‘The one thing Pheobe’s mum wants other parents to know’ as mayor speaks on horror three weeks

A powerful message from the mum of Pheobe Bishop can be revealed as the mayor of the community rocked by the teen’s alleged murder speaks candidly about one of the darkest chapters in its history.

Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn has spoken about the devastating impact of Pheobe’s death ahead of a Sunday night vigil.

After three weeks of heartbreak searching for her missing daughter who police now allege was murdered, Pheobe Bishop’s mum Kylie Johnson has one message for parents – download a tracking app.

The simple but powerful plea for parents not to shy away from tracking their teen’s locations via apps like Life360 was revealed by Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn who was given the message by the grieving mother.

It comes after the search for the missing Gin Gin teen culminated in the discovery of what was believed to be human remains on Friday.

This followed the arrest of her housemates, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, who were both charged with murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse on Thursday night.

Pheobe had been living with the two at a derelict home in Gin Gin since November.

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.

Memorials for Pheobe Bishop are growing across Gin Gin and Bundaberg.

Earlier, Ms Blackburn, who has led her community through one of the darkest chapters in its history – not only the disappearance of Pheobe but also the shocking loss of a three-year-old Sophia Rose who was stabbed to death by her mother at Moore Park Beach – has spoken to Ms Johnson multiple times.

“So, Kylie said if there was one message she could get out to parents of children, if they’ve got a mobile phone, if they could get this app (Life360) it allows parents to know where they are and that they’re kids are safe and that has been such assistance in this process.”

Reflecting on both the loss of Pheobe and little Sophia Rose, Ms Blackburn said the tragedies had “really rocked us all”.

Beloved teen Pheobe Bishop.

“I think as a community we’re all wondering what’s happened, what’s happened to our kind, considerate (community)– our community doesn’t feel like what it is normally, and I know that that’s how everyone’s feeling.

“But we are a kind community, and we are a community that will come together when times are tough.”

Ahead of Sunday’s candlelight vigil, Ms Blackburn said she had told Ms Johnson the community was with her and that they were all feeling “really upset at the news, and maybe a little hopeful that there might be a closure for her soon”.

She said the vigil that would be held at Gin Gin at the Kolan Community Park on Musgrave St from 4pm for Pheobe would be an opportunity for the community to come together and remember the teenager.

“I think that it’s a lovely idea to have a vigil for Pheobe because she was a beautiful young woman who had the rest of her life in front of her.”

Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn talks about the latest development in the case of Pheobe Bishop, whose housemates have been charged with murder.

She also said it was important for people to be there for each other and expected between 200 to 300 people to join her.

Although the family was not sure if they would attend, they had been very involved, she said, even picking out some of Pheobe’s favourite songs to play to honour her memory.

“I expect that the community will come out and there will be a lot of people there,” she said.

A vigil will be held in Gin Gin on Sunday evening for Pheobe Bishop.

“I certainly will be there, and I will be there to remember that there was a young girl called Pheobe Bishop and her life mattered and as a community we need to remember and honour her life.”

The mayor believed the tragedy had resonated with so many because everyone could see a loved one in Pheobe, as a daughter, sister, aunty, cousin and a friend.

Police at the scene at Milden Street, Gin Gin where missing girl Pheobe Bishop was living before her death. Pics Adam Head

“We do see some of our own lives within what’s happening with Pheobe and her family,” she said.

“I would just say to our community just stay kind to one another, stay compassionate, don’t let this get you too down and if it does seek some help because it’s okay to feel sad.”

After police revealed there had been about 200 leads and tips in the investigation into Pheobe’s disappearance, Ms Blackburn said she was impressed by the support the community had shown law enforcement.

“That’s what we asked for, at the very beginning what we were asking for every day is if people know something then they needed to speak up and that needs to be even the slightest, smallest piece of information.

“Thank you to those people in the community who did speak up.”

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

CALL FOR ‘KINDNESS, NOT NASTINESS’ AFTER MUM TARGETED

The mayor said Ms Johnson was doing “pretty well” considering the pressure she had been under since Pheobe disappeared, but she hoped some would be more understanding.

“I know she’s felt quite targeted by members of the community, which I’m very sorry for … because as a mum it was her job to every single day come out advocate for people to not forget and to try to help and she all she did was that.

“And while there were people out there judging her for her daughter not living there or for the circumstances, Kylie’s job was to advocate for her daughter, and she was doing the best job she could, and I applaud her for that.

“Any mother would have done the same thing.

Pheobe Bishop's mother Kylie Johnson made a heartfelt plea for information earlier this week. Picture: Queensland Police

“So, for anybody that’s out there, just don’t be quick to judge, don’t be harsh to people, it’s kindness that we now need, it’s not nastiness.

“What matters is that human life has been lost and the community needs to heal from that.”

Ms Blackburn said Kylie was gathering her children together on Friday night so they could look at what they wanted included in the vigil.

“It’s great for her to have her family around her to help her to heal as well.”

Originally published as ‘The one thing Pheobe’s mum wants other parents to know’ as mayor speaks on horror three weeks