It’s been ten painful days since 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop vanished, and the search is only growing more desperate.
Her heartbroken family has been holding onto hope, papering the town of Gin Gin with posters, praying for any sign of their “free-spirited soul gypsy.”
Pheobe was last seen on May 15, reportedly heading to Bundaberg Airport to catch a flight to Brisbane, then on to Perth to reunite with her boyfriend.
But she never made it on the plane—and she hasn’t been seen since.
Last Known Location: A Home in Gin Gin Shared with a Mysterious Couple
Before her disappearance, Pheobe had been staying at a home in Gin Gin with two people—Tanika Bromley and James Wood.
The circumstances of her living arrangement with the couple remain unclear.
It’s believed she had fallen out with her mother and wasn’t planning on returning home.
According to investigators, the pair reportedly drove Pheobe the 40 minutes to Bundaberg Airport early that morning.
She was supposed to board an 8:30 a.m. flight—but something went wrong.
Former Friend Breaks Silence on Why She Cut Ties with the Couple
Now, a woman who lives near the couple and once considered them friends has come forward with unsettling memories.
She told Daily Mail Australia that she’s known James Wood since they were kids.
He was homeschooled and once lived in a single-decker bus parked out front of his house—a bus that’s now a focal point in the investigation.
“I stopped talking to him because I was worried about how he was treating his dogs,” she said.
She also recalled a disturbing moment involving Tanika Bromley.
“One day we were in the car and she reached under the seat and pulled out a sawn-off shotgun,” the woman claimed.
“She laughed and said, ‘Don’t worry about it babe, it’s for self-protection.’ I didn’t talk to her much after that.”
Forensic Search Begins at the Couple’s Property and Bus
Police and forensic teams descended on the property last Friday, searching the bus—which has the words “Let it ride” painted on its side—and gathering potential evidence.
The couple has been questioned but not charged, and authorities have made it clear they are not accused of wrongdoing.
James Wood reportedly moved to Gin Gin from Emerald, about 500km away, just six months ago following a divorce.
Bromley, a local mother of two, is believed to have moved in with him earlier this year.
Focus Shifts to the Bush: Good Night Scrub National Park
The hunt for Pheobe has expanded far beyond the house.
On Saturday morning, the search resumed in the rugged Good Night Scrub National Park—about an hour from the airport—after an item of “potential interest” was found there Friday night.
Roughly 40 State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers trekked into the dense bush, some calling out cheerfully with “Heigh-Ho, off we go” as they began their difficult work.
Midge, a Gin Gin local and longtime SES member, told Daily Mail Australia just how daunting the task is. “It’s thick scrub.
We don’t know what we’re looking for—just anything out of place.”
Police Call for Help as They Search the River and More
Specialist police, homicide detectives, and even divers have joined the search.
A drone expert from Queensland Fire and Rescue has been brought in to scan the area from above, especially focusing on the nearby river.
Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information—especially anything spotted on May 15 in the Mingo Road and Gayndah Road areas.
One key focus is a silver 2011 Hyundai ix35 hatchback, registration 414-EW3, which Pheobe was believed to have been travelling in that morning.
The car, owned by Tanika Bromley, has now officially been declared a crime scene.
Emotional Scenes as Forensics Collect Evidence
Photographs from the scene show officers in white forensic coveralls sifting through dirt and collecting samples.
Containers of soil, sample jars filled with blue liquid, and brown paper evidence bags lined the area as officers worked meticulously.
Senior Constable Matthew Baker called the national park search “crucial” to the investigation.
Pheobe’s Family Shares Heart-Wrenching Tribute
On Saturday, Pheobe’s family released a powerful statement describing her as fiery, loyal, and full of love.
“I’ve always called her my ‘wild gypsy banshee’,” one relative shared.
“You can’t tame Phee’s spirit, empathy or fight for life.
She is sassy, feisty and loves harder than anyone I’ve ever met. She’s fiercely loyal to her siblings.”
Her mother, Kylie Johnson, is still putting up posters and calling on the community to help.
“Phee is still missing and our heartache and pain is raw and real,” she said.
“We as a family are trying to hang onto the light of life that is our free-spirited soul gypsy that is Phee Phee.”
Her voice cracked as she added, “Phee, we need you home.
We need to hear your sassy voice and feel your hugs.”
What Police Are Still Looking For
Authorities are continuing to investigate and stress that no one is currently in custody.
They need tips—no matter how small—to help piece together the timeline.
Anyone who saw movement in the Gin Gin and Bundaberg areas on May 15, especially around Good Night Scrub National Park or the roads nearby, is urged to contact police.