National park search for missing girl suspended

The search for a missing girl in a national park has been suspended as police investigate the 17-year-old’s “suspicious” disappearance almost two weeks ago.

Police combed Good Night Scrub National Park in southern Queensland for days in the search for Pheobe Bishop, finding some “items of interest”.

However, police on Wednesday confirmed the national park search had been suspended as they focused on the nearby Gin Gin area.

Pheobe was last seen near Bundaberg airport about 8.30am on May 15 after booking a trip to Western Australia, but CCTV footage indicated she never arrived at the terminal.

About a week after her disappearance, the search focused on the national park, an hour’s drive from the airport, with homicide detectives and police divers called in.

Some items believed to be linked to the investigation were seized for forensic examination.

The search also revealed that evidence might have been moved from the national park before officers arrived.

Pheobe Bishop, 17, pictured with her mother, Kylie Johnson.Credit: Facebook

The search around Gin Gin, near Bundaberg, where the teenager lived continues.

“Investigations are ongoing, and police are continuing to run out several lines of inquiry,” a police statement said on Wednesday.

“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.”

Police sniffer dogs were brought in to search for 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop on Sunday. The national park search has since been suspended. Credit: Nine News Queensland

Pheobe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, has been vocal on social media, pleading for anyone with information to contact police.

She also documented her family’s torment as they waited for answers, saying in her latest post she was finding it hard to find strength as the search continued.

“We as a family are just trying to go through the motions of waiting for Phee to come home,” she posted on Facebook on Tuesday.

The Gin Gin property, where Pheobe lived with two others, and a grey Hyundai ix35 thought to have been used to take the teenager to the airport were declared crime scenes.

A woman identified as Pheobe’s housemate, Tanika Kristan Bromley, has been charged with unrelated weapons offences.

Police allegedly found a shortened firearm, ammunition, and two replica handguns during a search of the Hyundai, as well as more ammunition in a Gin Gin home.

Bromley, 33, faced Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday and was granted bail to reappear on June 23.

Police said the weapons charges were unrelated to Pheobe’s disappearance, and there was no suggestion Bromley was involved.

Anyone with information, footage or who saw the grey Hyundai between May 15 and May 18 in the Gin Gin area have been urged to contact police.

The Gin Gin community has rallied around the missing teenager’s family with a “Leave the Lights On for Pheobe” campaign.

Locals in the Gin Gin area have posted photos on social media of their front lights switched on “to guide Pheobe home”.

Pheobe is about 180 centimetres tall, with a pale complexion, long hair that’s been dyed red, and hazel eyes.

She was last seen carrying luggage, wearing a green tank top and grey sweatpants.

AAP