‘This is not our town’: Dead dogs, missing teen rattle Gin Gin locals

A resident describes seeing a lone dog walking “like a ghost” past the property which is now a crime scene. Everyone has a theory on what happened to Pheobe Bishop.

The derelict house in Gin Gin where missing teenager Pheobe Bishop last lived.

Two weeks on from the disappearance of 17-year-old teenager, Pheobe Bishop, residents in the tight knit community of Gin Gin say they are desperate for a breakthrough in the investigation.

Mrs Richardson, works a 60 second drive from Pheobe’s home on Milden Street, at Hot Bread Fred bakery.

She said a sense of normalcy wouldn’t return until the “town has answers”.

“She’s one of our own,” she said.

In 2003, the regional town was awarded the title of Queensland’s friendliest town, a title residents are proud of.

Mrs Richardson said: “It feels strange … this is not our town”.

“It’s like chalk and cheese.

“You see the signs but then you remember what happened, and what is still happening.”

The regional town is home to fewer than 1200 people.

Ms Richardson said it was baffling it could happen in a place like Gin Gin.

“All the locals have theories.

“They just express they can’t believe it.

“It’s right there off the main drive.”

Another resident, who preferred not to be named, said beyond the police presence he noticed the influx of cars driving around the backstreets of the usually sleepy town.

He lives on a quiet street, usually far from the bustle of activity in the centre of town, and said he has never seen anything like it.

Initial reports from police indicate up to a dozen dead dogs were found at the Milden St home.

Residents living nearby said the dogs were often allowed to wander the streets.

Exposed: How police note caught out Pheobe’s housemate

Footage taken on Sunday reveals one of the dogs, believed to have lived at the derelict property, walking by the home.

One resident said it was “like seeing a ghost”.

“That dog in itself, right now, would be totally confused at what’s going on,” he said.

The comments come as Pheobe’s desperate messages to her aunt were revealed, as well as the heartbreak of her boyfriend who waited for her for hours at the airport.

On the morning of May 15, she was meant to fly to Western Australia, via Brisbane, but has not been seen or heard from since.

Meanwhile, police continue their search for the 17-year-old Gin Gin teenager.

And the town of Gin Gin waits for answers.

Community in mourning, father speaks

Originally published as ‘This is not our town’: Dead dogs, missing teen rattle Gin Gin locals