Heartbreaking scenes as hundreds gather at vigil for Pheobe Bishop after police discover human remains

Hundreds have gathered in colourful clothing at a candlelight vigil to honour the life of teenager Pheobe Bishop, after the discovery of human remains.

Hundreds of community members have rallied to the Kolan Community Park in Gin Gin to honour teenager Pheobe Bishop, after police revealed they had uncovered human remains.
Butterfly balloons swayed in the breeze as the Gin Gin community, dressed in bright colours, laid flowers, lit candles and shared a minute silence in Pheobe’s honour.

Pheobe’s sister Kaylea attended the teen’s vigil in Gin Gin. Picture: NewsWire / Paul Beutel

Family members, friends and loved ones gathered around and shared their memories of the 17-year-old, playing her favourite music, reading poems and prayers as the sun set in the background.

Attendees included Pheoebe’s family memebrs, including sister Kaylea and mum Kylie Johnson, who said her daughter had a “gypsy soul and warrior spirit”, and was “two hundred per cent invested in the people she loved”.
“That is what we need to hang onto and remind ourselves of every day,” she said.

Kylie Johnson described Pheobe as a girl with a “gypsy soul” and a “warrior spirit”. Picture: NewsWire / Paul Beutel

Kaylea told the community the 17 years Pheobe lived were “never enough for our life”.
“But in the short 17 years that she was with us, god she gave us a run for our bloody money,” she said through tears.
“She was a cut-throat person, but she (saw) the good in everyone.

Some attendees wore justice for Pheobe shirts at the vigil. Picture: NewsWire / Paul Beutel

Kalyea was surrounded by loved as ones at the vigil. Picture: NewsWire / Paul Beutel

“If she had opinion about you, you were sure to find out about it, whether you liked it or not, but that’s just the way Phoebe was.

“But she was loyal to the core to everybody she loved, respected and valued in her life.”

A relative of Pheobe’s boyfriend, Levi, shared a message to the crowd, saying the teen’s “absence echoes louder than words can say”.

“You were a spark, bright, bold and unafraid, as her family has shared with us today, a soul who embraced life with open arms now in the stillness we hold on to the warmth of your spirit, the kindness in your eyes and the joy in your smile,” the message read. “Your impact endures with every whispered memory, with every tear shed and every heart that carries you forward, you live on.

“Rest now, dear Phoebe, in the peace you deserve and know that you are loved forever and always. Love from Levi.”

Hundreds gathered to pay respect to the slain teen. Picture: NewsWire / Paul Beutel

Pheobe’s loved ones, including her sister Kaylea, danced in the teen’s honour. Photo Paul Beutel

Bundaberg mayor Helen Blackburn said the community was mourning “someone whose presence meant so much”.

“In the midst of this sorrow, something beautiful has happened – we’ve come together,” she said.
Salvation Army major Chris Millard urged the community to “hang onto the memories of Pheobe” and take “one moment at a time”.
“There are times in life when things are clearly not OK – this is one of those times,” he said.
“There is nothing we can say or do to make things easier.

“All we can do is hang on, take one moment at a time.”

Pheobe Bishop, left, and her roommates, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33.

Queensland Police discovered the remains, believed to be the missing 17-year-old, about 2.30pm on Friday near the Good Night Scrub National Park.

Ms Bishop was last seen near Bundaberg airport on May 15, with her roommates James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, being charged over her death.

On Sunday, members of the community in Gin Gin, where the teen was residing, will gather from 4pm at the Kolan Community Park for a candlelight vigil.

Attendees have been encouraged to wear bright colours and “butterflies” in honour of the teen.

News of the event triggered an outpouring of support from an already shattered community.

“May the love and light of the community surround Pheobe’s family and friends during this difficult time,” one person said on Facebook.

Another added: “Words cannot describe the pain and suffering that your family would be feeling right now”.

It comes after police on Friday charged Ms Bishop’s roommates with one count each of murder over the teens death, as well as interfering with a corpse.

A candlelight vigil will be held for missing Queensland teen Pheobe Bishop.

Police will allege the pair moved the teen’s body more than once.

In a major breakthrough, police on Friday revealed they had discovered human remains after scouring “unforgiving” terrain.

Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said the remains had been tested and “identified as being human remains”.

“We have been in contact with Pheobe’s family and advised them of this development,” he said.

Police uncovered a body at Goodnight Scrub National Park near Bundaberg. Picture:, Supplied / QLD Police

“Understandably, this has caused great distress to them.”

Inspector Mansfield said technological analysis and on-ground mapping prompted officers to expand their search into a new area.

He confirmed the remains were located in bushland and had not been buried.

Ms Bishop’s phone and luggage have not yet been located and investigations are continuing.

Originally published as Heartbreaking scenes as hundreds gather at vigil for Pheobe Bishop after police discover human remains