Remains found in search for missing Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop

Police say they have found what is believed to be human remains in the search for missing Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop.   

Queensland Police said the discovery was made on Friday afternoon near Good Night Scrub National Park near Gin Gin. 

The 17-year-old has been missing since May 15.

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

“The brief search commenced after further enquires and investigations today, with the discovery being made by specialist units around 2:30pm,” police said in a statement.

“The remains are yet to be formally identified; however, investigators are in contact with the family of missing 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop.”

Earlier on Friday, Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said police expected to find her body in the greater Gin Gin area.

“We are suspecting we may locate Pheobe, but it is a broad, unforgiving area that we’re trying to narrow down,” he said.

A crime scene has been declared at the location and forensic examinations are continuing.

Police are continuing to appeal for any information in relation to Pheobe Bishop or the movement of a grey Hyundai IX35 between May 15 to 18 in the greater Gin Gin area.

Pheobe’s mother Kylie Johnson posted to social media after the discovery of the remains saying “this is ripping me apart”.

“I didn’t think my heart could break anymore then it did when you went missing, or when the charges were laid but this.

“This is ripping me apart…”

A candlelight vigil will be held in memory of Pheobe on Sunday afternoon, with the community encouraged to wear bright colours and butterflies.

“This vigil is a way of our family acknowledging Pheobe’s impact on our community, their efforts and the importance of a community that cares,” Ms Johnson said on social media earlier on Friday.

Alert raised when teen failed to board flight

Police will allege Pheobe was in a car with her housemates on the way to Bundaberg Airport on May 15, but the teenager never entered the terminal for her flight to Western Australia.

Police declared the teenager’s disappearance suspicious on May 21.

Two crime scenes were declared — the car she was believed to have been travelling to the airport in, and the house where she had been living in Gin Gin.

On May 23 police started searching Good Night Scrub National Park, an hour south-west of Bundaberg.

Cadaver dogs, water police, drones and State Emergency Service personnel combed through thick scrub for five days and items of interest were collected for forensic examination.

At the time police would not disclose information about items that were found and the search was suspended after five days.

The cases against Mr Wood and Ms Bromley were mentioned at Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday. 

Neither accused appeared. The matters have been adjourned until August 11.