Accused murderers moved Pheobe’s body ‘more than once’: police

Missing Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop was allegedly murdered by her two housemates, and her body was then moved more than once, detectives believe.

Police have been searching for the 17-year-old since May 15, after she failed to check in for a flight at the Bundaberg Airport, north of Brisbane.

She had been due to fly to Western Australia to visit her boyfriend.

Her housemates, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were arrested in the Bundaberg area on Thursday night, and charged with murder and interfering with a corpse.

Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield, speaking from the Bundaberg Police Station on Friday morning, said police would allege Pheobe’s body was moved more than once, with one of the locations being the Good Night Scrub National Park.

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

He would not elaborate on when, or how, her body was allegedly moved.

James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were arrested and charged with the murder of Queensland teenager Pheobe Bromley on Thursday night.Credit: Nine News

“Those are those facts that we’ll have to rely upon before the court, I just don’t want to jeopardise any of that court process and the integrity of our investigation,” he said.

When asked about whether police had located a weapon, Mansfield said police were not speculating on weapons at this point.

They believe Pheobe’s remains might be in the greater Gin Gin area west of Bundaberg, and once she was located, detectives expected to find more evidence.

Police on Friday released vision of the arrest.Credit: Queensland Police

Mansfield confirmed Pheobe had moved to the property in November with Wood and Bromley.

He said dead dogs were located at that property after her disappearance.

“I’m unaware of the exact number,” he said.

Mansfield could not elaborate on the level of friendship between Pheobe and the two accused.

“As you can appreciate, they’ve been under a level of scrutiny from the media and otherwise during this period, so they’re understandably, I wouldn’t say shocked, but they presented to us without any interference with our operations,” he said.

In recent weeks, crime scenes were declared at the home, and a grey Hyundai ix35.

“We will allege our evidence will outline the fact that three people arrived near to the airport and three people never exited that vehicle,” Mansfield said on Friday, adding that Pheobe’s luggage was yet to be found.

Search teams, including police divers, the SES, and the dog squad, had scoured bushland in Gin Gin to find Pheobe. However, the search was called off late last week.

The property where Pheobe Bishop was living in Gin Gin.Credit: Nine News Queensland

When asked about evidence found at Good Night Scrub, Mansfield said: “I can’t comment on the evidence that we located at that scene but suffice to say its evidence enough to say that we believe that our accused and Pheobe were there.”

Mansfield said police were drawn to the Gin Gin area through their investigation, which involved telephone data.

“Suffice to say our investigation has led us to that area through telephone data and the like.”

Following the arrest, Mansfield said detectives were not finished, and additional staff were searching for Pheobe’s remains.

Pheobe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, begged anyone with information to come forward.

“Our world has just been shattered into the most horrific place I’ve ever been,” she wrote online.

“I need my baby home to put her to rest! 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.”

Outside the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday, Pheobe’s sister told media: “I don’t know what to say. If you have any information about Pheobe, or the car, or anything like that, just come forward.

“Three weeks is too long for us as a family, and all her friends. We just want her home. She was loved, she is missed dearly.”

Johnson later shared the video online, writing: “Kaylea your strength, determination and dedication to bring Phee Phee home is such a reflection of your fierce love for your sister.”

“Pheobe would be so proud of the way you handled yourself today just as we are. We WILL bring Phee home I don’t care how long it takes but we will get her home.”

Police were being inundated with more than 200 tip-offs regarding Pheobe’s disappearance, and continued to urge people with information to come forward.

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