A friend of missing mum Nicola Bulley has slammed the suggestion that her partner was involved in her disappearance as "disgusting".
Amateur sleuths have filled Facebook groups and forums since the 45-year-old vanished, coming up with their own wild theories - often completely misplaced and upsetting to the family.
One such line of thinking among the keyboard warriors is that long-time boyfriend Paul Ansell was involved.
Nicola had dropped the couple's children off at school in St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire, on January 27 before going on a walk with springer spaniel Willow.
Her phone was later found on a bench along a river towpath, with the dog wandering nearby without its lead or harness.
A major police search has since been launched, with police working mainly along the hypothesis that the mum accidentally fell into the water.
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However, they admit there is no clear evidence of this - but investigators do not believe a third party was involved.
Nicola's friend Tilly Ann posted on Facebook - with the family's permission - in an effort to dispel some of the rumours being spread.
She said: "Paul and Nikki both mostly work from home which is why he was at home that day.
"They have CCTV and there is a reason why Paul has never been a suspect.
"Family and friends need these accusations to stop immediately. The fact that I've had to write this is disgusting to be honest."
Paul released another heartfelt plea over the weekend as the search for continues.
He said the family needs a "happy ending to this nightmare".
Paul added: "The agony continues but the hope is stronger than ever of finding you."
Surrey-based SGI's ‘top of the market’ 18,000khz side scan sonar was launched from the suspected entry point at around 11.30am after the team was briefed by police.
Team founder Peter Faulding had flown a helicopter over the stretch of river down to the estuary to get a better understanding of the location.
He told the Mirror the sonar would likely pick up a body within minutes if it is in the immediate stretch of river next to wear Nicola's phone was found.
“If Nicola is in there, we will find her. If she’s there, our sonar will pick her up straight away," he said.
“I will see a body on the bottom. We are dealing with about 10 drownings every summer. We always locate within the hour. It’s that quick, it’s that good.
“Nicola wouldn’t have gone far if she was in this river because it’s got shallows and she would get lodged. There’s no way she would have gone out to the estuary.
"The river’s not in flood, it’s benign.”
