The search for missing mum Nicola Bulley continues today after police released an image of a potential witness.
The 45-year-old disappeared while walking her dog last Friday morning (January 27) and hasn't been seen since. That morning, after dropping her children at school in St Michael's-on-Wyre, her pet springer spaniel Willow was found close to the River Wyre.
After reportedly being seen 'laughing and joking' moments before she vanished, according to a friend, her mobile phone was found on the ground next to a bench overlooking the water by two fellow dogwalkers. The pair were supposedly unable to unlock the phone so they contacted a friend who called her children's primary school.
Read more: Nicola Bulley spotted 'laughing and joking' moments before she vanished, says friend
Nicola's partner, Paul Ansell, was also contacted. He hurried to the scene before notifying police. After an extended search was carried out by volunteers, emergency services are carrying out underwater searches in the river next to where her phone was found.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service launched a search boat heading downstream towards Fleetwood, while police divers are carrying out the underwater search.
A bunch of pink tulips have been placed on the bench where Nicola's possessions were found. The note reads: "My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and Willow Nicola. Love - a fellow dog-walker.”
A police diver explored the underwater area and a second will soon takeover. Meanwhile, several members of the public as well as photographers and TV crews are also situated near the riverbank.
Appeal for potential witness to come forward
In an update on Thursday afternoon, Lancashire Police released a CCTV image of a woman walking a white dog. It is believed that she was in St-Michael's-on-Wyre when Ms Bulley disappeared. The force highlighted that there was nothing to suggest any thid-party involvement, adding that the woman was sought after as a "witness and nothing more".
The force later confirmed in a tweet that the woman has now come forward.
Supt Sally Riley said: “We know that Nicola going missing has caused a great deal of concern for the wider local community, as well as obviously being an awful time for her family. This remains a missing person inquiry and at this time there is nothing to suggest any third-party involvement in Nicola’s disappearance.
“I appreciate that there are unanswered questions about what has happened to Nicola, but I would urge people not to speculate or spread false rumours. We will share updates when we can, but we must be factual.
“Nicola’s family are being kept up to date with events and are being supported by officers.
“We are really grateful for the community’s help and co-operation so far, but I’d like to stress again parts of the riverbank are treacherous, especially after the recent rain, and we would ask that nobody puts themselves in danger and that the police and partner agencies’ efforts to find Nicola are not compromised.
“We now want to speak to the woman pictured on CCTV as we believe she was walking in the area at around the time Nicola was last seen. If you know her, or believe this may be you, please get in touch. You may not think you know anything but you might have seen something that could be significant.”
Timeline of Nicola Bulley's last known movements
The force said her movements were as follows:
- 8.43am: Ms Bulley walked along the path by the River Wyre, having dropped her children off at school.
- Around 8.50am: A dogwalker who knows Ms Bulley saw her walking around the lower field with her dog. Their two dogs interacted briefly before the witness left the field via the river path.
- 8.53am: Ms Bulley sent an email to her boss.
- 9.01am: She logged into a Teams call.
- Around 9.10am: Somebody who knows Ms Bulley saw her on the upper field walking her dog, Willow. Lancashire Police say they are trying to establish exactly what time this was.
- 9.30am: The Teams call ended but Ms Bulley stayed logged on.
- Around 9.35am: Her mobile phone and dog were found at a bench by the river by another dogwalker.
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