Advertisement

Nicola Bulley - latest news: Sister questions police theory missing dog walker fell in river

Nicola Bulley - latest news: Sister questions police theory missing dog walker fell in river

The sister of missing dog walker Nicola Bulley has disputed police claims that the 45-year-old “fell in the river.”

Lancashire Police stated in a press conference held on Friday afternoon that they believe Ms Bulley is likely to have gone into the water in St Michael’s on Wyre whilst walking her dog.

The theory supposes that the mother fell during a 10-minute window, as police do not believe there is any criminal or third-party involvement.

However, Ms Bulley’s sister, Louise Cunningham, has questioned the idea. She urged the public to “keep an open mind” in a social media post on Friday evening, adding that there is “no evidence” her sister fell into the water.

In an interview with Sky News, Ms Bulley’s close friend Emma White disputed that a ball had been taken on the walk.

“Willow used to love a tennis ball, but it used to disturb the walk so they haven’t had the tennis ball since way into last year”, Ms White confirmed. “There was definitely no ball.”

Key Points

  • Police believe missing dog walker Nicola Bulley fell into River Wyre

  • ‘Stuck in a nightmare’: Nicola Bulley’s family issue emotional plea for information

  • Timeline of dog walker’s mysterious disappearance

  • Police cordon off bench where Nicola Bulley’s phone was discovered

  • What happened to Nicola Bulley?

  • Possible second witness said she ‘didn’t see’ Ms Bulley

  • Nicola Bulley’s partner says it’s like she’s ‘vanished into thin air’

Timeline of dog walker’s mysterious disappearance

21:24 , Andy Gregory

The police have offered this timeline of Nicola Bulley’s last-known movements:

8.43am – Nicola walked along the path by the River Wyre, having dropped her children off at school

8:50am (approximately) - A dog-walker – somebody who knows Nicola – saw her walking around the lower field with her dog. Their two dogs interacted briefly before the witness left the field via the river path

8.53am – She sent an email to her boss

9.01am – She logged into a Teams call

9.10am (approximately) – A witness – somebody who knows Nicola – saw her on the upper field walking her dog, Willow. Work is ongoing today to establish exactly what time this was.

9.30am – The Teams call ended but Nicola stayed logged on

9.35am (approximately) – Nicola’s mobile phone and Willow were found at a bench by the river by another dog-walker.

Full details as police seek third witness to help find Nicola Bulley

20:15 , Thomas Kingsley

Lancashire Police said: “Officers leading the search for Nicola Bulley who is missing in St Michael’s on Wyre need to trace a key witness who they believe was in the area on the morning of Nicola’s disappearance.

“A woman was seen walking on Garstang Road/Blackpool Road, St Michael’s on the morning of Friday 27 January pushing a pram.

“She was seen walking from the direction of Allotment Lane towards the Grapes public house at approximately 8.22am and is seen again walking on Allotment Lane towards Garstang Road at 8.41am.

“It is believed that the female in question may have walked along the river path during these times and so detectives want to speak to her and urge her to get in touch.

“We are also appealing to anyone who was driving down Blackpool Lane/Garstang Lane on the morning of Friday 27th January between the times of 9am and 10am who has dash cam footage on their vehicles to make contact.”

Mapped: Where was Nicola Bulley last sighted?

19:44 , Andy Gregory

 (Lancashire Police)
(Lancashire Police)

CCTV image shows ‘key witness’ being sought by police

18:54 , Andy Gregory

Here is the CCTV picture of the person to whom police are appealing for information:

 (Lancashire Police handout)
(Lancashire Police handout)

Police searching for missing dog walker appealing for third ‘key witness’

18:32 , Andy Gregory

Police searching for Nicola Bulley are seeking a “key witness” who they believe was in the area on the morning of her disappearance.

The witness is a woman seen pushing a pram on the morning Ms Bulley went missing.

“It is believed that the female in question may have walked along the river path during these times and so detectives want to speak to her and urge her to get in touch,” Lancashire Constabulary said.

My colleague Thomas Kingsley has the breaking story here:

Police searching for missing dog walker appealing for third ‘key witness’

Unanswered questions over missing dog walker mystery

17:04 , Andy Gregory

Lancashire Police have stated that their main working hypothesis is that Nicola Bulley “fell” into the river, and that her disappearance was “not suspicious”, but the “tragic case of a missing person.”

But as Ms Bulley’s family contest that idea, my colleague Eleanor Noyce has taken a look at the unanswered questions surrounding her disappearance:

Unanswered questions over missing dog walker mystery as family dispute police theory

Nicola Bulley: Friend says ‘factual evidence’ needed as she questions police ‘hypothesis’

15:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Family and friends of Nicola Bulley have questioned a police update suggesting the mother-of-two fell into the river.

Officers believe Ms Bulley, 45, “sadly” fell into the River Wyre while walking her dog last Friday but are continuing the search.

“When we are talking about a life we can’t base it on a hypothesis - surely we need this factual evidence,” friend Emma White told Sky News.

“We still have no evidence and that’s why we’re out together in force. You don’t base life on a hypothesis.”

Oliver Browning reports:

Nicola Bulley friend questions police ‘hypothesis’ and says ‘factual evidence’ needed

How have police been investigating Nicola Bulley’s disappearance?

14:30 , Eleanor Noyce

In a press conference held on Friday afternoon, Lancashire Police confirmed that their working hypothesis on 45-year-old Nicola Bulley’s disappearance is that “for whatever reason”, she fell into the river.

Police are confident that Ms Bulley has not left the field where she was last seen. They believe that nothing untoward has happened to her, and do not suspect third-party involvement.

But what has the inquiry into Ms Bulley’s disappearance involved, and how have police conducted their investigation?

The work has included:

  • Extensive and thorough searches of the river and footpaths by specialist police search teams and partner agencies including HM Coastguard, mountain rescue and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. Resources have included specialist search dogs, drone, police helicopter and divers. These searches are continuing.

  • A team of detectives working behind the scenes analysing telephony, house to house, CCTV, dashcam and carrying out other digital enquiries and examining information coming into the inquiry

  • Several public appeals for information and to trace witnesses. Key witnesses have all now been traced.

Ms Bulley was last seen on January 27 at around 9.20am on the footpath by the river off Garstang Road.

Anybody who has seen Nicola Bulley, or has information about where she might be, is asked to call 101, quoting log 565 of January 30. For immediate sightings, please call 999.

Women ‘fearful of going out’ in village where Nicola Bulley vanished

14:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Women are fearful of going out in the village where dog walker Nicola Bulley vanished a week ago, a potential witness traced by police has said.

Christine Bowman, 67, had been identified as a dog walker who may have been one of the last people to see Ms Bulley before her disappearance last Friday morning as she walked her dog near the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire.

But after Ms Bowman, a retired teacher, was traced following a police appeal, she told the Daily Mirror she had already spoken to officers and “doesn’t know anything”.

She added: “It has made local women fearful. If they have husbands or partners, they have been taking the dogs out instead.”

Lancashire Police, who have launched a huge search operation, said that despite “unanswered questions”, people should not “speculate or spread false rumours” about the disappearance.

Read more:

Women ‘fearful of going out’ in village where Nicola Bulley vanished

Police reveal what missing dog walker Nicola Bulley was wearing before she vanished

13:30 , Eleanor Noyce

Police have revealed the clothes missing dog walker Nicola Bulley was last seen wearing before she disappeared.

Holding a press conference on Friday afternoon, Lancashire Police said they believe thatMs Bulley fell into the River Wyre. This incident is “not suspicious” but a “tragic case of a missing person,” the force said.

Superintendent Sally Riley gave a list of clothing and accessories police are searching for in connection with Ms Bulley.

“I do have an update on the clothing that Nicola was last seen wearing, and this is something that the public who live in the area, or who walk their dogs on the river path near to St Michael’s or downstream of St Michael’s towards Morecambe Bay, can look out for,” she said.

“They are an ankle-length black quilted gilet jacket, a black Engelbert Strauss waist-length coat which was worn underneath the gilet, tight-fitting black jeans, long green walking socks tucked into her jeans, ankle-length green Next wellies, a necklace and a pale blue Fitbit.

“It’s really important that the public pay heed to those very specific clothing descriptions please, because factual sightings of those items would be very useful to us.”

Read more:

Police reveal what missing dog walker Nicola Bulley was wearing before she vanished

The final email and an abandoned Teams call: Timeline of dog walker’s mysterious disappearance

13:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The last known movements of missing dog walker Nicola Bulley have been revealed by police.

Nicola Bulley, 45, a mortgage advisor, was last seen on Friday morning at around 9.20am while walking her dog alongside the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire.

She had just dropped off two her daughters, aged six and nine, at the local school in the village.

Ms Bulley’s phone was found, apparently still engaged on a work call, on a park bench nearby, along with the harness and lead for her dog, Willow, a springer spaniel.

Her parents, Ernest and Dot Bulley, have since spoken of their “dread” at the thought of never seeing her again, and of hearing their grandchildren “sobbing” after being told “mummy is lost”.

Here, Matt Mathers takes a look at her last known movements:

Timeline of Nicola Bulley’s mysterious disappearance

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley’s final text before she disappeared revealed

12:30 , Eleanor Noyce

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley’s final text before she “vanished into thin air” has been revealed.

The 45-year-old was last seen walking her dog by the river in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on Friday 27 January. She was still logged into a Microsoft Teams call which had ended at 9.30am when her phone was recovered.

Just half an hour earlier, the mother of two had texted a friend to book a playdate. She sent the message at 8.57am shortly before logging into the Teams call, locals at a village meeting were told.

Ms Bulley had just dropped her two daughters, aged six and nine, at school on Friday morning.

Read more:

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley’s final text before she disappeared revealed

Mystery of mother who vanished during a work conference call

12:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Walking your dog, going for a coffee, popping out for a run: all normal activities carried out daily with minimal issue.

However, for mother-of-two Nicola Bulley, a walk along the River Wyre has turned into a sizable mystery sparking a missing person investigation after the 45-year-old vanished off Garstang Road in the village of St Michael’s on Wyre, leaving just her Spaniel.

Emergency crews including Lancashire Fire and Rescue, Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue team and the North West Underwater Search Team have joined the investigation, while Lancashire Police have spoken to two potential witnesses.

An unknown man aged around 70, white, 6ft tall, well-built, who was walking a small white fluffy dog on a lead, is believed to have been in the area around the time Ms Bulley disappeared.

The second potential witness was spotted on CCTV at 8:48am close to the area where Ms Bulley was last seen. She was also walking a small, white dog and is described as wearing a red and white coat with a fur hood, and a bobble hat. Police said they had traced both witnesses.

Thomas Kingsley reports:

Nicola Bulley: Mystery of mortgage adviser who vanished while walking her dog

Friends call for ‘factual evidence’ rather than hypothesis

11:40 , Sam Rkaina

What have the police been doing to find her?

11:06 , Sam Rkaina

Lancashire Police provided an update on the search efforts on Friday.

“It’s now a week since the mum of two went missing and since last Friday we have been carrying out extensive searches in the area along with many other inquiries in the background,” a statement said, before listing the latest activities.

  • Extensive and thorough searches of the river and footpaths by specialist police search teams and partner agencies including HM Coastguard, mountain rescue and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. Resources have included specialist search dogs, drone, police helicopter and divers. These searches are continuing.

  • A team of detectives working behind the scenes analysing telephony, house to house, CCTV, dashcam and carrying out other digital enquiries and examining information coming into the inquiry

  • Several public appeals for information and to trace witnesses. Key witnesses have all now been traced. We are grateful to the media for all their coverage and to the community for their help, information and support.

The police theory explained

10:24 , Sam Rkaina

Police believe the 45-year-old mortgage adviser went missing in just “a 10-minute window” while she was walking her dog, Willow, close to the River Wyre, after dropping off her daughters – aged six and nine – at school.

Ms Bulley had logged in to a Microsoft Teams call at 9.01am, which ended at 9.30am with her phone still connected to the call.

She was seen by another dog walker at 9.10am – the last known sighting – and police traced telephony records of her mobile phone as it remained on a bench overlooking the river at 9.20am.

The device was found by a dog walker at around 9.35am, with Willow nearby.

The police search has been aided by specialists and divers from HM Coastguard, mountain rescue, and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service – with sniffer dogs, drones and police helicopters deployed.

Detectives are also working behind the scenes to analyse CCTV and dashcam videos, and members of the public with footage which could be useful have been urged to come forward.

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley’s friend disputes that a ball was taken on the walk

10:00 , Eleanor Noyce

In an interview with Sky News, Nicola Bulley’s close friend Emma White disputed that a ball had been taken on the dog walk. She describes how the spaniel would often “pester” for it, so Ms Bulley made the decision to stop using it.

“Willow used to love a tennis ball, but it used to disturb the walk so they haven’t had the tennis ball since way into last year”, Ms White confirmed. “There was definitely no ball.”

In an interview with MailOnline, Superintendent Sally Riley said that police were looking at all scenarios. However, she admitted that it was “possible” that Ms Bulley fell into the river whilst trying to recover a tennis ball for her dog close to the water’s edge.

Ms White is similarly critical of the Lancashire Police claims, expressing that it was a disappointment for Friday’s press conference to be based purely on hypothesis rather than confirmed facts.

“When we’re talking about a life, we can’t base it on a hypothesis,” she said. “Surely we need this factual evidence.”

Lancashire Police stated on Friday that they believe Ms Bulley is likely to have gone into the water in St Michael’s on Wyre whilst walking her dog. Substantial CCTV in the surrounding areas has ruled out that Ms Bulley left the park via the majority of the gates.

Read more:

Missing dogwalker’s sister disputes police theory that she fell in river

Nicola Bulley’s friend says missing mother is ‘kindest soul’

09:30 , Sam Rkaina

A friend of Nicola Bulley has read a letter written by her daughter to the missing mother-of-two’s family.

“We’re always there for you, we love you so much,” the letter said.

Watch:

Nicola Bulley’s friend says missing mother is ‘kindest soul’

Missing dogwalker’s sister disputes police theory that she fell in river

08:58 , Sam Rkaina

The sister of missing dog walker Nicola Bulley has disputed police claims that the 45-year-old “fell in the river.”

Lancashire Police stated in a press conference held on Friday afternoon that they believe Ms Bulley is likely to have gone into the water in St Michael’s on Wyre whilst walking her dog.

The theory supposes that the mother fell during a 10-minute window, as police do not believe there is any criminal or third-party involvement.

However, Ms Bulley’s sister, Louise Cunningham, has questioned the idea. She urged the public to “keep an open mind” in a social media post on Friday evening, adding that there is “no evidence” her sister fell into the water.

Click here for the full story.

Police officers on the River Wyre, in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, as police continue their search for missing woman Nicola Bulley (PA Wire)
Police officers on the River Wyre, in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, as police continue their search for missing woman Nicola Bulley (PA Wire)

All the evidence released so far in the case of the missing dog walker

08:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Nicola Bulley, a 45-year-old mother-of-two and mortgage adviser, is still missing a week after she disappeared while out walking her dog after dropping her young daughters off at primary school.

Here’s a brief overview of the information released so far as the investigation continues:

All the evidence released so far in the Nicola Bulley case

Everything we know so far about Nicola Bulley

08:00 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Police are continuing with a major search for Nicola Bulley, the missing mother-of-two who disappeared one week ago.

Here is everything we know so far:

Everything we know so far as mother vanishes while walking dog

Who is Nicola Bulley?

07:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Nicola Bulley is a 45-year-old mortgage adviser and mother-of-two who has been missing since last Friday.

Ms Bulley is from Inskip, Lancashire, and is described as white, 5ft 3in, with light brown shoulder-length hair.

She was last seen near the river at around 9.20am last Friday morning, after dropping her daughters, aged six and nine, at the school in the village.

Her mobile phone and dog were later found by a bench by another dog-walker.

A major search has been launched to find Ms Bulley, utilising a police helicopter, drones, sniffer dogs and diving teams.

On Friday Lancashire Police said they believe that Ms Bulley fell into the River Wyre.

This incident is “not suspicious” but a “tragic case of a missing person,” the force said.

 (PA/Supplied)
(PA/Supplied)

Timeline of events in the case of missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley

07:00 , Joe Middleton

The search for mother-of-two Nicola Bulley has now been ongoing for a week, as police work on the hypothesis that she may have fallen into the River Wyre while walking her dog.

Here is a timeline of how their findings have developed, and what Ms Bulley’s friends and family have said since the day she disappeared.

Timeline of events in the case of missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley

RECAP: Latest details on missing Nicola Bulley

06:40 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Police have released new details relating to missing dog walker Nicola Bulley.

On Friday Lancashire Police said they believe that Ms Bulley fell into the River Wyre.

This incident is “not suspicious” but a “tragic case of a missing person,” the force said.

Superintendent Sally Riley gave a list of clothing and accessories police are searching for in connection with Ms Bulley.

“It’s really important that the public pay heed to those very specific clothing descriptions please, because factual sightings of those items would be very useful to us,” she said.

 (Sky News)
(Sky News)

RECAP: Latest details on missing Nicola Bulley

06:39 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Police have released new details relating to missing dog walker Nicola Bulley.

On Friday Lancashire Police said they believe that Ms Bulley fell into the River Wyre.

This incident is “not suspicious” but a “tragic case of a missing person,” the force said.

Superintendent Sally Riley gave a list of clothing and accessories police are searching for in connection with Ms Bulley.

“It’s really important that the public pay heed to those very specific clothing descriptions please, because factual sightings of those items would be very useful to us,” she said.

 (Sky News)
(Sky News)

Police believe missing dog walker Nicola Bulley fell into River Wyre

06:00 , Joe Middleton

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley probably suddenly fell into the river when she vanished, detectives say – and they do not believe there was any criminal involvement.

Lancashire Police said their main hypothesis was that the mother of two fell in during a 10-minute window after the last known sighting of her.

After tracing local CCTV, dashcam and doorbell camera footage, police are confident Ms Bulley did not leave the area near the river.

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley likely fell into river, police say

Nicola Bulley: Parents of missing mother say their lives 'feel so empty' since disappearance

05:00 , Joe Middleton

Aerial footage shows where Nicola Bulley is feared to have fallen in river

04:00 , Joe Middleton

Aerial footage shows the location where police fear Nicola Bulley could have fallen into the River Wyre.

The mother-of-two disappeared last Friday, 27 January, after she went for a walk along a river path at St Michaels on Wyre.

Officers said their “main working hypothesis” is that she fell into the river during her walk, and it is “not suspicious but a tragic case.”

She was last seen at around 9:20am that morning after dropping off her daughters to school in the local village.

Aerial footage shows where Nicola Bulley is feared to have fallen in river

Women ‘fearful of going out’ in village where Nicola Bulley vanished

03:00 , Joe Middleton

Women are fearful of going out in the village where dog walker Nicola Bulley vanished a week ago, a potential witness traced by police has said.

Christine Bowman, 67, had been identified as a dog walker who may have been one of the last people to see Ms Bulley before her disappearance last Friday morning as she walked her dog near the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire.

But after Ms Bowman, a retired teacher, was traced following a police appeal, she told the Daily Mirror she had already spoken to officers and “doesn’t know anything”.

Women ‘fearful of going out’ in village where Nicola Bulley vanished

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley likely fell into river, police say

02:00 , Joe Middleton

Police reveal what missing dog walker Nicola Bulley was wearing before she vanished

01:00 , Joe Middleton

Police have revealed the clothes missing dog walker Nicola Bulley was last seen wearing before she disappeared.

Holding a press conference on Friday afternoon, Lancashire Police said they believe that Ms Bulley fell into the River Wyre. This incident is “not suspicious” but a “tragic case of a missing person,” the force said.

Superintendent Sally Riley gave a list of clothing and accessories police are searching for in connection with Ms Bulley.

Police reveal what missing dog walker Nicola Bulley was wearing before she vanished

All the evidence released so far in the case of the missing dog walker

Friday 3 February 2023 23:59 , Joe Middleton

Nicola Bulley, a 45-year-old mother-of-two and mortgage adviser, is still missing a week after she disappeared while out walking her dog after dropping her young daughters off at primary school.

Ms Bulley, originally from Essex but now lives in Inskip, was heading east along the River Wyre in Lancashire with her brown springer spaniel Willow when she vanished near St Michael’s on Wyre at approximately 9.15am on 27 January.

She was seen by at least one fellow dog walker moments before disappearing.

All the evidence released so far in the Nicola Bulley case

Aerials of River Wyre where Nicola Bulley is feared to have fallen in

Friday 3 February 2023 23:00 , Joe Middleton

Police reveal what missing dog walker Nicola Bulley was wearing before she vanished

Friday 3 February 2023 22:00 , Joe Middleton

Police have revealed the clothes missing dog walker Nicola Bulley was last seen wearing before she disappeared.

Holding a press conference on Friday afternoon, Lancashire Police said they believe that Ms Bulley fell into the River Wyre. This incident is “not suspicious” but a “tragic case of a missing person,” the force said.

Superintendent Sally Riley gave a list of clothing and accessories police are searching for in connection with Ms Bulley.

Police reveal what missing dog walker Nicola Bulley was wearing before she vanished

Nicola Bulley's husband is 'on worst rollercoaster of his life', says friend of missing mother

Friday 3 February 2023 21:00 , Joe Middleton

Map outlines missing dog walker Nicola Bulley’s last known movements

Friday 3 February 2023 20:00 , Joe Middleton

Mother-of-two Nicola Bulley remains missing a week after she disappeared while out walking her springer spaniel Willow.

The 45-year-old mortgage adviser had just dropped off her daughters, aged six and nine, at primary school before setting out east along a towpath by the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on 27 January.

She was seen by at least one fellow dog walker moments prior to vanishing.

Map outlines missing Nicola Bulley’s last known movements

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley’s partner speaks for first time since disappearance

Friday 3 February 2023 19:00 , Joe Middleton

The partner of Nicola Bulley has spoken out publicly for the first time since the mother-of-two went missing.

Ms Bulley, 45, a mortgage adviser from Inskip, Lancashire, vanished while walking her dog after dropping off her daughters, aged six and nine, at school last Friday morning.

Paul Ansell said: “We’re never going to lose hope, but right now it’s as though she vanished into thin air, it’s just insane.”

Thomas Kingsley reports.

Missing dog walker’s partner speaks for first time since disappearance

The final email and an abandoned Teams call: Timeline of dog walker’s mysterious disappearance

Friday 3 February 2023 18:00 , Joe Middleton

The last known movements of missing dog walker Nicola Bulley have been revealed by police.

Nicola Bulley, 45, a mortgage advisor, was last seen on Friday morning at around 9.20am while walking her dog alongside the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire.

She had just dropped off two her daughters, aged six and nine, at the local school in the village.

Matt Mathers reports.

Timeline of Nicola Bulley’s mysterious disappearance

Nicola Bulley's friend says missing mother is 'kindest soul'

Friday 3 February 2023 17:10 , Joe Middleton

Map showing dog walker’s movements on the day she disappeared

Friday 3 February 2023 16:44 , Joe Middleton

 (Datawrapper/The Independent)
(Datawrapper/The Independent)

No trace of missing mother ever leaving riverside, police say

Friday 3 February 2023 16:35 , Joe Middleton

Nicola Bulley, the mother-of-two who was reported missing a week ago, is believed to have fallen into a river, police said on Friday, 3 February.

The mortgage adviser, 45, disappeared on Friday, 27 January, whilst out walking her dog in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire.

Emergency services were alerted when the mortgage adviser’s dog Willow was seen running loose off Garstang Road around 25 minutes after she was last seen by another dog walker.

No third party or criminal involvement is suspected, Superintendent Sally Riley of Lancashire Police told a press conference.

Nicola Bulley: No trace of missing mother ever leaving riverside, police say

Nicola Bulley’s husband is ‘on worst rollercoaster of his life’, says friend of missing mother

Friday 3 February 2023 15:53 , Joe Middleton

‘Issue’ with Nicola Bulley’s dog may have led her to river’s edge, say police

Friday 3 February 2023 15:36 , Joe Middleton

Superintendent Sally Riley said an “issue” with missing Nicola Bulley‘s dog may have led her to the water’s edge.

Speaking at a press conference, Ms Riley said: “I don’t wish to speculate, in that we don’t know, but it is possible as the dog was loose and off the lead.

“There may have been an issue with the dog that led her to the water’s edge, she puts her phone down to go and deal with the dog momentarily, and Nicola may have fallen in.

“We assume the dog didn’t get into the river, but we don’t know why Nicola may have if she did.”

Ms Riley added that “the dog was dry” and Ms Bulley can swim.

Aerials of River Wyre where Nicola Bulley is feared to have fallen in

Friday 3 February 2023 15:25 , Joe Middleton

Police give list of clothing and accessories they are searching for

Friday 3 February 2023 15:17 , Joe Middleton

Superintendent Sally Riley of Lancashire Police has given a list of clothing and accessories police are searching for in connection with missing Nicola Bulley.

She told a press conference: “I do have an update on the clothing that Nicola was last seen wearing, and this is something that the public who live in the area, or who walk their dogs on the river path near to St Michael’s or downstream of St Michael’s towards Morecambe Bay, can look out for.

“They are an ankle-length black quilted gilet jacket, a black Engelbert Strauss waist-length coat which was worn underneath the gilet, tight-fitting black jeans, long green walking socks tucked into her jeans, ankle-length green Next wellies, a necklace and a pale blue Fitbit.

“It’s really important that the public pay heed to those very specific clothing descriptions please, because factual sightings of those items would be very useful to us.”

Missing dog walker ‘vanished in a 10-minute window’, police say

Friday 3 February 2023 15:08 , Joe Middleton

Missing Nicola Bulley vanished in a 10-minute window, police believe.

Superintendent Sally Riley told the press conference that the last confirmed sighting of her took place at 9.10am that day where she was seen on Upper Field walking her dog.

Her dog was off the lead which was normal, the superintendent added.

At 9.20am police believe her phone was on a bench while connected to a work Teams meeting, which ended 10 minutes later.

Ms Riley said: “We only have a 10-minute window in which we cannot account for Nicola’s movements.”

Superintendent Sally Riley (Sky NEws)
Superintendent Sally Riley (Sky NEws)

Police believe missing dog walker Nicola Bulley fell into River Wyre

Friday 3 February 2023 15:00 , Joe Middleton

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.

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley likely fell into river, police say

Police suspect Nicola Bulley has ‘sadly fallen into the river’

Friday 3 February 2023 14:53 , Joe Middleton

Superintendent Sally Riley said police suspect that Nicola Bulley has “sadly fallen into the river” and that there is no third party involvement.

Missing dog walker not yet found, say police

Friday 3 February 2023 14:48 , Joe Middleton

Superintendent Sally Riley of Lancashire Police confirms that Nicola Bulley has not yet been found.

Press conference starts

Friday 3 February 2023 14:46 , Joe Middleton

The police are giving an update on the search for missing dogwalker Nicola Bulley. We will bring you the latest updates.

‘The community spirit is keeping him going'

Friday 3 February 2023 14:30 , Lucy Skoulding

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)
Paul Ansell (Sky News)

Police to give update on search for missing dogwalker

Friday 3 February 2023 14:11 , Joe Middleton

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.

Friday 3 February 2023 14:00 , Lucy Skoulding

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”.

Friend says ‘torch of hope is shining’ as community rally around family

Friday 3 February 2023 13:30 , Lucy Skoulding

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)
Nicola Bulley’s friend Emma White (BBC Breakfast)

Friday 3 February 2023 13:00 , Lucy Skoulding

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)
The local community are doing all they can in the search for missing Nicola Bulley (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)

Friend says she saw Nicola Bulley at school morning she went missing

Friday 3 February 2023 12:20 , Lucy Skoulding

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”.

Map outlines Nicola Bulley’s last movements

Friday 3 February 2023 11:37 , Lucy Skoulding

A map displays the last known movements of missing dog walker Nicola Bulley.

The mother-of-two remains missing a week after she disappeared last Friday while out walking her springer spaniel Willow.

The 45-year-old mortgage adviser had just dropped off her daughters, aged six and nine, at primary school before setting out east along a towpath by the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on 27 January.

She was seen by at least one fellow dog walker moments prior to vanishing.

Read the full story by reporter Joe Sommerlad.

Map shows last known movements of Nicola Bulley
Map shows last known movements of Nicola Bulley

Nicola Bulley’s friend tearfully reads letter to missing mother’s family

Friday 3 February 2023 11:21 , Lucy Skoulding

Nicola Bulley’s friend has tearfully read out a letter written by her daughter to the missing mother-of-two’s family.

The mortgage adviser disappeared last Friday morning, 27 January, as she walked her dog near the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre.

Emma White was visibly emotional as she read a letter on BBC Breakfast today, a week after Ms Bulley vanished.

“We’re always there for you, we love you so much,” the letter said.

Nicola Bulley’s final text to a friend before she disappeared

Friday 3 February 2023 10:46 , Lucy Skoulding

Nicola Bulley’s final text before she “vanished into thin air” has been revealed.

The 45-year-old was last seen walking her dog by the river in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on Friday 27 January. She was still logged into a Microsoft Teams call which had ended at 9.30am when her phone was recovered.

Just half an hour earlier, the mother of two had texted a friend to book a playdate. She sent the message at 8.57am shortly before logging into the Teams call, locals at a village meeting were told.

Read the full story by reporter Eleanor Noyce.