Published: 6 days ago
Updated: 5 days ago
3 min read

Housemates charged with murder over disappearance of Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop

The teen’s housemates have been charged with murder and interfering with a corpse.
Missing teenager Pheobe Bishop never arrived at Bundaberg airport for a flight she had booked. (HANDOUT/QUEENSLAND POLICE)

Housemates charged with murder over disappearance of Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop

The teen’s housemates have been charged with murder and interfering with a corpse.

The body of missing teenager Pheobe Bishop was moved multiple times, police said after her housemates were charged with her murder.

James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were arrested on Thursday night in the Bundaberg area and each charged with one count of murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse.

Bishop, 17, has not been seen or heard from since May 15 when she had reportedly been dropped off at the airport by Wood and Bromley.

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She was planning to fly to Perth in Western Australia to spend time with her boyfriend but failed to check in.

There were no sightings of her at Bundaberg Airport.

Queensland Police are satisfied with the evidence that has been secured, Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said.

“We believe Pheobe was murdered, and her body was moved,” he said.

“We will allege that Pheobe was moved more than once.”

Bishop’s body is alleged to have been moved at least once from the Good Night Scrub National Park, Mansfield said.

Police previously searched a dense patch of bushland in the Good Night Scrub area.

Cadaver dogs were deployed and forensics teams in blue dust suits were seen bagging items of interest during the search.

The search was suspended a week ago, but other searches may continue in the greater Gin Gin area, Mansfield said.

Police have searched several areas, including the Gin Gin home Bishop shared with Wood and Bromley.
Police have searched several areas, including the Gin Gin home Bishop shared with Wood and Bromley. Credit: 7NEWS

“(We) had been led to the Good Night Scrub through telephone data,” he said.

“We’ll continue to look for Pheobe.”

Police have searched several other areas, including the Gin Gin home Bishop shared with Wood and Bromley, and a vehicle the pair were said to have used to drop her off at the airport.

They are yet to find any remains.

Police confirmed there were a number of deceased dogs found inside the home.

A 4WD belonging to Wood was seized by police on Thursday night after the arrests.

“Detectives continue to investigate this matter, and physical searches will continue as needed as information is provided,” Queensland Police said on Thursday night.

Wood and Bromley appeared briefly in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday morning.

Their matters have been adjourned until August 11.

Two housemates of missing teenager Pheobe Bishop, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, have been charged with her murder.
Two housemates of missing teenager Pheobe Bishop, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, have been charged with her murder. Credit: Seven
Pheobe Bishop’s sister, Kaylea Bishop, spoke to media outside Bundaberg court on Friday.
Pheobe Bishop’s sister, Kaylea Bishop, spoke to media outside Bundaberg court on Friday. Credit: 7NEWS

Missing teen’s family speaks out after charges laid

Speaking about the missing teen’s remains outside court, Pheobe’s sister Kaylea Bishop said the family “just want her home”.

“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, as a family, and for all her friends,” she said outside the court on Friday.

“She was loved and she is missed dearly.”

Police had previously taken Wood into custody in relation to the missing teen, however, they confirmed he had been released without charge on Thursday morning.

Wood and Bromley were again taken into custody and charged with murder on Thursday night.

The pair had also been charged previously over unrelated alleged weapons offences.

Pheobe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, said the family had learned of the charges shortly before they were made public.

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

“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.”

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