Nicola Bulley - latest news: Police give update in hunt for missing ...
Nicola Bulley’s partner Paul Ansell speaks out.
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Police investigating the disappearance of missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley said their “main working hypothesis” is that she fell into the River Wyre.
Giving an update on the search for the missing dog walker at a press conference, Superintendent Sally Riley said the case “is not suspicious but a tragic case of a missing person”.
Officers continued their its huge search operation to find Ms Bulley, 45, a mortgage adviser from Inskip, Lancashire, who vanished after dropping off her daughters at school last Friday morning.
Her partner Paul Ansell told Sky News that he can’t get his head around what has happened. He said: “It’s like a dream, I can’t get my head around any of it. Every single scenario comes to a brick wall, all we’re doing is going around and around.”
Ms Bulley’s family have been dealt a fresh blow after a second possible witness said she “didn’t see” the mother-of-two.
Police were urgently hunting for a ‘lady in red’ spotting walking her dog along the River Wyre around the same time the 45-year-old went missing last Friday.
But this possible second witness, 67-year-old Christine Bowman, said she “didn’t see” Ms Bulley while she was walking her own dog, Snowflake, reports the Daily Mirror.
Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley may have fallen into the river, police have said.
Giving an update this afternoon, Lancashire Police said the main hypothesis is that the 45-year-old mother of two fell into the river while walking her dog on Friday, 27 January around 9am.
Thomas Kingsley has the latest.
Joe Middleton3 February 2023 15:00
Superintendent Sally Riley said police suspect that Nicola Bulley has “sadly fallen into the river” and that there is no third party involvement.
Joe Middleton3 February 2023 14:53
Superintendent Sally Riley of Lancashire Police confirms that Nicola Bulley has not yet been found.
Joe Middleton3 February 2023 14:48
The police are giving an update on the search for missing dogwalker Nicola Bulley. We will bring you the latest updates.
Joe Middleton3 February 2023 14:46
Emma White, a friend of Nicola Bulley’s, spoke to Sky News today about her friend’s disappearance.
On how the family and specifically Ms Bulley’s partner, Paul Ansell, is coping, Ms White said: “Put yourself in his shoes, what must he be going through? You’ve also got two little girls here who are missing their mummy. I don’t know how he’s coping.
“The community spirit is keeping him going. We have to hope and pray that something comes out of everyone ringing 101.”
Describing Mr Ansell, Ms White said: “Paul’s very calm, very laid-back, very funny.”
Paul Ansell
(Sky News)
Lucy Skoulding3 February 2023 14:30
Police are expected to give an update this afternoon on the search for missing dogwalker Nicola Bulley.
We’ll bring you the latest updates as it happens.
Joe Middleton3 February 2023 14:11
Nicola Bulley’s friend Emma spoke to Sky News to say the routine her friend followed on the day she went missing was very normal.
“This is the route they do day in, day out,” Emma said, referring to where Ms Bulley was last seen walking with her dog, Willow.
She added: “You can see the type of person she is - multi-tasking, walking the dog, on a Teams call, booking playdates.”
When asked why the dog’s lead and harness might have been found on the bench rather than on Willow, Emma said “it’s not unusual” adding that “she lets the dog off and the dog can go running”.
Lucy Skoulding3 February 2023 14:00
A friend of Nicola Bulley’s, Emma White told Sky News that “today has been tough for everyone” a week after the mother-of-two vanished while on a dog walk.
“Seven days and absolutely no clue, how can people just vanish,” she added.
Speaking of how the family is coping, Ms White said Ms Bulley’s two daughters are keeping to “normal routine” now, going to school to be with their friends after having a few days off.
The community is helping to support Ms Bulley’s partner and father to the two girls, Paul Ansell, as he tries to stay strong for his children.
Ms White continued: “The torch of hope is shining again. After today hopefully we get something.”
Nicola Bulley’s friend Emma White
(BBC Breakfast)
Lucy Skoulding3 February 2023 13:30
A friend of Nicola Bulley’s said the police have received an influx of calls today as the local community continue to raise awareness of the case a week after the dog walker disappeared.
Ms Bulley’s friend Emma White told Sky News: “The community has rallied - we had maps and routes so people could come to help.
“She’s a mum, daughter, aunty, sister - we want to do what we can.”
Ms White said the community is “trying to create attention” and now there has been an “influx of calls to 101” as a result. Police saying they have had more calls and information as a result of today’s push.
The local community are doing all they can in the search for missing Nicola Bulley (Peter Byrne/PA)
(PA Wire)
Lucy Skoulding3 February 2023 13:00
Speaking to Sky News, Nicola Bulley’s friend Emma said she saw her friend at the children’s school just before she went missing.
Ms Bulley dropped her two daughters off at school and left her car in the car park before taking her dog Willow out for a walk.
She was last seen on her walk just before she went missing last Friday. She has not been seen since.
Emma said it “doesn’t make sense” after police said the case is “very unusual”.
Lucy Skoulding3 February 2023 12:20
