Pheobe Bishop: Allegedly murdered teen’s family shut down fundraiser

Headshot of Peta Rasdien
Peta Rasdien
The Nightly
Shock development as a third person charged in the murder of the QLD teenager.

Pheobe Bishop’s family is set to shut down a fundraiser set up to honour the allegedly murdered teen.

Her mother, Kylie Johnson, confirmed the move on social media on Sunday night, saying all the funds would be donated to organisations that had helped her daughter, the Bundaberg SES and Y School Bundaberg, where Pheobe attended.

Established by Tracey Berends and approved by Pheobe’s family, the GoFundMe raised $8355 of its $17,000 target via 200 donations.

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Ms Johnson said the money would be donated privately but she promised to post photos of the transaction for transparency reasons.

She also revealed the family would no longer be speaking to the media during the trial of Pheobe’s alleged killers so as not to jeopardise the outcome.

Pheobe Bishop’s remains were found on June 6.
Pheobe Bishop’s remains were found on June 6. Credit: QPS/TheWest

Pheobe’s housemates James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were charged with her murder and interfering with a corpse on June 5, weeks after she was reported missing on May 15.

A third person, Kieren Daniel Mittelheuser, has been charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to murder and is also facing other charges of driving while disqualified, fraud and drug possession.

Police said it will be alleged that he used Pheobe’s mobile phone to interfere with their investigation.

The GoFundMe was established on June 7 — the day after Pheobe’s remains were found in the Good Night Scrub National Park.

It was established to “honour her memory in a way that reflects the compassion and light she brought into the lives of so many”, Ms Berends wrote.

“Pheobe had a gentle soul and a generous spirit—always caring for others and standing up for what was right. We want her legacy to live on and by paying it forward to the amazing volunteers and community.

“All funds raised will be donated to these carefully chosen community groups that work to support our Wide Bay community

“This is more than a fundraiser—this is a tribute to a beautiful life, and a call to action to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”

Pheobe's mother Kylie Johnson and sister  Kaylea Bishop at a memorial.
Pheobe's mother Kylie Johnson and sister Kaylea Bishop at a memorial. Credit: Paul Beutel/NCA NewsWire

Ms Johnson is using her profile to help shine a light on other people who have been reported missing.

On Sunday, she shared missing persons reports for Jack McLennan who was last seen at Fick’s Crossing in October 2024.

She also shared a report for Paul Stevenson missing from Bundaberg since 2012.

Pheobe’s family farewelled the “free-spritied teen” on June 30.

In a statement to the ABC, Ms Johnson said she was “devastated this is something we have had to navigate”.

“This is absolutely everybody’s worst nightmare, however, we promised to get Phee home and give her a send-off that Phee would approve of and that’s what will happen.”

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