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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Nicola Bulley: Police find a body in River Wyre | Nicola Bulley: Police find a body in River Wyre |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Nicola Bulley was last seen during a riverside walk on 27 January | Nicola Bulley was last seen during a riverside walk on 27 January |
| Police searching for missing Nicola Bulley have found a body in the river. | Police searching for missing Nicola Bulley have found a body in the river. |
| The mother-of two disappeared during a riverside dog walk in St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire three weeks ago, sparking a major search operation. | The mother-of two disappeared during a riverside dog walk in St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire three weeks ago, sparking a major search operation. |
| Lancashire Police said they "sadly recovered a body" after they were called to the River Wyre near Rawcliffe Road at 11:35 GMT on Sunday. | Lancashire Police said they "sadly recovered a body" after they were called to the River Wyre near Rawcliffe Road at 11:35 GMT on Sunday. |
| A statement said formal identification had not yet been carried out "so we are unable to say" if it was Ms Bulley. | A statement said formal identification had not yet been carried out "so we are unable to say" if it was Ms Bulley. |
| The death was currently being treated as "unexplained", it added. | |
| "Nicola's family have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times. We ask that their privacy is respected," Lancashire Police said. | "Nicola's family have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times. We ask that their privacy is respected," Lancashire Police said. |
| Police divers were seen working by the River Wyre on Sunday | |
| Ms Bulley, who worked as a 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. | Ms Bulley, who worked as a 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. | Her dog was found shortly after, along with her phone - still connected to a work conference call - on a bench by a steep riverbank. |
| Police previously said they believed the 45-year-old had gone into the river and that her disappearance was not suspicious. | Police previously said they believed the 45-year-old had gone into the river and that her disappearance was not suspicious. |
| The body was found about a mile from where she was last seen in the small village of St Michael's on Wyre. | The body was found about a mile from where she was last seen in the small village of St Michael's on Wyre. |
| The search drew huge interest, with large numbers of people visiting and filming around the area. | The search drew huge interest, with large numbers of people visiting and filming around the area. |
| It led to police issuing dispersal notices and warnings over anti-social behaviour. | It led to police issuing dispersal notices and warnings over anti-social behaviour. |
| Following various theories spread on social media, her family said public focus had "become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours". | Following various theories spread on social media, her family said public focus had "become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours". |
| Ribbons were tied to the riverside bench near where Ms Bulley disappeared | Ribbons were tied to the riverside bench near where Ms Bulley disappeared |
| Lancashire Police faced a backlash after disclosing Ms Bulley's struggles with the menopause and alcohol, which they said was "to avoid any further speculation". | Lancashire Police faced a backlash after disclosing Ms Bulley's struggles with the menopause and alcohol, which they said was "to avoid any further speculation". |
| It followed comments they had made that she had been categorised as high-risk due to her "specific vulnerabilities". | |
| Ms Bulley's family said they were aware beforehand that police were revealing the details, adding: "Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there speculating and threatening to sell stories about her." | |
| The police's disclosure of her personal details to the public raised widespread concerns, including from the prime minister and home secretary. | |
| Lancashire Police said it would conduct an internal review into its investigation, led by its head of crime Det Ch Supt Pauline Stables. | |
| The local church had lit candles for Nicola since her disappearance in January | |
| A security firm was hired by local residents following concerns about people, including social media influencers, visiting the village - some of whom were said to be peering through windows and trying to open doors. | |
| One influencer was detained and fined after posting that he had been in "people's back gardens at night-time with torches". | |
| Peter Bleksley, a former Scotland Yard detective, told the BBC that the number of people going to the scene would have been "catastrophic for the collection of evidence". | |
| Two people were also arrested after malicious messages were sent to parish councillors in relation to the case. | |
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| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Lancashire Constabulary | Lancashire Constabulary |
| St Michaels on Wyre | St Michaels on Wyre |
| Nicola Bulley disappearance | Nicola Bulley disappearance |