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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Kieran Isgin

Nicola Bulley: Missing mum's partner says she 'vanished into thin air' while witness 'doesn't know anything'

The devastated partner of a missing mum said her disappearance is like an "impossible dream".

It comes after a sought-after witness in the search for Nicola Bulley told police that she "doesn't know anything". The 45-year-old disappeared a week ago while she was walking her pet dog Willow next to the River Wyre in St Michael's, Lancashire.

While the mum-of-two's phone and springer spaniel were found near a bench close to the river, there was no trace of her. Yesterday, Lancashire Police issued a CCTV image of a woman wearing a red coat who they believed could be a crucial witness in the case.

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However, police later confirmed that she had been identified with the witness stating that she had already spoken to the force on the day of Nicola's disappearance. She added that she informed the police that she "doesn't know anything".

Nicola's family have spoken out and said they would do anything to have her back home. Her partner Paul told Sky News: "I don't know how I am coping. I don't want to think about that. I am just focused on the girls."

Paul Ansell said his partner's disappearance is like an "impossible dream" (Sky News)

He added: "It's a week on as yet it seems like we are no further on. It just seems impossible like a dream. Every single scenario comes to a brick wall. Every single one of them. All we are doing is sitting there going round and round and round through each scenario."

Paul also said that the public support for Nicola has been "amazing". He added: "It gives us a great amount of comfort. We're never gonna lose hope, of course, we are not. Right now it's like she vanished into thin air. It's just insane."

Sister Louise Cunningham told Sky News: "Something has got to have been missed. Somebody must know something. People don't just vanish into thin air."

Nicola has been described as white, 5ft 3ins tall, with light brown shoulder-length hair and speaks with an Essex accent. She was last seen wearing a long black gilet jacket with a hood, black jeans and olive-green ankle wellies. Her hair was tied into a ponytail.

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

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