‘Can’t believe it’: Gin Gin left in mourning after Pheobe Bishop tragedy

As teddies and flowers fill the street, Gin Gin locals have spoken about the terrible toll on their town where Pheobe was tragically not the first missing teen girl to meet a devastating end.

Gin Gin is in mourning after the alleged murder of Pheobe Bishop. Picture facebook

A sign on the drive in reminds visitors this was once voted Queensland’s Friendliest Town.

But on Saturday, a day after the discovery of a body believed to be that of missing teen Pheobe Bishop, and with two of her housemates now facing murder charges, Gin Gin is a town in mourning.

“Missing” posters remain in windows and Pheobe’s name is on everyone’s lips.

The derelict house where she had lived with her alleged killers has been turned into a memorial.

Bouquets of flowers and teddy bears picked out just for her rest on the lawn outside the house, which is across the road from a community kindergarten.

Sitting at a table in a Gin Gin park, locals Paul Barlow and Sean Sydney said the town was in shock.

Pheobe used to sit at this very table and worked at a nearby business, Mr Barlow explained.

Paul Barlow and Sean Sydney talking about the Pheobe Bishop tragedy.

His friend felt there had been a shadow hanging over the town since Pheobe vanished and for three weeks everyone collectively held their breath, hoping for the best outcome.

“There’s no secrets in a small town,” Mr Sydney said.

“Half of these tradies have got teenage children and of course they’d be (thinking about their own kids).”

One woman, who asked not to be named, said her children knew Pheobe and had attended the same high school.

“It’s very sad for the family,” she said.

The memorial grows for 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop.

“I can’t believe it really.”

Another man, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the tragedy had impacted everyone who lived there.

“At 17 you’re meant to be starting your life, you’re not meant to have it ended,” he said.

“It’s the topic of conversation everywhere you go.”

One of the hundreds of posters plastered across Bundaberg and Gin Gin following the sinister disappearance of 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop.

HAUNTING HISTORY: EERIE SIMILARITIES IN TEEN DISAPPEARANCES

Two minutes away from the Pheobe memorial site is Gin Gin’s police station – a tiny brick building that speaks to the quiet nature of a town which would ordinarily seem far from the dangers of big cities.

But it’s not the first-time long-time locals have lived through the loss of a teenage girl in hauntingly similar circumstances.

In 1998, Rebecca Richardson went missing.

Rebecca Richardson went missing in Gin Gin in 1998.

Just like Pheobe, she was booked on a flight she would never catch.

The 15-year-old’s father had recently died, leaving her and her younger sister in the care of friends, including a man who would later be jailed for his role in her death.

Rebecca was to fly to England the day after she went missing to be with family, but friends became worried when she failed to show up to a party.

A marathon search followed but she never came home.

Jodie Martin Stephen Van Der Vegt pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact and was sentenced to eight years’ in jail on September 23, 2002 – the year before Gin Gin was awarded the Friendliest title.

The sentencing judge recommended that he be considered for post-prison community-based release after two years and eight months.

The Attorney-General at the time, Paul De Jersey, appealed the early release on the grounds it was manifestly inadequate.

The Chief Justice granted the appeal, with parole to be considered after serving four years.

Rebecca’s body, long rumoured to have been dumped at the rubbish tip, has never been found.

No one has ever been charged with her murder.

MEMORIAL FUND SET UP AHEAD OF VIGIL

As plans continue for a candlelight vigil for Pheobe on Sunday at the Kolan Community Park an official GoFundMe has also been set up.

Family friend Tracey Berends started the fundraiser to honour the teenager’s memory “in a way that reflects the compassion and light she brought into the lives of so many”.

According to the GoFundMe page, the money raised will go towards “carefully chosen community groups” like the SES, and the YSchool in Bundaberg.

“Pheobe had a gentle soul and a generous spirit — always caring for others and standing up for what was right,” the GoFundMe read.

A vigil will be held on Sunday in honour of Pheobe. Picture facebook

“We want her legacy to live on and by paying it forward to the amazing volunteers and community.”

Almost $1000 had been collected at the time of publishing.

Pheobe’s family has been heavily involved in planning the vigil, even picking out Pheobe’s favourite songs.

The vigil will be held on Musgrave St from 4pm, with hundreds expected to attend, including Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn.

Meanwhile, Pheobe’s housemates, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, are both charged with murder and two counts of interfering corpse.

The charges were briefly mentioned in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday and by the evening, police confirmed human remains had been discovered in their search of the Goodnight National Park.

The charges were briefly mentioned in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday and police on Saturday revealed more details about the human remains discovery.

More details here.

Originally published as ‘Can’t believe it’: Gin Gin left in mourning after Pheobe Bishop tragedy