“We can let you rest now”: Devastating development in missing Nicola Bulley case
Police in the United Kingdom have confirmed that a body found in a cluster of weeds by the River Wyre has been identified as missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley.
Nicola was last seen in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, just after 9am on January 27. Her body was discovered just over a kilometre from where she disappeared.
Nicola was walking her dog along the river after dropping her children off at school when she failed to return. Her mobile phone was found on a bench, still connected to a conference call for work, and her dog - a springer spaniel named Willow - was nearby.
“We were called today at 11.36am to reports of a body in the River Wyre, close to Rawcliffe Road," local police reported. "An underwater search team and specialist officers have subsequently attended the scene, entered the water and have sadly recovered a body."
Formal identification was required before it could be confirmed that it was Nicola's body, with police announcing the process was complete and the confirmation made at a press conference on Monday.
“Sadly, we are now able to confirm that yesterday we recovered Nicola Bulley from the River Wyre,” Lancashire Police's Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said.
"Nicola’s family have been informed and are, of course, devastated. Our thoughts are with them at this time, as well as with all her loved ones and the wider community.
"We recognise the huge impact that Nicola’s disappearance has had on her family and friends, but also on the people of St Michael’s.
"We would like to thank all of those who have helped during what has been a hugely complex and highly emotional investigation.
"Today’s development is not the outcome any of us would have wanted, but we hope that it can at least start to provide some answers for Nicola’s loved ones, who remain foremost in our thoughts.”
Assistant Chief Constable Lawson added that the case was now being handled by HM Coroner, and that the cause of her death is being treated as unexplained.
In the wake of the tragic news breaking, Nicola’s family also issued a statement and emotional tribute for their late loved one.
“Finally, Nikki, you are no longer a missing person, you have been found. We can let you rest now,” they said.
“We will never be able to comprehend what Nikki had gone through in her last moments and that will never leave us.
“We will never forget Nikki - how could we? - she was the centre of our world, she was the one who made our lives so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that.
“Our girls will get the support they need from the people who love them the most.”
Images: Getty