bishop laid to rest by family, friends

Heartbreaking scenes have emerged at a funeral service for slain teen Pheobe Bishop as family and friends gathered to say their goodbyes.

The family of a teenager allegedly murdered by her housemates has issued a touching message thanking people for their “kindness and support” as the child was laid to rest on Monday.

Pheobe Bishop was remembered as a “beautiful soul” at a private funeral in Bundaberg, with family and friends gathering in remembrance of her being “forever 17”.

Pheobe, 17, was last seen alive on the morning of May 15 at Airport Dr in Bundaberg, where she was due to fly to Brisbane and then to Western Australia to visit her boyfriend.

Pheobe Bishop will be laid to rest by family and friends at a private funeral in Bundaberg. Picture: Supplied

The 17-year-old disappeared from the Bundaberg area in May. Her remains were found in the Good Night National Scrub Park outside of Gin Gin in June. Picture: Supplied

She was declared missing after she failed to check in to her scheduled flight – sparking a massive search effort that lasted weeks.

It ended in tragedy when police confirmed human remains discovered in the Good Night National Scrub Park outside of Gin Gin on June 6 were Pheobe’s.

Pheobe’s housemates Tanika Bromley, 33 and James Wood, 34, have been charged with the teenager’s murder. They are also facing two counts each of misconduct with a corpse.

The hearse leaves Pheobe Bishop’s funeral service, surrounded by her family and friends. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Many donned bright colours for the service, in remembrance of Pheobe. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Family, friends and supporters of Pheobe and her family were seen embracing in tears outside the chapel. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Family and friends of the teen gathered for a private ceremony to farewell the bright and bubbly teen on Monday afternoon, lining the streets as the hearse left the chapel in the pouring rain.

Many could be seen clad in bright colours to pay tribute to Pheobe.

A pamphlet for the service shared with NewsWire depicts a beaming Pheobe posing against a backdrop of the 12 Apostles landmark along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

A pamphlet for the service. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

“Pheobe’s family would like to thank you for your kindness and support,” a message from the family inside the pamphlet states.

“Your expressions of sympathy and thoughtfulness will always be gratefully remembered and deeply appreciated.”

The online funeral notice for Pheobe – affectionately known as “Nanny McPhee” – states she was “late of Gin Gin and formerly of Windsor, New South Wales.

“Beloved daughter of Kylie and Ray, Kevin and Stacey. Dearly loved sister of Jamie, Jesse, Kaylea, Ruby-Leigh, Aybel and sister-in-law to Janay. Loving aunty to Tallullah.

“Much loved niece, cousin and friend to many”.

Pheobe (right, pictured with her mother Kylie Johnson) has been remembered as a ‘beautiful soul’ by mourners. Picture: Facebook

Pheobe’s family have requested donations to the teen’s GoFundMe page – which has amassed more than $8000 – in lieu of floral tributes.

Messages on the funeral notice pay tribute to the free-spirited girl, who is being remembered for being “forever 17.”

One woman, known only as Ashley, wrote: “My sincerest condolences to Kylie and family. Sending so much love and strength to everyone. May your beautiful soul rest in peace Pheobe!”

Holly Morton said she would “forever cherish” their memories together, writing Pheobe would “truly will be missed by those that knew you and now the world”.

Pheobe Bishop’s sister Kaylea (centre) embraces a supporter following the service. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

“Thank you for being the human you were … Missing you more the ever Phee,” her message continues.

Others offered condolences to Pheobe’s mother Kylie Johnson and her siblings.

In a message on June 28, Allison Schultz and Kaylee-Jayde Wallace wrote: “Kaylee-Jayde and I (Allison), send our love and deepest heartfelt condolences to Kylie and Ray and all the family. May she always fly with the butterflies!”

Pheobe Bishop’s mother Kylie Johnson (left) after the service. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

A woman known as Shayna wrote: “To Phoebe’s family, I’m so very sorry for your loss, I hadn’t known her but she seemed like such a beautiful young girl. I’m glad you’re able to put her to rest, so she’s able to be at peace.”

Dozens of people have already paid tribute to Pheobe through the online funeral notice. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Heartbreak for ‘perfectly unique’ daughter

Monday’s private service follows weeks of tributes from a community left in mourning at the teen’s sudden death.

In a statement on Monday, Ms Johnson told the ABC the family was “devastated” they had to navigate the tragedy.

“This is absolutely everybody’s worst nightmare, however, we promised to get Phee home and give her a send-off that Phee would approve of and that’s what will happen,” Ms Johnson told the network.

A public vigil was held for Pheobe in Bundaberg. Picture: NewsWire / Paul Beutel

Attendees left notes to pay respect to the slain teen. Picture: NewsWire / Paul Beutel

Floral tributes across the Gin Gin and Bundaberg regions emerged in the wake of Pheobe’s disappearance – including outside the house she was living in with Mr Wood and Ms Bromley.

A candlelight vigil was held in Bundaberg on June 9, with attendees adorning flowers, candles and decorations around a large tree.

Paying tribute to her daughter, Ms Johnson said she never expected a situation like that would happen to her.

“Now, unfortunately, we know that she is not going to come home to us,” she said.

Pheobe's sister Kaylea Bishop and mother Kylie Johnson speak at the vigil in Bundaberg. Picture: NewsWire / Paul Beutel

“I have no words that could ever, ever describe what the last three-and-a-half weeks … it’s just weighed us down.”

She recalled her daughter always being her “perfectly uniquely” self, saying she was “glorious”.

“Phee was more than glorious,” she said.

“She was compassionate, she was caring, she was resilient, she was relentless at times.”

Another vigil was held in Gin Gin a day earlier.

Originally published as Tears, hugs flow as ‘beautiful soul’ Pheobe Bishop laid to rest by family, friends