The mother of missing Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop has shared an emotional message to her daughter, who has now been missing for over a week, as police widen their search area.
Pheobe Bishop, aged just 17, was last seen on May 15, when she was driven to Bundaberg Airport, reportedly by her housemates from a Gin Gin property.
She was supposed to board a flight to Brisbane and then onto Perth to see her boyfriend. However, she did not check in was not on the 8.30am flight, police say, and she has not been seen since.
It is believed that James Wood and Tanika Bromley, who Pheobe was living with, had driven her to the airport.
The Gin Gin property near Bundaberg had earlier been declared a crime scene, along with the vehicle understood to have been used to take Pheobe to the airport.
Police on Friday expanded their search about 40km south of Gin Gin, looking at the Good Night Scrub National Park.
Pheobe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, took to Facebook on Friday to describe the unbearable emotions she feels each passing day, without any answers.
‘As each day goes by, it gets harder to breathe. I feel numb, not knowing where you are or if you’re okay,’ she said.
Pheobe Bishop (left) and mother Kylie Johnson (right). Pheobe has been missing for over a week
Police on Friday evening scoured Good Night Scrub National Park 40km south of Gin Gin. Police divers and the homicide squad have been called in
Waterways and other nearby areas are being searched for any sign of the missing teenager
‘We would do anything just to hear your voice, to have you curl up in my lap and hold you tight,’ she said.
‘I have no words to describe what this is doing to our family, our friends, and our community.’
Ms Johnson also made an emotional plea for the public to cherish their loved ones.
‘What we need right now from everyone is to hold your loved ones tight and tell them you love them.’
She made no comment on Pheobe’s living situation, she had earlier written on social media she was wary that she might ‘jeopardise the current police investigations’.
Police have now expanded their search to find the teenager, into rural areas west of Gin Gin.
Detective Acting Inspector Ryan Thompson confirmed that officers are focusing on various locations for any signs that could lead to Pheobe’s whereabouts.
‘We are searching for any evidence or information that could help us find Pheobe,’ Detective Thompson said.
It was not known why Pheobe Bishop (pictured) was staying with Mr Wood and Ms Bromley
The home of James Wood (left) and Tamika Bromley (right) was searched on Thursday
Ms Johnson implored anyone with information to speak up.
‘If anyone was near the airport around the time she disappeared, please come forward. Every little piece of information matters.’
On Friday, police divers also began searching waterways in the Bundaberg region, though no belongings or personal items of Pheobe have been found as of yet.
Police were also at the home Mr Wood and Ms Bromley shared with Pheobe on Friday.
Four police cars guarded the house as two forensic investigators combed the house, appearing to collect evidence from the front porch.
James Wood, has taken to social media promising to give his boat to anyone who can lead police to the teen.
Ms Bromley’s 2011 silver Hyundai ix35 hatchback, registration 414-EW3, has been seized by police.
On Thursday, Daily Mail Australia revealed that Ms Bromley is facing unrelated charges for possessing a sawn-off shotgun and a flick knife in public.
Though it’s unclear why Pheobe was living at the Gin Gin house, final posts she made to social media before she disappeared suggested the troubled teen had fallen out with her mother and would not return home.
Jack Woods has offered his boat as a reward to anyone who has information about the teen
Police expanded their search along Gayndah Road near the Good Night Scrub National Park
It is not known what brought police to that area about half an hour from the house where she was staying in Gin Gin
Police searched the Gin Gin home of Mr Woods and Ms Bromley on Thursday
The missing teenager has not been since May 15, as the search lasts more than a week
A friend of Pheobe’s who wished to remain anonymous earlier revealed the last messages they received from her, sent on Monday, May 12 before she went missing.
‘I’ve been better but I focus on the good s***,’ Pheobe said when asked how she was going.
‘I take of (sic) to WA in three days! Get out of this s*** home for a bit so that will be good, just packing atm (at the moment).’
Asked how long she was going for, Pheobe replied: ’10 days beautiful x’.
When a Daily Mail Australia reporter visited the Gin Gin house on Thursday, there was a pervading stench of decay emanating from the Milden St property.
Witnesses speculated it could be due to the dead dogs reportedly found at the home.
Early reports suggested police had discovered and removed four dead dogs from the scene, but one neighbour told Daily Mail Australia she believed as many as 13 of the animals had been found.
No one has been arrested over Pheobe Bishop’s disappearance
Why Pheobe Bishop (right) was staying at the Gin Gin property at the time is not known
As the search enters its eighth day, Inspector Thompson stressed that the case is far from closed.
‘Pheobe was a lovely young girl and a really relatable person to her family. We are doing everything we can to bring her home,’ he said.
‘We never give up hope,’ he added, reaffirming the police’s commitment to finding Pheobe safe and well.
A Queensland police spokesman confirmed on Friday that no one is currently in custody in relation to the investigation.
