A 'sick' ghost hunting team have defended their 'depraved' investigation into the disappearance of Nicola Bulley following a massive backlash.
Mum-of-two Nicola hasn't been seen since January 27. She was last spotted as she took her dog for a walk after dropping her children off at school in St Michael’s on Wyre in Lancashire.
Police believe she has fallen into the River Wyre but Nicola's family and friends have questioned the theory saying they are yet to see any evidence that points to this. Lancashire Police has rejected suggestions Nicola could have been a victim of crime, but the force said they are investigating every line of inquiry that comes to them.
READ MORE: Police issue Nicola Bulley search update as focus moves towards coast
Since her disappearance, several ghost hunting and paranormal groups have taken it upon themselves to investigate, with some even searching the area. On Monday, ghost hunting trio The Real 4S Paranormal posted videos of a live séance across their social media channels, which showed a picture of the missing mum-of-two alongside dozens of creepy dolls.
In the 'horrifying' clip, a member of the team asks the so-called haunted toys 'who took this lady, spirit?', while asking them to show if she is 'still alive' by lighting up a spirit box. Tracey-Ann Clifford, who is founder of The Real 4S Paranormal group, claimed it was a spirit's fault for 'sending their medium visions'.
She even shrugged off outrage from the public by saying others 'in the field' are simply demanding answers. The group's inconsiderate post shows a birds-eye view of an abandoned house near the scene - before asking if the police 'need to go back' there.
Later in the video, one of the women declares she 'thinks it was arranged' and asks 'is she in woods?'. Other questions included 'Was there more than one person that took her?' and 'Can you tell us if she's passed away, spirits?'.
The 'insensitive' footage has now been slammed by married ghosthunters Lee Steer, 36, and his wife Linzi Steer, 53 - who claim they were 'disgusted' when they saw the other team's actions. Group founder Tracey-Ann Clifford defended the séance by claiming a 'spirit' sent them signs.
Tracey-Ann said: "We didn’t expect these to get shared out like it has. We [didn't] do this sort of investigation, until now. We didn’t [hashtag] her name or missing person and you can tell Ghost of Britain we are not interested in likes and views.
"[The] spirit is attached to a doll. One of my spirits at my house had sent visions to our medium (which you can see all our chat about it on our clips as we don’t hide anything).
"We thought it was strange that a spirit had done this so we decided to do a live to find out information and people were telling us their thoughts on this. We were unsure who the man was as the spirit only showed the back view to her.
"Ghost of Britain had put a post up [about] us and their little minions came over and helped share us out. But please feel free to look through the posts we made as we have nothing to hide.
"And all this is because a spirit showed visions but it seems funny how another medium was shown same man. We weren’t trying to be disrespectful as one of my posts does state, as I said, we have never done anything like this before.
"I don’t know what else to tell you but I think a lot of people in this field are trying to get answers."
Linzi and Lee from Ghosts of Britain were ouraged by what they saw from a fellow paranormal team and condemned the behaviour on their own page. Linzi, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, said: "This poor lady hasn't even been missing a fortnight yet.
"We don't know if she's dead or alive. It's absolutely terrible. I'm sick to my stomach that they would do that. I saw it and said to [my husband] Lee 'what the hell?'.
"This woman who says she's a medium is sitting in a room full of doll and basically saying the dolls have information of where Nicola is. I was disgusted.
"If she's a medium, why the hell has she posted it all over Facebook and TikTok? This poor lady's family - her children - could grow up on social media.
"I thought this is so wrong. It's disgusting. There's no way we would ever do anything like that.
"No doubt mediums have gone down to the place but to post this on Facebook for views - do it in private. It's obvious what they're doing it for, just to get views. They're not helping with the enquiry at all - they're not helping anyone."
Across social media, shocked views also branded the clips 'horrific' and accusing them of treating Nicola's disappearance 'like some Netflix series'. One follower said: "Some will do horrific things to get viewers."
Another user said: "Yes I saw this - absolutely disgusting. They had turned comments off so couldn't put what I wanted to." A concerned viewer said: "This is so disgusting and disrespectful her poor family and friends.
"I hope and prey she is found safe." While another paranormal fan added: "This is very sick."
On Wednesday a team of specialist underwater searchers who were checking the water close to where Nicola went missing called off their operation. In an update on Thursday lunchtime, Lancashire Police said the focus of the search has now moved further downstream.
A spokesperson said: "Our investigation to the disappearance of Nicola Bulley is continuing and we continue to search areas of the River Wyre and surrounding area. People may have seen less police activity today than previously in the area of the river above the weir but that is not because we have stepped down our searches, it is because the focus of the search has moved further downstream into the area of the river which becomes tidal and then out towards the sea."
Police also said dispersal orders were issued against individuals on Wednesday night. It comes after reports that a group had travelled to the area to search an 'abandoned' house. A police spokesperson added: "We can confirm a dispersal order was issued around 8.40pm yesterday (Wednesday, February 8) in St Michael’s on Wyre.
"This followed reports of individuals – from outside the area of St Michael’s - filming on social media close to properties. The order will remain in place for 48 hours and gives officers the power to disperse anyone committing anti-social behaviour.
"Two dispersal notices were issued, and a number of other people were warned about their behaviour. We hope that will give people some reassurance that we will not tolerate criminality, including trespass and criminal damage.
"We are also aware of a number of grossly offensive comments being made on social media and elsewhere. We are looking into these and will not hesitate to take action where appropriate."
Anyone with information which could assist our investigation should call us on 101 quoting log 0565 of January 30th. For immediate sightings please call 999.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Coleen Campbell formed alliance with ex-husband's rival before former spouse was subjected to 'extraordinary act of barbarism', jury told
- Street closed off by police after suspect dies following 'stabbing'
- Councillor says lots of NHS staff are 'carrying a bit of weight'
- Inside Manchester's giant 'tent' providing amazing views of the city
- 'Blind as a bat' drunk driver ended the life of much-loved young man in horror crash after all-day boozing session
