Pheobe Bishop, 17, Found Dead After Weeks of Search

What was supposed to be the start of a new chapter for the 17-year-old has ended in unimaginable tragedy, leaving her family and community reeling in unquantifiable grief.

Queensland Police have confirmed that human remains discovered on June 6, 2025, belong to Pheobe Johnson, bringing a tragic end to a search that spanned three weeks and broke hearts across Australia.

Her remains were found in a dense bushland near Good Night Scrub National Park, north of Brisbane. The area is an hour's drive from Bundaberg Airport, where Pheobe was last seen alive.

The teenager, who had been living in Gin Gin, disappeared on May 15 while en route to catch a flight to visit her boyfriend, Levi, in Western Australia. She never made it.

Following the discovery, police arrested 34-year-old James Wood and 33-year-old Tanika Bromley, charging them with one count of murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse.

James and Tanika, who were Pheobe's housemates, were remanded in custody after appearing in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Police allege Pheobe was driven to the airport by the accused in a grey Hyundai IX35, but no one exited the vehicle. She is believed to have been murdered that morning, with her body later moved twice before eventually being left in the remote national park.

Detectives say the area had been previously searched, but that evidence may have been relocated before officers arrived.

Authorities are now appealing to the public for any information about the vehicle's movements between May 15 and 18 in the greater Gin Gin area:

"Investigations into locating more items of interest about this matter remain ongoing."

The statement continues, "Officers continue 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."

Investigators are still combing through forensics from the home the trio shared and say Pheobe's luggage remains missing.

Telecommunications data reportedly led police to the grim discovery site. Forensic evidence, including clothing and hair samples, is helping confirm the identity and timeline.

Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield confirmed that Pheobe's remains were not buried and had been exposed to the elements for weeks in a region known for feral animals, "The national park is vast and unforgiving terrain."

As police continue searching for missing items and await forensic test results, loved ones are left devastated.

The teen's disappearance sent shockwaves across the community, especially for her long-distance boyfriend Levi, who was waiting for her at Perth Airport on May 15.

According to Levi's father, Rick, the 18-year-old had planned a beach camping trip in Esperance, even buying Pheobe a $1,000 camera to support her budding interest in photography.

Rick revealed that on the day of the incident, his son kept checking arriving flights, hoping she'd appear, until it became clear that something was wrong.

Levi's father further revealed that the young couple had been deeply in love, video chatting nightly and planning their reunion for weeks. "They would fall asleep on video chat, then laugh the next day about who was sleep-talking," Rick said.

He added that Levi is "traumatized" and still reeling from the loss, which came just four years after he lost his mother in a car crash in Bundaberg.

Pheobe's death marks the second devastating tragedy for Levi's family, who had relocated to Western Australia to heal from their past loss.

As Pheobe's family continues to grieve her devastating loss, they're now facing a wave of online abuse and finger-pointing that they say has gone too far.

Pheobe's cousin, Whitney Woodfield, has issued a heartfelt plea on behalf of the family, calling for an end to the "cruel" attacks and baseless conspiracy theories circulating online.

The Mayor of Bundaberg Region, Helen Blackburn, announced on her social media that a candlelight vigil will be held for Pheobe at the Kolan Community Park, Mulgrave Street, Gin Gin.

At the candlelight vigil, Whitney spoke to the media and made it clear that the family was exhausted and broken. She added that the deceased wouldn't want anyone blaming her mum (Kylie), her sister, or the rest of the family for the unfortunate incident.

Kylie echoed that sentiment, saying, "Phee would be livid with this. We as a family know who we are. Whitney, Phee would be so proud of you for being so steadfast, loving, and strong through this."

Despite her grief, Kylie took the stage at the vigil to ask the community for peace, not just for their family, but for the family of the accused.

In a powerful show of grace, Kylie urged people not to respond with anger or hate. "Pheobe's compassion would have reached that depth. It is imperative to us that her legacy is not one of blame and bitterness," she said.

Meanwhile, on day 4 of the three-week search for Pheobe, her mom, Kylie, posted emotional messages on her Facebook page about her missing daughter and the unimaginable grief the family is facing. She also thanked the community and the people who helped share Pheobe's photos and fliers.

In a post on Facebook, the mom expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of community support following her daughter's tragic death. She also urged others to give back via a GoFundMe donation to the groups that helped search for her and shaped her life.

The GoFundMe initiative aims to support both the SES and The Y School, honoring the roles they played in Pheobe's journey, and helping to ensure they can continue to serve other young people and families in need.

As the investigation continues and grief settles in, one message from Pheobe's family remains crystal clear: let her legacy be one of love, not blame.