Pheobe Bishop: Major breakthrough as Qld police arrest housemate James Wood in missing teenager case

A major breakthrough has been made in the case of missing 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop after police revealed they had arrested her housemate.

Investigators have confirmed 34-year-old James Wood has been taken into custody and is assisting with inquiries into Pheobe’s disappearance.

No charges have been laid but the arrest is a welcome moment for detectives and Pheobe’s family who are trying desperately to locate the teenager.

Pheobe hasn’t been seen since May 15 after failing to check in for her flight at Bundaberg Airport. She was on her way to visit her boyfriend in Western Australia when she vanished.

Earlier on Wednesday, police said they had scaled back the search for the missing girl.

The search at the Good Night Scrub National Park was suspended last week and further physical searches would only happen as needed, police said.

“Investigations are ongoing and police are continuing to run out several lines of enquiry,” a police statement read.

“In addition to investigative work, physical searches will continue as needed and as information is provided.”

The greater Gin Gin area remains the focus of the investigation.

Early on, police declared two crime scenes — the car in which Pheobe was believed to have been travelling to the airport, and the house where she had been living with Mr Wood and another housemate, Tanika Bromley.

Mr Wood and Ms Bromley told police they dropped her to the airport for her 8.30am flight but CCTV shows she never made it.

Police declared the teenager’s disappearance suspicious on May 21.

Cadaver dogs, water police, drones and State Emergency Service personnel combed through thick scrub for five days and items of interest were collected for forensic examination.

Mr Wood had been sleeping in his car and was being harassed by angry locals in the weeks after Pheoebe disappeared.

Last weekend Ms Bishop’s mother, Kylie Johnson, made a heartfelt plea for information about her daughter’s disappearance, calling on community members to come forward if they can assist police.

Reading a prepared statement, Ms Johnson at times spoke in past tense which may have revealed the gravity with which detectives are treating the situation.

“Hi I’m Kylie, I’m Pheobe’s mum and our lives have been changed for the worse after the sudden disappearance of our daughter who was last seen on on May 15th,” Ms Johnson said.

“This is a pain no person or family should have to experience.

“Pheobe was a beautiful, loving, kind person and every day not knowing where she has been is devastating for us.

“This is why we are appealing for any information that may help to bring Pheobe home to contact the police.

“Even the smallest bit of information may be all the police need to find Pheobe”

Ms Johnson went on to thank the police investigators who are working tirelessly to find the young woman.

She also thanked the community for their support and said “she still holds hope that Pheobe will come home”.