Body of Missing Nicola Bulley Found Near Disappearance Location
POLICE looking for missing mother A body was discovered less than a mile from where Nicola Bulley disappeared 23 days ago.
Nicola, 45, was last seen on January 27 at approximately 9:15 a.m. in St. Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire.
Her disappearance sparked a mystery when her cell phone was discovered on a bench while still connected to a business conference call.
Willow, Nicola’s springer spaniel, was also located, but there was no sign of the mother of two.
The police searching for Nicola confirmed today that a body was discovered less than a mile from where she was last seen.
Since no formal identification has been conducted, they are unable to determine whether the remains belong to the mother of two.
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The force issued a statement stating: “At 11:36 a.m. today, we were notified of a body in the River Wyre near Rawcliffe Road.
“Subsequently, an underwater search team and specialized officers attended the scene, entered the water, and recovered a body.
“We are currently unable to confirm if this is Nicola Bulley due to the absence of a formal identification procedure.
“The identification procedures are ongoing. At this time, we are treating death as unexplained.
“The family of Nicola has been informed of recent events, and our thoughts are with them during these trying times. We request that their privacy be maintained.”
Upon receiving a tip from two dog walkers, law enforcement today cordoned off an area less than one mile from where Nicola was last seen.
Divers were observed entering the water this morning after two police cars rushed to the scene.
ALSO READ: Family slams police decision to release “vulnerability” claims about Nicola Bulley
A police helicopter circled overhead as a man and a woman pointed to the location where a new search was initiated.
The search area includes Rawcliffe Road and adjacent footpaths.
The tragic discovery follows police confirmation that Nicola was considered a high-risk missing person when she vanished.
Partner Paul Ansell and Nicola’s family alerted the police to the fact that Nicola possessed “vulnerabilities” at the time she went missing.
These included “significant alcohol issues” in the past that were caused by her “ongoing menopause struggles.”
Police confirmed that Nicola’s struggles had resurfaced in recent months.
Added statement: “This created significant difficulties for Paul and his family.
“On January 10, a response car staffed by both police and health professionals responded to a report of concern for Nicola’s welfare at her residence.
No arrests have been made about this incident, but an investigation is ongoing.
Officers have defended their decision to release the personal information in response to criticism from members of parliament and former officers.
ALSO READ: Friend defends Nicola Bulley over police sharing alcohol struggles
The police have referred themselves to the Independent Office of Police Conduct in response to a directive from the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, to explain why the information was disclosed.
The family of Nicola released a statement pleading with the public to “focus on finding her.”
It states: “Now that the police know the truth about Nikki, the public must concentrate on locating her.
“As a result of the perimenopause, Nikki suffered from significant side effects such as brain fog and restless sleep. She was taking HRT to alleviate these symptoms, but it was giving her severe headaches, so she stopped taking it in the hope that it would help, but it ended up causing this crisis.”
In the heartbreaking statement, the family also made direct contact with Nicola.
They noted: “Nikki, we hope you are reading this and that you know how much we adore you and that your daughters want a cuddle.
We all require your return.
This week, Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith reiterated that the “main working hypothesis” of the police was that she fell into the river.
ALSO READ: Nicola Bulley’s family blames stopping menopause drugs for health crisis
However, she revealed two other explanations for her disappearance: Nicola’s voluntary departure from the area and the involvement of a third party.
Officers shifted their search for the mother 20 miles to the coast, believing that Nicola may have been taken to sea.
Paul Ansell, Nicola’s partner, told Dan Walker of Channel 5 last Friday that “something happened that day” as people do “disappear into thin air.”
Two weeks after she was last seen, he spoke of his anguish over her disappearance.
What happened to Nicola Bulley in Vanished? Paul said: “It just doesn’t feel real. I feel as though I am in the Truman show.
“Like, I truly believe I will awaken at any moment…
How did we even get here? We are decent people.
Paul added that he is experiencing “anger, a great deal of frustration, confusion, disbelief, and surrealism” as the family endures “unprecedented hell.”
Officers previously released a timeline detailing the final movements of the missing mother before she vanished.
ALSO READ: Cops reveal missing mum Nicola Bulley’s ‘vulnerabilities’ during high-risk disappearance
Nicola began her walk to the River Wyre along the towpath at 8:43 a.m., after dropping off her two children at school.
A dog walker who knew Nicola reportedly spotted her walking around the lower field with her springer spaniel Willow approximately seven minutes later.
The witness stated that their two dogs briefly interacted before she departed from Nicola via the river path.
The mother emailed her boss at Exclusively Mortgages at 8:53 a.m.
She then joined a Teams call at 9:01 a.m., and nine minutes later was spotted walking Willow on the upper field.
The police report that the work call ended at 9.30 a.m., but Nicola remained logged on.
At approximately 9:35 a.m., the mobile phone and Willow were discovered on a bench by the river, but Nicola was nowhere to be found.
ALSO READ: New Evidence in Nicola Bulley Case: Stained Glove Found
To locate the mother of two, police, firefighters, mountain rescue, underwater teams, and members of the community launched a massive search.
Officers combed through wooded areas, ditches, water’s edge, and the grounds of an abandoned residence.
Peter Faulding, a scuba diving expert, launched a specialized search using £50,000 worth of sonar equipment to comb the water.
He stated that he did not believe Nicola was in the river because she could have “stood up” if she had fallen in.
Paul, Nicola’s partner, and Louise Cunningham, Nicola’s sister, also questioned the police theory.
After today’s tragic discovery, Peter tweeted: “During this difficult time, Nicola’s family and friends are in our thoughts. #nicolabulley”
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