Pheobe Bishop’s ‘gentle soul’ is honoured as her grieving mum shares a symbolic gesture and the community prepares to hold a candlelight vigil
A community grieving the devastating loss of Pheobe Bishop have organised a fundraiser in her memory as her heartbroken mum makes a symbolic gesture.
Queensland Police discovered what was believed to be the missing 17-year-old’s remains in sprawling Good Night Scrub National Park at 2.30pm on Friday, ending the three-week search.
Following the heartbreaking news, family friend Tracey Berends started a GoFundMe on Saturday in loving memory of Pheobe.
‘After speaking with Pheobe’s family, we have decided to honour her memory in a way that reflects the compassion and light she brought into the lives of so many,’ Ms Berends wrote.
‘Pheobe had a gentle soul and a generous spirit – always caring for others and standing up for what was right.
‘We want her legacy to live on and by paying it forward to the amazing volunteers and community.’
The donations will go towards supporting volunteer services like the SES and providing funds for the teenager’s school in Bundaberg.
Pheobe’s mum Kylie Johnson changed her profile picture to a vigil candle with her daughter’s name written on its base, surrounded by flowers and butterfly wings.
Missing 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop (pictured) has been remembered as a ‘gentle soul’
Pheobe’s family (pictured) have supported a fundraiser to give back to the community in the same spirit as the 17-year-old
Pheobe’s mother Kylie Johnson changed her profile picture on Facebook to a vigil candle which has her daughter’s name on it, surrounded by flowers (pictured)
She shared the fundraiser to her Facebook account on Saturday.
‘This is supported by the family. Everyone is wanting to assist and this is how we can give back in honour of Phee,’ she wrote.
Ms Johnson previously described the discovery of her daughters remains as ‘ripping her apart’, has shared the fundraiser on Facebook.
The GoFundMe, which was only started three hours ago at the time of publishing, has raised $1,745 of the $17,000 goal.
It comes as a makeshift memorial has appeared at the ramshackle, rubbish-strewn Gin Gin home Pheobe shared with Bromley and Wood.
The house has been surrounded by bouquets of flowers with a large pink teddy bear standing guard over the property.
A poignant message left by one mourner read: ‘Pheobe, you grew your wings too early beautiful girl. Now, you will no longer feel pain or heartache.
‘You can spread your wings, and know you will be loved.’
A three-week search for Pheobe was concluded on Friday when police found her remains in Good Night Scrub National Park in east Queensland
Ms Johnson (left) said there will be a vigil for the community on Sunday night to start healing
The teen’s family and Gin Gin locals are preparing to honour her memory at a community ceremony tomorrow night.
A candlelight vigil will be held at Kolan Community Park from 4pm.
Ms Johnson has said the vigil is a way for the family to acknowledge Pheobe’s impact on the community.
‘Like most rural families we are resilient, proud and strong but this has brought us to our knees like no drought ever could,’ she said.
‘While we don’t have Phee home to put to rest just yet, our community needs the healing process to start.’
Pheobe went missing after she failed to board a flight at Bundaberg Airport to Brisbane and then onto Western Australia to see her boyfriend on May 15.
Her luggage hasn’t been found, and police say neither her phone or bank accounts have been accessed.
James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were both charged with murder and interfering with a corpse in relation to Pheobe’s disappearance.
The 17-year-old had been living with the pair at a house in Gin Gin before she vanished on May 15. They were the last people to see her alive after dropping her off at Bundaberg Airport.
They remain in custody and were due to front Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday morning but did not appear in person or via video link.
