Friend of murdered Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop shares heartbreaking post: ‘Sun will shine a little less’

Elisia Seeber
The Nightly
Queensland Police have released video footage of the moment Pheobe Bishop's housemate James Wood is arrested for her murder.

A friend of murdered Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop has shared a heartbreaking tribute to social media, with a vigil for the 17-year-old also being announced.

“Oh Pheobe, our community is broken beyond words,” Gin Gin local Tracey Berends wrote on Facebook, alongside a Queensland Police update.

“The sun will shine a little less today, but the night sky will shine a little brighter as it has a beautiful new star.”

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Pheobe was on her way to visit an old friend in Western Australia when she disappeared on May 15. She was meant to fly out from Bundaberg Airport to Brisbane and then onto Perth but never checked in for her flight and has not been seen or heard from since 8.30am that day.

Her disappearance — and the heart-wrenching pleas from her mother Kylie Johnson and other family members for her safe return — have captured attention across Australia.

After weeks of investigations and searches, police charged Pheobe’s Gin Gin housemates James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley with her alleged murder, with police alleging on Friday they believe the duo moved the missing teen’s body “more than once”.

Police reportedly found Pheobe’s body on Friday afternoon after a brief search in the Good Night Scrub National Park near Gin Gin. The remains found are yet to be formally identified, however officers are also in contact with Pheobe’s family.

A friend of murdered Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop has shared a heartfelt post to social media, after Pheobe’s mother announced a vigil for the 17-year-old despite her body not yet being found.
A friend of murdered Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop has shared a heartfelt post to social media, after Pheobe’s mother announced a vigil for the 17-year-old despite her body not yet being found. Credit: Facebook

Ms Berends post went on to call for justice for the teenager and to offer Pheobe’s mother support.

“Now it’s time to bring you home to your mumma and family! And then everyone will make sure justice is served,” she wrote.

“Kylie Johnson my heart breaks for you all and no words can ease what your all going through, but our community will be here for you every step of the way to lift you all when you need it the most.”

“RIP Sweet girl. It’s time to come home now Pheobe.”

Pheobe Bishop’s mother earlier shared her own heartbreaking social media post, confirming upcoming plans to honour her daughter’s life and start the healing process after her alleged murder.

“While we don’t have Phee home to put to rest just yet,” Ms Johnson said, “our community needs the healing process to start.”

The event will be held from 4pm to 6pm on Sunday, June 8, at the Kolan Community Park on Mulgrave St in Gin Gin.

People attending have been asked to wear bright colours and butterflies, as well as bring candles to the teen’s vigil.

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