Man in custody over missing Qld teenager
A man is in custody over the disappearance of a teenage girl who has not been seen since missing a flight three weeks ago.
Queensland Police said James Wood was assisting with inquiries as the investigation into the disappearance of Pheobe Bishop continued.
The 17-year-old was last seen near Bundaberg airport in southern Queensland about 8.30am on May 15 after booking a trip to Western Australia to see her boyfriend.
CCTV footage indicated Pheobe never arrived at the airport terminal, police have said.
Two crime scenes were declared as police searched the area, switching their focus to Gin Gin near Bundaberg after combing a nearby national park.
Weeks after her disappearance, police said on Wednesday that the investigation was ongoing but searches had been scaled back.
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“There are currently no physical searches for Pheobe at this stage,” a Queensland Police statement said.
“However, physical searches will happen as needed and as information is provided.
“Investigations are ongoing and police are continuing to run out several lines of enquiry.”
Soon after, a second statement confirmed Wood, one of two housemates of the teen, was in custody. No charges have been laid.
Wood was earlier issued a notice to appear at Bundaberg Magistrates Court on June 13 over weapons offences unrelated to Pheobe’s disappearance.
The girl’s other housemate, Tanika Kristan Bromley, faces similar charges and was granted bail to reappear in court on June 23.
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Pheobe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, has pleaded for information since her daughter’s disappearance, documenting her family’s heartache on social media.
In her latest post, Johnson wondered if her life would ever be the same again.
“Starting day 20 with you still missing Pheobe,” she posted on Facebook on Wednesday.
“I don’t know if life will ever be the same again? I don’t know if I will ever look at the world the same way that I did before May 15th.
“What I do know is that people have information on where you are Phee and we need that reported to police.”
About a week after the teenager’s disappearance, the search focused on Good Night Scrub National Park, an hour’s drive from the airport, with homicide detectives and police divers called in.
Some items believed to be linked to the investigation were seized for examination.
The search also revealed evidence might have been moved from the national park before police arrived.
The search then focused on Gin Gin, where the 17-year-old lived with two others at a property.
The property and a grey Hyundai ix35, thought to have been used to take the teen to the airport, were declared crime scenes.
Anyone with information, footage or sightings of the grey Hyundai between May 15-18 in the Gin Gin area is urged to contact police.
Pheobe is about 180 centimetres tall with a pale complexion, long hair that has been dyed red and hazel eyes.
She was last seen carrying luggage, wearing a green tank top and grey sweatpants.
