Shock move as Pheobe’s housemate makes explosive public appearance

The female flatmate of Pheobe Bishop has appeared in public for the first time since the teenager went missing, and there was a stunning detail in her explosive cameo.

The flatmate of missing Queensland girl Pheobe Bishop has shown her face in public for the first time since the 17-year-old girl went missing.

Tanika Bromley was driven into the back of Gin Gin Police Station on Wednesday morning where she must report as part of her bail conditions three times a week.

She arrived in a grey ute and was driven into the back of the police station about 11.30am, trying to avoid the eyes of waiting media.

Typically, those reporting to stations on bail conditions enter through the front door.

Ms Bromley was dressed in a long-sleeved hooded shirt which covered her face, jeans and sunglasses.

A police officer helped escort the car out of the driveway as it left.

She was peppered with questions by journalists about Pheobe, but Ms Bromley looked out the passenger window, clasped her hands together, and remained silent.

Tanika Bromley leaving the Bundaberg police station.

Her appearance comes as police suspended searching a rugged and isolated section of Good Night Scrub National Park for the Gin Gin teenager after her flatmates told police they dropped her at Bundaberg ­Airport on May 15.

Officers say they have no evidence of Pheobe going to the airport and for days have searched Good Night Scrub National Park with forensic teams and cadaver dogs.

Investigations are ongoing and police are continuing to run out several lines of enquiry.

In addition to investigative work, physical searches will continue as needed and as information is provided.

The greater Gin Gin area remains the focus of the investigation.

Her flatmates – Ms Bromley and her partner James Wood – had their vehicle seized after saying they dropped her at the airport.

Police search Good Night Scrub National Park. Picture: Adam Head

Police allegedly found a shortened firearm, ammunition and two replica handguns during a search of a grey Hyundai ix35.

It was not suggested the ­flatmates or the firearms had any connection with Pheobe’s disappearance.

Ms Bromley, 33, has been charged with two counts of authority required to possess explosives and one count each of possessing/acquiring restricted items and unlawful possession of weapons. Mr Wood has not been charged with an offence

Magistrate John McInnes on Tuesday told Bundaberg Magistrates Court Ms Bromley did not appear as a flight risk.

Tanika Bromley leaves Bundaberg court. Picture: Phillip Fynes-Clinton

He said his concerns over whether to grant the Gin Gin mother bail related to potential interference by Mr Wood.

He granted bail after saying he determined any risk of ­interference would not be at her own doing.

The matter has been adjourned to June 23.

Outside court, Detective ­Inspector Ryan Thompson said the weapons found in the car had not been linked to the teen’s disappearance.

“That vehicle was seized by police, it was treated as a crime scene. A number of examinations were conducted on that vehicle and item seized and that has since been released by police,” he said.

“There’s no suggestion at all that this weapon was involved in this investigation …”

Police separately said they believed some evidence may have been moved from the ­national park area before ­officers began their search.

Insp Thompson said police were trying to work out what evidence had been moved from the search site after they received information.

He said several items had been seized from the ­national park area and were undergoing forensic examination but declined to detail what had been found.

Tanika Bromley’s partner and fellow housemate of Phoebe Bishop, James Wood

Police suspended the search in the national park on Tuesday and said investigations were ongoing.

Inspector Thompson said there were no signs of a struggle where the items were found, but police had expanded the search area as they ­appealed for footage of the Hyundai ix35 between May 15 and 18.

“There are other areas that are forming part of this investigation that we’re interested in as well, and that’s why we’re appealing for information in relation to the movements of that vehicle,” he said. The ­Hyundai emerged on the streets of Bundaberg with what appeared to be altered number plates on Monday after it was released by police.

Phoebe Bishop.

Insp Thompson said police were aware of the incident and were investigating.

Police have said Ms Bishop had lived with Ms Bromley and Mr Wood in their Milden St rental property for “a while” before her disappearance. That property has also been a crime scene.

Pheobe’s mother Kylie Johnson on Tuesday posted that she had seen “judgments, accusations and untruths” in relation to daughter.

“Finding it hard to get out of bed today,” Ms Johnson wrote online.

“To find the strength to put one foot in front of the other and know what to do, what to think or what to say.”

Originally published as Shock move as Pheobe’s housemate makes explosive public appearance