It’s been over a week since 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop vanished from Gin Gin, a quiet town near Bundaberg, and the community is still desperate for answers.
Pheobe was last seen leaving the home of a couple she’d been living with, sparking a search that has gripped locals and authorities alike.
The Final Hours Before Pheobe’s Disappearance
Pheobe was last spotted on May 15, leaving the residence of Tanika Bromley and James Wood.
Police believe this couple drove her roughly 40 minutes to Bundaberg Airport, where she was scheduled to catch a morning flight to Brisbane and then onward to Perth.
Her plan was to meet her boyfriend there. But the reasons behind why Pheobe was living with this couple remain unclear.
Her last social media posts hinted at troubles at home, including a falling out with her mother, and a refusal to return.
A Former Friend Breaks Silence on Cutting Ties
A woman who once knew James Wood and had become friendly with Tanika Bromley recently shared why she distanced herself from the couple.
She revealed to Daily Mail Australia that her friendship with James ended because she was concerned about how he was treating his dogs.
She also recounted a chilling moment when Bromley allegedly pulled a sawn-off shotgun from under a car seat, laughing it off as a tool for “self-protection.”
After that incident, the woman said she stopped talking to Bromley too.
No Charges Yet But Questions Remain
Both Bromley and Wood have been questioned by police but released without any charges.
The woman who knew James noted that he was nothing like the quiet, shy boy she remembered from childhood.
He was home-schooled, lived in a run-down bus parked outside his house, and moved to Gin Gin about six months ago after his divorce.
Bromley is believed to be a local and a mother of two, with the couple having moved in together earlier this year.
Intensive Search Efforts in Bushland Areas
Police continue to search areas around Gin Gin and Bundaberg, focusing especially on the dense bushland of Good Night Scrub National Park.
Around 40 SES volunteers were spotted early Saturday morning heading into the thick scrub, accompanied by drone experts from Queensland Fire and Rescue scanning the river and surrounding areas.
Forensic teams have been sifting through soil samples and investigating an item of interest found recently, though it’s unclear if it’s connected to Pheobe.
Police Appeal to the Public for Any Clues
Senior Constable Matthew Baker emphasized how critical the ongoing search in Good Night Scrub is for the investigation.
Authorities are urging anyone who might have seen something unusual on May 15, particularly near Mingo Road and Gayndah Road, to come forward.
They are relying heavily on public tips — no detail is too small.
A Family’s Love and Heartache Amid the Search
Pheobe’s family released a heartfelt statement describing her as fiercely independent and full of life.
They called her their “wild gypsy banshee,” someone impossible to tame, with a sassy and loving spirit.
They expressed how deeply they miss her voice and hugs, holding onto hope that she will be found safe.
Community Volunteers Help Scour the Area
Among the volunteers combing the bush is Midge, a local SES worker who has been involved since 2011.
She told Daily Mail Australia that the search terrain is incredibly challenging — thick, dense scrub with no clear clues — but every effort is being made to find Pheobe.
A Town United in Hope and Pain
Meanwhile, Pheobe’s mother Kylie Johnson and other family members have plastered missing posters all over Gin Gin.
Kylie spoke of the raw pain and heartache her family feels but also their determination to keep hoping for her safe return.
“We need you home, Phee,” she said, “to hear your sassy voice and feel your hugs again.”