Nicola Bulley's partner has visited the search scene - with the mum-of-two having been missing for 13 days.
Paul Ansell has been snapped being briefed by police and dive expert Peter Faulding as he looked out across the River Wyre at the point where investigators believe his long-term girlfriend fell in.
Underwater forensics chief Mr Faulding told the dad "she's not here" as the group stood on the spot where Nicola was last seen.
The 45-year-old vanished on January 27 after dropping off her two children at school in St Michael's, Lancashire, before taking family dog Willow for a walk on a nearby trail.
However, her phone was later found on a bench, with the springer spaniel wandering nearby without her harness.
Paul, 44, is understood to have been contacted by another dog walker who came across the scene on the morning of the disappearance.
He then rushed over and called the police.
The dad has put out a number of appeals, on TV and through the police in recent days.
On Monday, he said he and everyone close to Nicola needs to know what happened to her.
He added that Nicola's daughters "miss their mummy desperately" and have been going through "a tough time" since her disappearance.
Paul has been asked by forensic underwater search chief Mr Faulding whether his missing partner had any "enemies or stalkers" amid fears she could have been abducted.
Specialist Group International (SGI) were drafted in earlier this week to help the river search with their high tech sonar equipment.
Firm founder Mr Faulding told the Mirror his team would find Nicola almost immediately if she fell in the river at the point by the bench.
However, with still no sign of her, he believes she may well have been abducted.
He said he called Paul on Monday night to update him on SGI's first day.
Mr Faulding said the dad was "distraught".
Speaking yesterday, he said: "I spoke to Paul last night and asked him if she had any enemies, any stalkers, the normal questions you would ask.
"And nothing, he said no. And she was totally normal that day when she left, nothing out the ordinary."
Paul has previously been out as part of volunteer searches, including reportedly searching an abandoned property.
A family friend told the Mirror he also attended a meeting on Sunday, January 29 - two days after Nicola's disappearance - at the village hall.
Those in attendance then launched two separate search teams.
With no sign of Nicola, Mr Faulding believes more than ever that a third party could be involved.
He has admitted the case has baffled him, telling LBC "she's just disappeared like she's been taken by aliens".
He told Good Morning Britain: "I personally think if I rule this stretch of river out today where we're working I don't think she's here, I think there's probably a third party involved."
However, Lancashire Police have ruled out foul play, with Superintendent Sally Riley yesterday playing down Mr Faulding's theories.
Asked about Mr Faulding's comments at a press briefing, Supt Riley said: "I thank SGI for the help they've given to the team.
"Our search has not found Nicola in the river and any re-search done in parts by SGI found the same.
"That does not mean that Nicola has not been in the river. And in light of other enquiries being discounted from the investigation so far - although we are keeping an open mind to anything new - then clearly our main belief is that Nicola did fall into the river.
"Clearly Mr Faulding isn't included in all the investigation detail anymore than the members of the public are that I'm briefing through these sorts of press conferences.
"We would ask that we be allowed time to continue with those enquiries and release to the public only what is relevant."
