‘Unforgiving’: Police reveal more details about discovery of human remains in search for missing teen Pheobe Bishop
Police have provided a major update on Pheobe Bishop, after confirming human remains were found.
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Police have shed more light about human remains – believed to be those of missing teenager Phoebe Bishop – after scouring “unforgiving” terrain and piecing together digital forensics as part of their breakthrough.
The remains were found by police about 2.30pm near the Good Night Scrub National Park on Friday.
It marks a heartbreaking update in the search for Pheobe, 17, who disappeared on May 15.
Speaking at a media conference in Bundaberg on Saturday, Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said recent technological analysis and on-ground mapping prompted officers to expand their search into a new area about 9km from the original location.
He confirmed the remains were located in bushland and had not been buried.
“This particular area that has been searched at the moment is actually an extension of our original search area,” Inspector Mansfield said.
“It’s coupled with snippets of information and also telecommunications data. That’s allowed us to find this location independently.”
The terrain, described as “unforgiving,” slowed forensic examination efforts, but the discovery of a track resembling one previously found in the earlier search helped narrow the focus.
“We were effectively looking for tracks not too dissimilar to the first one in appearance, and then we happened upon a track that did look similar … so it was then that capability was deployed onto that and the remains were found,” Inspector Mansfield said.
“We will conduct our examinations with a view of trying to determine a cause of death, whether that’s able to be achieved is yet to be determined,” Inspector Mansfield said.
Pheobe, 17, was last seen alive on CCTV near the Bundaberg airport at a BMX track with her two flatmates, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, who were charged last week with her murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse.
Police allege the pair moved the teen’s body more than once after her death.
Inspector Mansfield said Pheobe’s phone and luggage had not yet been found and dismissed speculation that drugs were involved.
Asked if a particular tracking app used by Pheobe’s mother had aided the case, he said: “All that forensics has been run out on our digital capabilities, so again that falls part of our investigation.”
Inspector Mansfield also praised the tireless efforts of officers working on the case.
“They’ve been working really hard. There’s long hours. They’ve been putting their heart and soul into this … it’s given them a great deal of pride and they should be proud of their achievements,” he said.
Pheobe’s mother Kylie Johnson said the news of the discover was “ripping me apart” in a post on Facebook.
“I didn’t think my heart could break anymore then it did when you went missing, or when the charges where laid but this! This is ripping me apart…,” the post, with the police statement attached, said.
Police made the discovery about 2.30pm on Friday and established a crime scene at the location as they carry out forensic examinations.
Police are still appealing for any information in relation to Pheobe Bishop or the movement of a grey Hyundai IX35 between May 15 to 18 in the greater Gin Gin area,” a spokesman said.
Investigations continue.
Cousin Whitney Woodhill told A Current Affair in an interview before it was announced that remains had been found that the family had been bracing for the worst.
But she said “there was still that “glimmer of hope that maybe she was out there hiding”.
When asked how she would like Pheobe to be remembered, she said: “Like the beautiful soul she was – loyal, very fierce.”
Police release video of moment of arrest
Earlier, bodycam footage capturing the moment one of Pheobe Bishop’s alleged killers was taken into custody emerged, as police revealed new allegations surrounding the girl’s disappearance.
James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, are both charged with murder and interfering with a corpse in relation to Pheobe’s disappearance.
The 17-year-old had been living with the pair before she vanished on May 15.
Police now allege Pheobe’s body was moved “more than once”, with Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield on Friday saying it would be alleged Phoebe’s body was at one point in the Good Night Scrub National Park.
It will be alleged Pheobe, Mr Wood and Ms Bromley were all in the car when it arrived on Airport Drive near Bundaberg Airport on May 15.
“Our evidence will outline the fact that three people arrived near to the airport, and three people never exited that vehicle,” he said.
“There is a vehicle we believe Pheobe was transported in, but I will not disclose that at this point in time.”
The major update comes after bodycam footage capturing Mr Woods’ arrest was released by police.
A barefoot Mr Wood was led out of an unkempt residence, which appears to be a caravan, by a police officer at 7.20pm on Thursday in the Bundaberg area.
Another unidentified individual can be seen speaking to an officer in the background.
Once outside, a Detective Sergeant with Bundaberg Child Protection Investigation Unit can be heard asking Mr Wood to “just listen to me”, before placing him under arrest for “the homicide of Pheobe Bishop”.
At the end of the clip, Mr Wood sits alone in the back of an unmarked police car, before the door is closed.
Mr Wood was wearing grey tracksuit pants and a black graphic T-shirt with the word ‘menace’ written on it.
Ms Bromley and Mr Wood both had their matters mentioned before Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday morning.
They will return to court on August 11.
Floral tributes laid for Pheobe
Floral tributes to Pheobe have also emerged across Gin Gin and Bundaberg after her devastated family urged anyone with information to come forward.
Bouquets of flowers has been laid out in front of the Gin Gin property where Pheobe, Ms Bromley and Mr Wood lived together.
An accompanying message on one bouquet reads: “Pheobe, you grew your wings too early beautiful girl. Now you will no longer feel pain or heartache. You can spread your wings and know you will be loved.”
Police tape still covers part of the derelict house and rubbish is still strewn on the front lawn.
Another bouquet of flowers and a small teddy bear have also been placed outside Smiley’s Support Service, the workplace of Pheobe’s mother Kylie Johnson.
Outside, a message on a blackboard asks “Have you seen this car” pointing to a Queensland Police release asking for information about Pheobe’s disappearance.
In Bundaberg, another tribute has been set up near the Bundaberg Airport, with Pheobe’s sister Kaylea Bishop placing a number of cards, flowers and photographs close to a wall.
They are accompanied by a Pokemon plush toy and a sign reading: “Justice for Pheobe, RIP.”
A tearful Kaylea told reporters on Friday, “We just want her home.”
“She was loved, she’s missed dearly.”
Police press conference Friday morning
Inspector Mansfield said police “were not finished” with their investigation and their primary focus was now to locate Pheobe, with officers returning to previous locations of interest to continue the search.
“As you’re well aware we’ve searched particular areas to date. It is a vast area of unforgiving terrain that we’ve been looking into,” Inspector Mansfield said.
“While we always hoped to find Pheobe alive, as our investigation has progressed … quite clearly showed us that was not going to be a viable outcome.”
Police have also not yet located Pheobe’s luggage.
“We suspect it will be in the greater Gin Gin area,” Inspector Mansfield said.
Ms Bromley and Mr Wood are both charged with one count each of murder and two counts each of interfering with a corpse.
Inspector Mansfield revealed their investigation had been informed by telephone data, and more than 200 tip offs from members of the public.
Police once again called for assistance from the public for any further information, including footage from around Airport Dr.
Both of the accused were arrested in the Bundaberg area on Thursday just after 6pm and police said they have since engaged lawyers.
Police seized Mr Wood’s 4WD for forensic examination on Thursday evening.
“He’s been effectively living out of it from time to time,” Inspector Mansfield said.
Inspector Mansfield said there is a “body of work” to look at additional charges, but that their “primary focus was clearly (finding) Pheobe”.
It was confirmed Mr Wood and Ms Bromley were known to Pheobe’s family.
Inspector Mansfield also said dead dogs were located at the Gin Gin property where they lived.
He said that Pheobe’s family was “devastated”.
“Our of our investigators is with Kylie, Pheobe’s mother, this morning … tragic.”
Family’s grief
Pheobe’s mother shared her grief at news of the charges overnight, pleading online for information that would allow her to lay her child to rest.
Kylie Johnson said her world was “shattered” by the news and begged for her daughter’s remains to be located.
“Our world has just been shattered into the most horrific place I’ve ever been,” she wrote.
“I need my baby home to put her to rest! “I’m absolutely begging anyone that knows anything to come forward. WE need to put her to rest, we need to put her to peace.
“My heart is holding onto every little memory and hope that you come home to us Phee Phee.
“The little internal family jokes, the little digs at your siblings and the love that you all unconditionally shared.
“The fierceness of that was beyond beautiful and unique.”
Ms Johnson recalled how close Pheobe and her siblings were, and noted how special their “emotional connection” was.
“I remember someone commenting once that you were all so co-dependent that you finished each other sentences. This statement made me the happiest mum alive!” she wrote.
“Your sibling bond is deep, meaningful and makes my heart so happy.
“The emotional connection, love and friendship has always been unmatched and unquestioned.”
On Thursday, Queensland Police announced two people had been arrested and charged with one count each of murder and two counts each of interfering with a corpse.
The teenager’s remains are yet to be found.
“Pheobe has not been seen or heard from since May 15,” the police statement read.
“The remains of Pheobe Bishop have not been located to date.”
The two charged are set to appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday.
Mr Wood was initially arrested and taken into custody on Wednesday June 4, but was released that night without charge.
Pheobe was last seen by her housemates, who told police they were driving her to Bundaberg Airport from their home in Gin Gin in Ms Bromley’s grey Hyundai ix35 on May 15.
The teenager intended to fly from Bundaberg to Brisbane, then on to Perth to see her boyfriend.
She never boarded the flight.
Detectives have conducted several searches of the area, Good Night Scrub National Park, as well as forensic examinations of the Gin Gin property and the Hyundai ix35.
Originally published as ‘Unforgiving’: Police reveal more details about discovery of human remains in search for missing teen Pheobe Bishop
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