Third person charged after death of missing Bundaberg teen Pheobe Bishop

A third person has been charged in relation to the alleged murder of the missing teen, whose remains were found in bushland.

A third person has been charged in relation to the alleged murder of Pheobe Bishop.

Police allege 30-year-old Kieren Daniel Mittelheuser used the teenager’s phone to interfere with their investigation following her death.

The Bundaberg man was arrested shortly after 7pm on Tuesday in Bundaberg West and has been charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to murder.

He is also charged with driving without a licence, fraud, and possessing drugs.

Police allege 30-year-old Kieren Daniel Mittelheuser used the teenager’s phone to interfere with their investigation following her death. Picture: Supplied / QLD Police

On Wednesday, police released bodycam footage of the arrest, showing at least four officers surrounding a man dressed in shorts, thongs, and a grey jumper as he stands behind a silver coloured car outside a fast food restaurant.

He is then seen placing his hands behind his back as officers handcuff him.

On Wednesday, police released bodycam footage of the arrest, showing at least four officers surrounding a man as he stands behind a silver coloured car outside a fast food restaurant. Picture: Supplied / QLD Police

Mr Mittelheuser will appear at Bundaberg Magistrates Court later on Wednesday.

Pheobe, 17, disappeared on her way to Bundaberg Airport on May 15. She was flying to Western Australia via Brisbane to visit her boyfriend. 

A third person has been charged in relation to the death of Pheobe Bishop. Picture Facebook

Her housemates at the time, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, are both charged with murder and interfering with a corpse in relation to the teenager’s disappearance.

Police allege the pair killed Pheobe and moved her body “more than once” afterwards.

They remain before the courts.

Pheobe’s disappearance triggered a widespread search, with her family turning to social media in a desperate appeal for information about her location and safe return.

Police focused their initial investigation on the home the teenager shared in a small town about 50km west of Bundaberg, where forensic teams searched the property for any sign of her.

Tanika Bromley lived at the Gin Gin address with her partner James Wood and Pheobe.

Mr Woods has been charged with murder.

Search efforts then shifted to bushland in Good Night Scrub National Park, with crews combing the area for clues.

Detectives revealed there was no evidence Pheobe had been dropped off at Bundaberg Airport, as initially claimed.

Acting Police Inspector Ryan Thompson said investigators were looking into reports that Pheobe had been involved in an argument with someone in a car and was allegedly forced out.

She had not contacted anyone since she went missing, and there had been no activity on her bank accounts since that day.

On May 27, Inspector Thompson said police were investigating whether evidence had been removed from the initial search site after receiving new information.

On June 6, human remains were discovered during the search, and Pheobe’s family later confirmed they belonged to the missing teenager.

On Monday, Pheobe’s family and friends gathered for a private, emotionally charged funeral following a series of community vigils held in her memory.

More to come.

Originally published as Third person charged after death of missing Bundaberg teen Pheobe Bishop