Nicola Bulley's family have released a statement following the confirmation by police that the mum of two's body was found in the River Wyre on Sunday. Ms Bulley, 45, went missing while walking her dog in the village of St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire on January 27, having dropped both her daughters at school.
On Sunday morning, officers were called to reports of a body in the water. It was later confirmed that a body had been pulled from the River Wyre near to where Ms Bulley went missing.
In a statement, the family took aim at the "shameful" actions of some media outlets and their treatment of them during the investigation.
They said: "We will never be able to comprehend what Nikki had gone through in her last moments and that will never leave us.
"We will never forget Nikki, how could we, she was the centre of our world, she was the one who made our lives so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that.
"Our girls will get the support they need from the people who love them the most.
"And it saddens us to think that one day we will have to explain to them that the press and members of the public accused their dad of wrongdoing, misquoted and vilified friends and family. This is absolutely appalling, they have to be held accountable this cannot happen to another family.
"We tried last night to take in what we had been told in the day, only to have Sky News and ITV making contact with us directly when we expressly asked for privacy. They again, have taken it upon themselves to run stories about us to sell papers and increase their own profiles. It is shameful they have acted in this way. Leave us alone now."
They continued: "Do the press and other media channels and so called professionals not know when to stop? These are our lives and our children's lives.
"To those who genuinely helped and supported us, privately, we thank you. The community support in St Michael's, friends', neighbours and strangers has been nothing short of comforting and heart-warming. Friends you know who you are. Thank you.
"Our hearts truly break for others who have missing loved ones. Keep that hope alive.
"Finally, Nikki, you are no longer a missing person, you have been found, we can let you rest now.
"We love you, always have and always will, we'll take it from here."
