Police searching for missing Nicola Bulley have sadly recovered a body in the River Wyre near Rawcliffe Road in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire. Formal identification has not yet been carried out, so it is not yet known if the body is that of Ms Bulley. The death is currently being treated as “unexplained”.
Ms Bulley, a 45-year-old mother-of-two and mortgage adviser, was last seen walking her springer spaniel Willow after dropping off her two daughters, aged six and nine, at school on 27 January. Her dog was found shortly after, along with her phone – still connected to a work conference call – on a bench by a steep riverbank.
The search for Ms Bulley drew huge interest, with large numbers of people visiting and filming around the area. This led to police issuing dispersal notices and warnings over anti-social behaviour. Her family said public focus had “become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours”.
Lancashire Police have informed Ms Bulley’s family of the developments and asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time. They said: “Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times.”
The body was found about a mile from where Ms Bulley was last seen in the small village of St Michael’s on Wyre. Police previously said they believed the 45-year-old had gone into the river and that her disappearance was not suspicious.
The search for Ms Bulley has now come to an end, with the recovery of a body in the River Wyre. Formal identification has not yet been carried out, so it is not yet known if the body is that of Ms Bulley. The death is currently being treated as “unexplained”. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.