Concern for teen who vanished after leaving for airport
Laine Clark |
A 17-year-old girl has missed a flight and vanished, sparking a police investigation into her “suspicious” disappearance and pleas from her family for help.
Pheobe Bishop was last seen near Bundaberg airport in southern Queensland about 8.30am on Thursday after booking a trip to Western Australia, police said.
She has not been seen or heard from since, with CCTV footage indicating she never entered the terminal.
A car has been seized and a property declared a crime scene after police launched an investigation into her “suspicious” disappearance.
“We do hold concerns for her safety,” Detective Acting Inspector Ryan Thompson told reporters on Wednesday.
“It has been nearly a week since she was last sighted and it’s out of character for her not to make any contact with anyone.
“We also hold concerns as she has not checked in as she was required to do (at the airport).”
A Gin Gin property near Bundaberg, where Pheobe was living with two other people, has been declared a crime scene along with a grey Hyundai ix35, police said on Wednesday.
The vehicle thought to have been used to take Pheobe to the airport was seized by police, who believe it belongs to a resident of the property.
Asked who was dropping Pheobe off at the airport, Det Insp Thompson said: “We believe it was those persons she was living with”.
The property’s other residents have spoken to police, he said.
Police have appealed for dashcam or CCTV footage of the vehicle – Queensland registration 414EW3 – near the airport or in the Gin Gin area on Thursday.
“We are certainly hopeful that she is still alive,” Det Insp Thompson said.
“Just because we are deeming this suspicious doesn’t mean … anything sinister has happened.”
Det Insp Thompson said police were keeping Pheobe’s “distressed and concerned” family up to date with the investigation.
Pheobe’s mother Kylie Johnson said the family was “grasping onto hope”.
“We enter another day with Pheobe still missing, our hearts are breaking more and more,” she posted on Facebook.
“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.”
Hundreds of flyers have been posted around the Bundaberg area by the family.
“We as a family are thankful for the message of support and offers of assistance,” Ms Johnson posted.
“Right now we are grasping onto hope and just trying to breath.
“Hold your babies close! We would currently do anything to be able to hold our baby tight right now.”
Pheobe is about 180cm tall with a pale complexion, long hair that’s dyed red, and hazel eyes.
She was last seen carrying luggage, wearing a green tank top and grey sweatpants.
AAP
