Flatmate of missing teen Pheobe Bishop arrested on unrelated charge after weapons allegedly found

The housemate of a missing teenager has been arrested on an unrelated charge after a police raid on a vehicle and home linked to the girl’s disappearance.

The flatmate of missing 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop has been charged with unrelated gun offences after police allegedly found weapons in a car at the centre of the teen’s disappearance. 

The 33-year-old woman, identified as Pheobe’s flatmate Tanika Kristan Bromley, was arrested in Millbank in Queensland’s Bundaberg region on Saturday, May 25, and has since been refused police bail.

She appeared in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Monday.

Police allege a shortened firearm, ammunition and two replica handguns were found inside a grey Hyundai ix35, while further ammunition was discovered at a Gin Gin home. Both the vehicle and residence had previously been declared crime scenes as part of a separate investigation.

Ms Bromley has been charged with two counts of authority required to possess explosives, and one count each of possessing/acquiring restricted items and unlawful possession of weapons. Her partner and Phoebe’s other housemate, James Wood, reportedly attended court to support her.

Both Ms Bromley and Mr Wood have been interviewed by police and there is no suggestion they were involved in Pheobe’s disappearance.

Pheobe Bishop disappeared without a trace on May 15. Picture: Facebook

The teenager was supposed to fly to Brisbane but failed to board the plane.

The Hyundai and the Gin Gin property are both being forensically examined as part of ongoing investigations.

The court appearance comes shortly after police separately uncovered evidence believed to be linked to the disappearance of Pheobe, who has now been missing for 11 days.

In a statement released on Monday, the Queensland Police Service said it had seized several items they believe are connected to the 17-year-old going missing.

Police say these items are now undergoing forensic examination but have not disclosed what they are or where they were recovered.

Specialist units are continuing to search the greater Good Night Scrub National Park and Gin Gin areas, supported by aerial resources and the SES.

Police have expanded the search zone after recent investigations suggested evidence may have been moved from the Good Night Scrub area before their arrival.

Detectives are urging anyone with information, footage, or sightings of a grey Hyundai ix35 in the greater Gin Gin region between May 15 and 18 to come forward.

The teenager’s brother has asked a heartbreaking questions as the search enters its 11th day. Picture: Facebook

The little brother often asks where his big sister has gone. Picture: Facebook

Pheobe has not been seen or heard from since May 15. She is described as about 180cm tall, with a pale complexion, long dyed red hair, and hazel eyes.

The 17-year-old was last seen 11 days ago, when she was due to fly from Bundaberg to Brisbane before travelling to Western Australia to see a friend on May 15.

However, she failed to board the plane and has not been seen since.

In a social media post, Kylie Johnson, the teenager’s mum, said not knowing what had happened to her daughter was causing them to live in a “cyclone of uncertainty”.

“As we enter day 11 of Pheobe still not being home, our numbness to our tears, to our hearts breaking and this hell is heavy,” she said on Monday morning.

“Not knowing what to say, what to do or even how to continue to live in this cyclone of uncertainty.

“The tears come, the anger and frustrations come and most of all our hearts are shattering more and more each day.”

Ms Johnson recalled how Pheobe’s disappearance affected her younger brother, sharing images of the siblings together.

“Your little man/brother asked yesterday ‘Why won’t Phee take our calls? She always takes our calls!’” she wrote.

Pheobe's mother Kylie Johnson posted this photo to her Facebook page on Saturday morning. Picture: Facebook

“Mate I wish I knew but we have to believe that the police and the lights that our amazing community are leaving on will going to bring her home to us."

For the past two days, police have been searching the bushland within the Good Night Scrub National Park, south of Gin Gin.

Cadaver dogs, which are specially trained to locate human remains, were introduced to the investigation on Sunday,

On Saturday, Ms Johnson delivered another impassioned plea for her daughter’s safe return.

“Another day and minimal answers … Phee still isn’t home and someone somewhere has to know something,” she posted to Facebook.

“I’m absolutely begging anyone with any information to contact the Queensland Police Service.

“It could be the smallest of details, you might even think it’s irrelevant information but it could be the key to bringing Pheobe home.

“Thank you to our family, friends and community! Your thoughts love, respect and kindness are appreciated more than you could know or imagine.”

In a statement released with Queensland Police on Saturday, Ms Johnson described her daughter as a “wild Gypsy banshee” who “has always been strong willed and followed her own beat to life”.

Homicide detectives and the dive squad are searching for the missing teenager. Picture: Paul Beutel/ NewsWire

“I’ve always called her my ‘Wild Gypsy Banshee’,” Ms Johnson said.

“I’ve told everyone since Phee’s birth that she’s the one I always expected to call me from overseas saying, ‘Hey Mumzie mate; I’m in Amsterdam and checking in’.

“You can’t tame Phee’s spirit, empathy or fight for life. She is sassy, feisty and loves harder than anyone I’ve ever met.

“Phee loves beyond comprehension and is loyal to her siblings.

“Phee just loved life; music blaring, she’d say, ‘come on Mumzie, let’s dance’.”

Ms Johnson urged the teenager to return home.

“We need her home,’ she said.

“We need to hear her music, feel her hugs and hear her voice.”

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers, including any movement in the Good Night Scrub area on May 15, particularly in the Mingo Rd and Gayndah Rd areas.

Originally published as Flatmate of missing teen Pheobe Bishop arrested on unrelated charge after weapons allegedly found