Chilling new development as last people to see Pheobe Bishop identified

The housemates to last see missing teenager Pheobe Bishop have been identified while there’s been a chilling new development in the police investigation.

The housemates to last see missing Gin Gin teenager Pheobe Bishop have been identified as locals Tanika Bromley and James Wood, while in a chilling new development police have expanded their search to two new areas.

The teen had been staying at a Gin Gin property with the pair before her disappearance.

Detectives investigating the suspicious disappearance of the teen on Wednesday said there was no proof she was ever dropped at Bundaberg Airport, seizing a car and setting up a crime scene at a property where she was staying.

Ms Bishop was due to fly from Bundaberg to Brisbane and then on to Western Australia to visit a friend on May 15, but failed to board the flight.

Police had been told she was last seen at Airport Dr with luggage, however investigators said they have no confirmed sightings of the teen at the airport. They have also not found her luggage.

James Wood.

Tanika Bromley.

Ms Bromley describes herself as an independent support worker who has lived in Gin Gin for 15 years.

She’s also a mother of two.

Mr Wood announced online that he was in a relationship with Ms Bromley in October last year.

Locals in the community have taken to social media to identify the two locals as the ones Pheobe had been staying with.

Police on Thursday said currently no one was in custody in relation to this investigation however investigators were continuing to speak to people who know Pheobe.

The Gin Gin property where the teenager had been living with the pair and a grey Hyundai ix35 — that was meant to drop her at the airport — have both been declared crime scenes.

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

Missing 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop.

The SUV, with Queensland registration 414EW3, which is owned by the couple, is undergoing forensic examination at a Bundaberg holding facility.

Detective Acting Inspector Ryan Thompson said on Thursday that information from the public was vital in piecing together Pheobe’s movements on May 15.

“You may have the small piece of information that leads us to finding Pheobe,” Detective Acting Inspector Thompson said.

“People don’t vanish – someone knows something and we’re urging anyone with information to contact police immediately.”

Police were confident Pheobe never made it to the airport despite being told it was the last place she was seen.

“We have received CCTV from the airport which indicated she did not enter the terminal,” Inspector Thompson said earlier.

“That’s why we are quite confident Pheobe didn’t make it to the airport.

The vehicle has been declared a crime scene. Picture: QLD Police

Forensics at a home in Gin Gin as the investigation into a missing teen continues. Pic: Lexa Smith

“We do hold concerns for her safety due to it being nearly a week since she was last sighted.”

Pheobe was living in the Milden St home in Gin Gin with Ms Bromley and Mr Wood.

Police said she had lived at the property “for a while”.

Police have spoken to both residents, who are co-operating with officers and have provided “detailed accounts”.

Inspector Thompson said determining the movements of the vehicle and the timeline of events was now a crucial part of the investigation.

“That’s forming part of our investigation of how she travelled from Gin Gin to Bundaberg, we are currently appealing for information on whereabouts Pheobe was last seen,” he said.

“Police are trying to narrow down the timeframe and the timeline of where this vehicle has gone.

“We are asking for information on Samuels Rd, and all that information that the public is providing will assist us with our inquiries.”

Asked whether Pheobe had been met with foul play, Inspector Thompson said police weren’t ruling out any scenario.

Police were now focusing on the Avoca and Branyan areas, relating to the movements of the vehicle.

On Wednesday, police tape covered the entrance to the Milden St property where the teen was staying as police continued forensic examinations at the crime scene.

The property had a large bus parked out the front of it along with a boat.

Bags of rubbish were seen outside the property.

Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn said the entire region had been deeply affected by the “distressing” situation, but had come together and held on to the hope that Pheobe would be returned safely.

Police are still on scene at Milden Street, Gin Gin where missing girl Pheobe Bishop was living before her disappearance. Picture: Adam Head

“The Bundaberg Region community has come together in strength and solidarity as we hold hope for the safe return of Pheobe Bishop,” Ms Blackburn said.

“Our streets and social media channels have been filled with posters appealing for information—no matter how small—about Pheobe’s movements on the morning of Thursday, May 15.

“This situation has deeply affected our entire region, particularly the Gin Gin community, where Pheobe had been living.

“We are thinking of her family and friends during this distressing time and remain hopeful that Pheobe will be found safe and well.

“I encourage anyone who may have seen or heard anything, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward and share that information with the police.”

Forensics at a home in Gin Gin as the investigation into a missing teen continues. Pic: Lexa Smith

Originally published as Chilling new development as last people to see Pheobe Bishop identified