Pheobe Bishop, 17, missing from Bundaberg: Family speak out about final phone call
Pheobe Bishop was scheduled to fly from Bundaberg to Western Australia, via Brisbane, on Thursday, May 15, to visit a friend.
However, the teen did not check in or board her Bundaberg flight at 8.30am on Thursday, and there has been no sign of her since. Police have said her last sighting was on Airport Drive - near the airport - but she has not been seen in CCTV footage.
On Wednesday morning, Police said the investigation into her disappearance was now being treated as suspicious.
Two locations have been declared crime scenes: a property in Gin Gin, west of Bundaberg, where Pheobe was living prior to her disappearance, and a silver Hyundai ix35 hatchback with registration 414-EW3 - believed to be the car she travelled to Airport Drive in. Police have seized the car.
Family said Pheobe had saved her money and purchased the flight to visit her boyfriend in Western Australia.
'Where she was going she saved for herself. She loved them like her own family,' a family member said on social media.
'He was her high school sweetheart that moved away.'
Another relative said that Phoebe had spoken to her boyfriend on the phone just before she disappeared.
Pheobe Bishop disappeared without a trace after she failed to board a flight from Bundaberg to Western Australia, via Brisbane, on May 15
A grey Hyundai ix35 (pictured) believed to be the car Pheobe travelled to Airport Drive in has been declared a crime scene
'She didn't check in for her flight to visit her boyfriend who she spoke to on the phone at 8.30am,' they wrote on social media.
'Her phone has been switched off from this point. She hasn't contacted anyone at all, no one has seen her.'
Pheobe's bank accounts have been inactive since she went missing, while her bank account has had no activity since May 14.
Acting Police Inspector Ryan Thompson told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday that Pheobe was last seen at about 8.30am at Airport Drive in Bundaberg.
Insp Thompson said Pheobe was dropped off at the airport by 'associates' but never made it to the terminal.
Police are investigating what happened outside the terminal at the time of her disappearance.
Insp Thompson added Pheobe's disappearance was out of character and investigations would continue 'as long as it takes' to locate the missing girl.
'As time goes on, the more worried the family is and the more concerned police are becoming,' Insp Thompson said.
'We are keeping an open mind in relation to the investigation.
It's understood the 17-year-old had saved her own money and was flying to meet her boyfriend who had moved interstate
Pheobe was last seen at 8.30am at Airport Drive in Brundaberg. The teen was travelling with luggage and was wearing a green tank top and grey tracksuit pants
'We do have associates that are assisting police with our inquiries at the moment, and this is why we're trying to narrow down that timeline in relation to where Pheobe could be.'
Pheobe was travelling with luggage and was last seen wearing a green tank top and grey tracksuit pants.
A land search was conducted around Airport Drive and the surrounding areas on Monday but police failed to locate any of her personal belongings.
Pheobe's mum, Kylie Johnson, has put up more than 400 missing person posters across Bundaberg and surrounding areas.
Ms Johnson shared her distress on social media as the search for her daughter continued.
'As we enter another day with Pheobe still missing our heart's are breaking more and more,' Ms Johnson wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.
'Phee we just need to know that you're ok? We just need to hear your voice!
'I'm begging anyone that has anything to contact Police link 131 444.
Pheobe's mum, Kylie Johnson, has put up more than 400 missing person posters across the area and has shared emotional messages to social media every day since she disappeared
Ms Johnson shot down suggestions her daughter ran away and urged the public to continue sharing her missing persons flyer and contact police with any information
'We as a family are thankful for the message of support and offers of assistance. Right now we are grasping onto hope and just trying to breath.
'Again all anyone can do to help is: Keep sharing Pheobe's flyer, follow the QLD police for updates and requests for information, keep having conversations with your loved ones, community and colleagues and hold your babies close!
'We would currently do anything to be able to hold our baby tight right now.'
In another message shared on Facebook, the distraught mother shot down suggestions that her daughter had run away as it was at odds with her character.
'If you knew Pheobe you would know that she is free spirited and loves hard! She is loyal to the core and cut throat,' Ms Johnson wrote.
She said her daughter last week marked the anniversaries of the deaths of her best friend and family members.
'She would never leave her family without contact - especially this week. [She] would never not contact us at this emotional time.'
Ms Johnson also shared an emotional message directly to her daughter, begging her to let them know that she was okay.
'Honestly have no words to describe our heartbreak, heartache or fear that we won't see or hear from her again,' Ms Johnson wrote.
'Flea, Flea, my heart tells me that you won't see this, but I love you more than anything in the world.
'Would be homeless just to hear you say "Hey Mummzie what's doing"... I would honestly sell my soul to hear those words.'
Pheobe is described as approximately 180cm (six foot) tall with a pale complexion, long dyed red hair and hazel eyes.
Police are urgently appealing for anyone with dashcam footage of Airport Drive, Commercial Street and Samuels Road area between 8.30am and 9.30am on May 15 to come forward.
Anyone with information regarding Pheobe's whereabouts is urged to contact police link on 131 444.
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