The small town of Gin Gin, located approximately 50 km southwest of Bundaberg in Queensland, united in grief and solidarity on Sunday evening, June 8, 2025. Hundreds gathered at the Kolan Community Park from 4 p.m. to honor the memory of Pheobe Bishop, the 17-year-old whose disappearance earlier this month had devastated the region
Pheobe’s Disappearance & Investigation Timeline
- Last seen May 15: Pheobe was reported missing after failing to board a flight from Bundaberg to Brisbane. Her two housemates, James Wood (34) and Tanika Bromley (33), stated they had driven her to the airport but CCTV footage later confirmed she never entered the terminal
- May 16: A missing person alert was issued; Pheobe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, publicly appealed for information
- May 23–31: Police expanded their search to include Good Night Scrub National Park, guided by phone data and using divers and cadaver dogs
- June 5: Wood and Bromley were arrested—charged with Pheobe’s murder and tampering with her body
- June 6: Human remains were discovered in bushland near Good Night Scrub. DNA testing was underway to confirm if they were
- June 8: A second memorial vigil was held in Bundaberg’s Buss Park, following the Sunday gathering in Gin Gin
Candlelit Gathering in Gin Gin
Amid flickering candles, vibrant floral tributes, handwritten notes, and vivid butterfly motifs—chosen to reflect Pheobe’s “free-spirited” nature—the community came together. Many wore bright colors and butterfly pins as symbols of hope, transformation, and remembrance
Hundreds stood under the early winter sky, joined by emergency services personnel, local officials, and residents, all united in shared sorrow .
Heartfelt Messages from Family
Kylie Johnson, Mother
Emotional and composed, she called her daughter “my gypsy warrior, Phee” and described her as “200 percent invested in the people she loved”
In a powerful plea, she urged kindness for the families of the accused, highlighting Pheobe’s capacity for compassion even towards those connected to her alleged killers:
“They meant the world to Pheobe as a family as well… There is to be no retaliation. There is to be no anger or hate towards that family.”
She also voiced the depth of her grief:
“I didn’t think my heart could break anymore… but this! This is ripping me apart.”
Kaylea Bishop, Sister
Kaylea, fighting back tears, recalled that although her sister’s seventeen years were tragically brief, they had “never been enough.” Her words painted Pheobe as a determined young woman who saw the best in others:
“She was a cut‑throat person, but she saw the good in everyone… loyal to the core to everybody she loved.”
Friend & Boyfriend’s Family
A family member of Pheobe’s boyfriend read a heartfelt tribute:
“You were a spark, bright, bold and unafraid… Your absence echoes louder than words can say.”
Words of Community Support
Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn spoke of the healing power of unity:
“In the midst of this sorrow, something beautiful has happened—we’ve come together.”
Salvation Army Major Chris Millard advised the crowd to remember Pheobe’s spirit, one moment at a time:
“There are times in life when things are clearly not OK… All we can do is hang on, take one moment at a time.”
What Comes Next
- Police Investigation: Authorities continue forensic testing on the remains and are searching for Pheobe’s phone and luggage, believed to be missing since the day she vanished.
- Court Proceedings: Wood and Bromley remain in custody, with their next court appearance scheduled for August 11, 2025.
Community Healing
The vigil in Gin Gin and the subsequent one in Bundaberg offered the first steps toward closure for a grieving community. As Mayor Blackburn emphasized, remembering Pheobe means celebrating how she lived—an adventurous, loyal, and loving teenager whose spirit touched many lives. Through candles, colors, and collective tears, Gin Gin honored her memory, forging the beginnings of a path toward healing.
