Queensland police have confirmed the identity of human remains found near Goodnight Scrub National Park as those of 17-year-old Phoebe Bishop, weeks after the teenager vanished from Bundaberg in May 2025. Two of her housemates and a third person now face murder charges in connection with her death.
Bishop was last seen on the morning of May 15, carrying luggage and wearing a green tank top and grey sweatpants, when she was dropped off near Bundaberg Airport. She never entered the terminal for her planned flight to Brisbane and onward to Western Australia. The subsequent investigation, which involved multiple specialised units, led to the recovery of her remains and the charging of three individuals.
James Wood and Tanika Bromley, who shared a property with Bishop in Gin Gin, were remanded in custody following their June 5 court appearance. A third individual, Kieran Daniel Mittelheuser, faces separate charges relating to alleged interference with the investigation. Court proceedings are scheduled to continue in August 2025.
Key Facts About the Phoebe Bishop Case
Phoebe Bishop, 17, of Gin Gin, Queensland
May 15, 2025, Bundaberg, Queensland
Murder and interfering with a corpse
Remains confirmed; court proceedings ongoing
What Investigators Have Established
- Bishop was dropped off on Airport Drive at approximately 8:30am on May 15 by associates travelling in a grey Hyundai ix35
- She was carrying luggage but never entered Bundaberg Airport terminal
- Her housemates James Wood and Tanika Bromley have been charged with her murder
- Human remains were discovered near Goodnight Scrub National Park on June 6, 2025
- Forensic analysis confirmed the remains belonged to Bishop on June 17, 2025
- A third individual, Kieran Daniel Mittelheuser, has been charged with using Bishop’s phone to interfere with the investigation
Snapshot of Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 17 years old |
| Height | Approximately 180 cm (5’11”) |
| Appearance | Pale complexion, long dyed red hair, hazel eyes |
| Last Seen Location | Airport Drive, Bundaberg |
| Residence | Gin Gin, 51 km west of Bundaberg |
| Charges (Wood and Bromley) | Murder, two counts of interfering with a corpse |
| Charges (Mittelheuser) | Using victim’s phone to interfere with investigation |
| Next Court Date | August 11, 2025 |
The Investigation: From Missing Person to Murder Inquiry
The case transitioned rapidly from a missing persons investigation to a murder inquiry within weeks of Bishop’s disappearance. Queensland Police declared both the vehicle used on the morning of May 15 and the Gin Gin property shared by Bishop and her housemates as crime scenes on May 16, 2025.
Search Efforts and Evidence Gathering
Phone data analysis proved crucial in directing investigators toward Goodnight Scrub National Park, approximately 100 kilometres northeast of Bundaberg. Officers conducted searches of the area on May 23, seizing items for forensic examination. Authorities suspect evidence may have been relocated prior to their arrival.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the disappearance as “deeply concerning” during a press conference on May 26, as cadaver dogs joined the search operation. The Dive Squad was also deployed as part of the extensive investigation.
Police concentrated their efforts on three primary locations: Airport Drive in Bundaberg, where Bishop was last seen; Samuels Road; and the Gin Gin property where she resided with the two accused individuals.
Discovery of Remains
Human remains were found on June 6, 2025, not buried but positioned close to an area previously searched at Goodnight Scrub National Park. Forensic testing confirmed on June 17 that the remains belonged to Phoebe Bishop. Her luggage and mobile phone have not yet been located.
Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield stated that no one exited the vehicle at the airport terminal following Bishop’s drop-off. Detective Acting Inspector Ryan Thompson noted that she was dropped off by individuals described as “associates.”
Those Charged in Connection With the Case
James Wood and Tanika Bromley appeared in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on June 6, 2025, and were remanded in custody until August 11, 2025. Both face charges of murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse. Prior to these charges, Wood and Bromley had faced unrelated weapons charges in a separate matter.
Tanika Bromley had previously been employed by Bishop’s mother but was made redundant in 2024. The connection between Bromley and Bishop’s family has been noted in court proceedings.
A Third Person Enters the Case
Kieran Daniel Mittelheuser, a 30-year-old man, was charged on July 1, 2025, for allegedly using Bishop’s phone to interfere with the investigation. According to 7NEWS reports, police allege that Wood and Bromley recruited Mittelheuser to assist in their interference efforts.
Court documents allege that Bishop was killed shortly after being dropped off on Airport Drive and that her body was moved twice: once on May 15 and again two days later. These allegations have not been tested in court.
Court Proceedings and Next Steps
The next scheduled court date for James Wood and Tanika Bromley is August 11, 2025, when they will return to Bundaberg Magistrates Court. All three accused persons maintain their right to the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Investigators continue to search for Bishop’s luggage and mobile phone, items that remain missing despite the recovery of her remains. No further public updates have been issued by Queensland Police Service since July 2025. As a complement, you can read about Tan Teng Hock jailed for unlicensed instruction. Tan Teng Hock jailed for unlicensed instruction
Criminal Case Timeline
- May 15, 2025 — Bishop last seen at approximately 8:30am on Airport Drive, Bundaberg, carrying luggage. Dropped off by associates in a grey Hyundai ix35 but did not enter the airport terminal.
- May 16, 2025 — Queensland Police issue a missing persons alert. Both the vehicle and the Gin Gin property are declared crime scenes.
- May 23, 2025 — Phone data leads police to Goodnight Scrub National Park. Items seized for forensic analysis. Evidence believed to have been moved prior to searches.
- May 26, 2025 — Premier David Crisafulli calls the disappearance “deeply concerning.” Cadaver dogs deployed to assist with searches.
- June 4, 2025 — Search operation suspended. James Wood arrested.
- June 5, 2025 — James Wood and Tanika Bromley charged with murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse. Both appear in court.
- June 6, 2025 — Human remains discovered near Goodnight Scrub National Park. Wood and Bromley remanded in custody until August 11, 2025.
- June 17, 2025 — Forensic testing confirms the remains belong to Phoebe Bishop. Her luggage and phone remain missing.
- July 1, 2025 — Kieran Daniel Mittelheuser charged for allegedly using Bishop’s phone to interfere with the investigation.
- July 2, 2025 — 7NEWS reports new charges against Mittelheuser, alleging the two previously charged individuals used him to interfere.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Bishop disappeared on May 15, 2025 | Exact circumstances of her death |
| Her remains were found on June 6 and confirmed on June 17 | Location where she was killed |
| Wood and Bromley have been charged with murder | Motive for the alleged killing |
| Mittelheuser charged for interference | Where Bishop’s luggage and phone are located |
| Bishop was dropped off by associates on Airport Drive | Full identity of all individuals involved |
| Court proceedings scheduled for August 11, 2025 | Whether additional charges will be filed |
Understanding the Context of the Case
Phoebe Bishop’s disappearance sent shockwaves through the Bundaberg region and beyond, drawing national attention in Australia. Her mother described her as “strong-willed” and someone who “followed her own beat to life.” The teenager stood approximately 180 centimetres tall with pale complexion, long dyed red hair, and hazel eyes.
The case highlights the collaborative efforts of various Queensland Police units, including the Dive Squad, forensic teams, and specialised search personnel. The investigation spanned multiple locations across the Wide Bay region, from Bundaberg Airport to the rural town of Gin Gin and the remote terrain of Goodnight Scrub National Park.
The involvement of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli in publicly commenting on the case underscores its gravity. His description of the disappearance as “deeply concerning” reflected growing community concern during the search phase.
Official Sources and Reporting
“A third person has been charged in connection with the murder and disappearance of Queensland teenager Phoebe Bishop. Police allege the two previously charged used the 30-year-old man to interfere with the investigation.”
Comprehensive details about the timeline, arrests, and court proceedings have been documented on Wikipedia, drawing from police statements and court filings. Additional reporting by 7NEWS has provided insight into the final days before Bishop’s disappearance.
No further public developments have been reported since July 2025, with the next significant update expected when court proceedings resume in August.
Summary of the Phoebe Bishop Case
The investigation into Phoebe Bishop’s disappearance has concluded with the recovery of her remains and the charging of three individuals. James Wood and Tanika Bromley face murder charges, while Kieran Daniel Mittelheuser has been charged with allegedly using Bishop’s phone to interfere with the investigation. All three accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Court proceedings are scheduled to continue in August 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Phoebe Bishop?
Phoebe Bishop was a 17-year-old Australian teenager from Gin Gin, Queensland, approximately 180 cm tall with pale complexion, long dyed red hair, and hazel eyes.
When was Phoebe Bishop last seen?
She was last seen on May 15, 2025, at approximately 8:30am on Airport Drive in Bundaberg, Queensland, carrying luggage and wearing a green tank top and grey sweatpants.
Who has been charged in connection with her death?
James Wood and Tanika Bromley, her housemates, have been charged with murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse. A third person, Kieran Daniel Mittelheuser, has been charged with using her phone to interfere with the investigation.
Where were Phoebe Bishop’s remains found?
Human remains were discovered on June 6, 2025, near Goodnight Scrub National Park, close to a previously searched area but not buried.
When are the next court proceedings?
James Wood and Tanika Bromley are next scheduled to appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on August 11, 2025.
What items remain missing?
Phoebe Bishop’s luggage and mobile phone have not been located as of the latest available information.
What is the connection between the accused and Bishop?
Bishop lived with James Wood and Tanika Bromley in Gin Gin, 51 km west of Bundaberg. Tanika Bromley had previously worked for Bishop’s mother but was made redundant in 2024.
Related stories
Liam O'Brien covers Australian politics and public affairs for Australia Voice.