Gin Gin residents speak about the shock of Pheobe Bishop’s disappearance

The tight-knit rural town of Gin Gin has been rocked to its core with residents left grappling with the feeling there is a “monster in the community”.

• Watch: Mum’s heartfelt plea

The tight-knit rural town of Gin Gin has been rocked to its core with residents left grappling with the feeling there is a “monster in the community” in the weeks following the disappearance of 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop.

A peaceful 40 minute drive from Bundaberg, the shop windows are plastered with missing person posters featuring Pheobe’s face.

Pictures of her, some with handwritten notes that read: “her name is Pheobe”, also cover the walls inside. It’s been that way since she first disappeared on May 15. Anxious residents are desperate for answers.

Detectives have been investigating Pheobe’s suspicious disappearance after she was supposed to be dropped off at Bundaberg Airport but never boarded her flight.

Quiet streets of Gin Gin. Picture: Liam Kidston

Queensland Police believe Pheobe did not make it to Bundaberg Airport. Her housemates they dropped her there.

It’s all the community can talk about: “Have you heard any new information? Do you know the latest?”

The mood is sombre and the streets are eerily quiet, with many in the town choosing keep their kids at home while they wait for answers over concerns a “monster” is in the community.

The people know each other well – which is why they say they are shocked something like this could happen in their own town.

But residents have rallied together, working their hardest to help spread the word, desperate for information for Pheobe’s mother, who many say deserve answers.

Resident Clarissa Farrow said Pheobe’s disappearance has “really rocked” the community.

“Our hearts go out to the family and hope she’s found,” she said.

Clarissa Farrow, Town of Gin Gin. Picture: Liam Kidston

Sophie Lawson, who works at a local cafe, said nothing like this has happened since she had been living there.

“We’re such a small community, and for something like this to happen, everybody’s on high alert,” she said.

“People come in, they ask if I knew her, because I’m young.

“People don’t really want their kids out as much anymore. Everybody’s more stressed about the people that are in a community.”

Sophie Lawson, Town of Gin Gin. Picture: Liam Kidston

Ms Lawson said Gin Gin is a “good community” but recent events had put cracks in the homely feeling it once had.

Hot Bread Fred manager Kerrie Richardson told The Courier-Mail everyone was devastated and shocked.

“They’re absolutely reeling. She’s one of us,” she said.

“In these tiny country towns. Everyone knows everyone, or if you don’t know them personally, you know someone who does,.”

“There seems to be a monster in our community. We don’t know what happened to her, but it’s highly likely something bad’s really happened.

Kerrin Richardson, Hot Bread Fred bakery manager in the town of Gin Gin. Picture: Liam Kidston

“And everyone’s just shocked that there is a monster in the community. And it’s weird, you pass a sign that says Queensland’s friendliest town, but there’s a monster here.”

It has been a horror fortnight for the area. Tragically, a three-year-old girl was allegedly murdered by her mother in the front yard of their Moore Park Beach home, just north of Bundaberg.

Sophia Rose, remembered for her “big eyes” and “infectious laugh”, died on Monday, with her mother Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, charged with murder after she allegedly stabbed her multiple times.

In Gin Gin, Ms Richardson said people were trying to do their part to try and get some answers.

“It’s all the community is talking about,” she said.

“Everyone just wants to know what happened and get some closure, because everyone’s been hit by it.”

Mack and Lulu Specialty Coffee House Owner Tracey Berends said everyone was just hoping for the truth to come to light for Pheobe’s family.

Missing 17-year-old girl continues.,, Pheobe Bishop, pictured, has not been seen or heard from since May 15.,, A property in Gin Gin and a grey Hyundai ix35 are active crime scenes.

“I want to actually really put forward how much of an amazing mum Kylie is,” she said.

“I know Kylie and Pheobe and the rest of her family very well, and I love them all dearly, and they’re a beautiful family.”

She said Pheobe’s mother Kylie was heartbroken.

“It’s affecting everybody. It’s a sad time, like, it’s sad here, it’s really sad. People just want Pheobe to come home,” she said.

“I’m so proud of our community. Our community has just come together. It’s a beautiful thing. And I said this to Kylie the other day, that out of this, our community has rallied around for Kylie, and they have shown her nothing but love and support for her and her family.

“We’re proud of our police. We’re proud of our SES, We’ve seen how hard they’re working in that as well.”

Ms Berends said she has known Pheobe for a long time.

“I’ve seen them grow up since I’ve been here, I’ve been here eight years now, and I’ve seen the girls grow up and beautiful girls at the end of the day,” she said.

“And she always just had this smile that would light up any room when she walked into it. A teenager nonetheless. And teenagers like to do their own things at times, and that’s just what they do.

“She’s a gorgeous, beautiful person, and we all love her, so we just wanted to come home.”

Originally published as Gin Gin residents speak about the shock of Pheobe Bishop’s disappearance