A former detective believes that Nicola Bulley may have 'walked away' to move on with her life. Mark Williams-Thomas also cast doubts on the police's theory that the missing mother is in the river.
Nicola vanished on January 27 after dropping off her two children at school in Lancashire, before taking family dog Willow for a walk on a nearby trail. Lancashire Police are leading the search for the 45-year-old and recently revealed that the 45-year-old had been struggling with alcohol issues relating to the menopause.
As the investigation continues, the force have confirmed that they are still working on the theory that she went into the River Wyre. However, TV star Mark Williams Thomas says his investigations on the ground have lead him to conclude she could have left the scene alive.
He said: "If Nicola returned on the path she came on there's no CCTV. When police say they don't believe she left the area there's no certainty in that.
"She could have left on the same route she came on - I've walked the route and she could easily have disappeared up there without being seen by anybody."
The ex-cop also cast doubt on Nicola being in the river. Mark added: "That is where the major problem is..
"Her body would have had to go round two bends in the river and an area in the middle of the river with undergrowth. And also it would have had to get over the weir and then across rocks and round a bend of 90 degrees.
"Had she got passed the weir chances are the tides would have brought the body back. I think she left this area in one way or another.
"She either left the area further downstream in the water - not at the bench but further downstream where the river is tidal. Or she is still in this area having moved away to move on with life.
"I rule out third party involvement. Whatever happened in Nicola's life there are people out there who can help.
"Is she on land somewhere and hopefully people will find her if that's the case. And of course if she's moved on to get on with her life then she'll have contact with people."
Mark has also called on Nicola's partner, Paul Ansell, and her family to reveal more about her life. He said: "I think he should come out and say, 'yes Nicola's life recently has been difficult - it's been a challenge - but we all have challenges in life - let's focus on finding her'.
"Open his heart and if he opens his heart I think we'll all get behind him."
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