Human remains found in Pheobe Bishop search, housemates charged with murder

Police have located human remains during a search for Gin Gin teen Pheobe Bishop.

Police have located human remains during a search for Gin Gin teen Pheobe Bishop.

The remains were found around the Good Night Scrub National Park area by specialist units at around 2.30pm.

The remains are yet to be identified however Ms Bishop’s family have been notified.

A crime scene has been declared at the location.

Pheobe Bishop’s mum, Kylie Johnson, made a post on Facebook shortly after 6pm on Friday, sharing her heartbreak in response to the discovery of human remains.

“I didn’t think my heart could break anymore then it did when you went missing, or when the charges where (sic) laid but this! This is ripping me apart,” she wrote.

It comes as detectives arrested the flatmates of the Gin Gin teen and charged them with her murder, alleging the pair moved her body more than once.

The shattered community is now preparing to hold a candlelight vigil for the teen whose disappearance cast a dark shadow over Gin Gin and the wider Bundaberg region for three weeks.

James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, appeared in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday charged with killing the teen, who had been living with them.

They have also been charged with two counts each of interfering with a corpse.

Pheobe, 17, was living with Bromley and Wood in a derelict Gin Gin house in the lead up to her disappearance in May.

On Friday, police released footage of Wood’s arrest at a location that appears to be a home in Bundaberg.

“Just listen to me,” an officer says in the video.

“Detective Sergeant with Bundaberg CPIU (Child Protection Investigation Unit).

“I’m placing you under arrest for the homicide of Pheobe Bishop.”

Pheobe Bishop and her housemates James Wood and Tanika Bromley.

Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said police would allege that Pheobe was murdered and her body was moved more than once, with one of the locations linked to Good Night Scrub National Park.

“We will allege that Pheobe was moved on more than one occasion,” he said.

When asked if the pair had co-operated or had given an indication of where Pheobe would be found, Insp Mansfield said Wood and Bromley had “engaged with lawyers”.

“Both of those accused have engaged with their lawyers and we are hoping to engage with them in the near future with that very prospect,” he said.

Mandy Louise Hart with her sign outside Bundaberg Court House where Tanika Bromley and James Wood have appeared charged for the murder of Pheobe Bishop. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Insp Mansfield said police would allege there was telephone data that led investigators to the national park.

He said the teen did not ever make it to the airport but did make it to Airport Dr.

Pheobe Bishops's sister crying outside of Bundaberg Court House after Tanika Bromley and James Wood appeared for the murder of Phoebe Bishop. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“We will allege that our evidence will outline that three people arrived near to the airport and three people never exited that vehicle,” Insp Mansfield said.

Insp Mansfield said investigators believed the teen would be found in the greater Gin Gin area.

Police and SES conduct a search in Good Night Scrub National Park looking for the missing 17 year old Pheobe Bishop. Picture: Adam Head

He said police would not comment about a motive.

“Our investigations have been complex and protracted over the past three weeks. Those investigations have afforded us evidence to put both of those individuals before the court,” he said.

The flatmate of missing teen Pheobe Bishop, James Wood, showcased his ute in a documentary.

The pair told police they dropped Pheobe at Bundaberg Airport on May 15, but officers said she never arrived and her luggage has not been found.

Police scoured through the Gin Gin home after her disappearance and a grey Hyundai ix35 which was used to drive Pheobe was seized by police for forensic examination.

The house in Gin Gin, near Bundaberg, where Pheobe Bishop was living before she disappeared. Picture: NewsWire

Insp Mansfield thanked the Bundaberg and Gin Gin community, with more than 200 investigation calls and tip-offs.

“While this part of our investigation has culminated in the arrests, we are not finished with this investigation, our primary focus has always been to locate Pheobe,” Insp Mansfield said.

“That will continue.”

Mandy Louise Hart with her sign outside Bundaberg Courthouse. Picture: Liam Kidston

Wood and Bromley were arrested between 6-7pm, he said, after the investigation by detectives from the child protection unit and homicide squad.

Bromley’s matter was briefly mentioned in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday morning.

Acting Magistrate Stephen Byrne, who appeared via video link from Rockhampton Magistrates Court, adjourned the matter to August 11 in Bundaberg Magistrates Court. The court heard Bromley was in the Bundaberg watch house. She was remanded in custody.

Wood’s matter was also briefly mentioned in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday and adjourned to August 11. He was also remanded in custody.

Speaking outside court, Pheobe’s sister, who declined to provide her name, said: “I don’t know what to say, if you’ve got any information about Pheobe or the car, just come forward.”

“Three weeks is too long for us as a family,” she said

“We just want her home … she was loved, she’s missed dearly.”

Tanika Bromley at the Gin Gin police station. Picture: Liam Kidston

Insp Mansfield said Pheobe’s family was devastated.

“One of our investigators is with Kylie, Pheobe’s mother, this morning. While we always hoped to find Pheobe alive, (as) our investigations have progressed (it) quite clearly showed us that was not going to be a viable outcome. “

Wood’s vehicle was last night seized by police.

Insp Mansfield said more than 100 police had worked on the investigation in the past three weeks.

He urged the community to keep contacting police with information.

Police searching the Good Night Scrub National Park. Picture: Adam Head

Wood was taken into custody on Wednesday night before he was released by detectives without charge.

He was arrested again on Thursday evening along with Bromley in the Bundaberg area.

On Thursday night Pheobe’s mother Kylie Johnson said “our world has just been shattered into the most horrific place I’ve ever been”.

“I need my baby home to put her to rest!” Ms Johnson wrote online.

“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.”

Pheobe Bishop’s mum Kylie Johnson.

Premier David Crisafulli praised police for their swift action in the investigation, describing the tragedy as ‘deeply troubling’ during a 4BC radio interview.

“When something like this happens in a tight-knit community it cuts deep, and there is no doubt that the community would be feeling it this morning,” he said.

The Premier thanked QPS for their excellent work on the case.

“I’ll let the courts do their job for everyone involved in that but I want to thank you (Queensland Police) for how quickly they mobilised.

“Let’s allow justice to take it’s course.

“But at the heart of it is a young girl who has had her life taken away from her, and that’s deeply deeply troubling.”

Pheobe Bishop

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL TO HONOUR PHEOBE

Meanwhile, a candlelight vigil is being organised in Pheobe’s honour for Sunday evening.

Bundaberg mayor Helen Blackburn confirmed on Friday the vigil would be held at the Kolan Community Park, 39 Mulgrave St next to the Gin Gin neighbourhood centre on June 8.

Pheobe’s family are choosing some of her favourite songs to be played at the service which will start at 4pm.

Floral tributes have also been laid outside the Gin Gin property where Pheobe was living before she was allegedly murdered.

Floral tributes outside of Phoebe Bishop’s share house in Gin Gin. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Floral tributes and note outside of Phoebe BishopÕs share house in Gin Gin. Picture: Liam Kidston.

A card attached to a bouquet of flowers read: “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.”

Originally published as Human remains found in Pheobe Bishop search, housemates charged with murder