Nicola Bulley search: LIVE updates as search for missing mum who vanished in St Michael's continues
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Lancashire Police said officers are keeping an “open mind” while continuing to appeal for information about Nicola, who disappeared on January 27. The force is continuing to search the River Wyre towards the sea at Morecambe Bay, working on one hypothesis that the 45-year-old, from Inskip could have fallen in.
Their 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.
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Hide AdHer partner, Paul Ansell said he wants to keep “all options open” about her disappearance, but his “gut instinct” tells him she is not in the river.
We will bring you the latest updates, pictures, videos and interviews in our live blog below...
Nicola Bulley search live: The latest updates from police, search teams and family in search for missing mum
Key Events
- Nicola has now been missing for more than two weeks after disappearing on Friday, January 27
- Partner Paul Ansell appears on TV in emotional interview with Dan Walker
- Police clarify “tatty red van” seen in the area at time of disappearance
Police issue dispersal order to group who travelled to St Michael’s to search for Nicola
Last night, Lancashire Police issued a dispersal order to a group of men who travelled from the Liverpool area to search for Nicola in an abandoned house by the River Wyre.
Specialist underwater search called off
The SGI underwater search team, led by expert forensic diver Peter Faulding, has called off its search for Nicola.
Mr Faulding said his team had completed “an extensive and thorough search” along sections of the River Wyre, but was unable to find any trace of the missing mum.
“Although all tangible leads suggest the river, her whereabouts still remain unknown,” he said.
Underwater search expert Paul Faulding, who has been helping in the search for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley.“I’m totally baffled by this one, to be honest. Normally a drowning victim goes to the bottom. There was a bit of flow on the river that day. But normally we recover them within a few metres.”
Anybody who has seen Nicola, or has information about where she might be, is asked to call 101, quoting log 565 of January 30.
For immediate sightings call 999
Peter Faulding “baffled” by Ms Bulley’s disappearance
Mr Faulding said he was “baffled” by the disappearance of the mortgage advisor, who vanished on January 27 after dropping her two daughters – aged six and nine – at school, then taking her springer spaniel Willow for a walk along the river.
Ms Bulley’s phone was left on the bench near the river, still connected to a work call, with the dog lead and harness found close by.
Mr Faulding and his team, from rescue operation Specialist Group International, have been searching the area around the bench, the “entry point” where it is believed by police Ms Bulley fell in the water.
But on the third day of his search, Mr Faulding said efforts had proved “negative”.
Underwater forensic expert Peter Faulding calls off private river search
Peter Faulding, an underwater search expert, was called in by the family to help with the investigation following Ms Bulley’s disappearance on Friday (January 27).
After arriving in St Michael’s on Wyre in the early hours of Monday morning (February 6), his private diving team – Specialist Group International – scoured the River Wyre where police believe Nicola fell in.
On Wednesday (February 8), Mr Faulding – who previously said he did not think the missing mother was in the water – confirmed the private search would be called off after one last area was examined.
Nicola’s partner Paul Ansell and her close friend Emma White visit spot where police believe she fell in the River Wyre
Nicola’s partner visits spot where police believe she fell into river
Nicola’s partner Paul Ansell spent 10 minutes on the riverbank near the bench where her phone and their dog Willow were found on the morning she disappeared.
He spoke with Peter Faulding, the underwater search expert called in by the family to help with the search.
Mr Faulding appeared to be taking him through aspects of his search, now on its third day.