Nicola Bulley latest — Former police officer says search teams ‘faced poor visibility and challenging conditions’
SEARCH teams in the Nicola Bulley investigation did the best job they could in challenging conditions and will be "gutted" she was not found sooner, a former police officer has said.
Former cop Graham Wettone said that conditions in the River Wyre would have been challenging and 's body would have moved during the time she was in the water.
He said he has spoken to underwater search experts who were supportive of what police and fire and rescue teams in did.
The veteran former Metropolitan Police officer, who was in the force for 30 years, said: "That was a really difficult search.
"Really challenging conditions, you wouldn't have been able to see much when you were underwater with the air tanks on, you'd have been almost doing it by touch, by feel. So it's a really challenging searching environment. And it's tidal, so it goes backwards and forwards. There'll be channels and crevices and gaps in the riverbank as you go along where things can get lodged."
Read our Nicola Bulley blog below for the latest updates...
Will cops be investigated over their previous contact with Nicola Bulley?
Five days ago Lancashire Police confirmed they had referred themselves to the cop watchdog.
It came after officers revealed they were called to Nicola's family home just weeks before she vanished.
The police said they rushed to her home on January 10 after "a report of concern for welfare".
An IOPC said on February 16: "Lancashire Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the contact the force had with missing mother Nicola Bulley on January 10, prior to her disappearance."
The IOPC is yet to give another update.
TikTok says it will 'take action' against social media
Social media platform TikTok has said it will "take action" against the online ghouls who became involved in the search for Nicola Bulley.
Responding to the criticism against its users, TikTok said in a statement: “Our thoughts are with Ms Bulley’s family and friends at this difficult time. We have mobilised resources to monitor the evolving conversation about this case.
“We are taking action against violations of our Community Guidelines, including removing content and accounts, and limiting the reach of some content by making it ineligible for recommendation.”
Nicola Bulley case had a ‘huge impact’ on St Michael’s residents, police claim
Police have said the town Nicola Bulley lived in has been deeply impacted by the intense search that took place for the mum-of-two.
St Michael’s residents played a crucial role in spreading the word of Nicola’s disappearance.
But locals were also impacted by the public attempting to gain access to the town throughout the investigation.
What was Nicola's cause of death?
Cops confirmed last night that the mum-of-two's death had been referred to the coroner.
This could mean police and her loved ones face weeks waiting for answers around how she died.
There is also the possibility an inquest into her death will follow, which could extend the process even further.
The says an inquest is an investigation into a death which appears to be due to "unknown, violent or unnatural causes".
How long had the body been there?
Police are now facing growing fury after the mum-of-two's body was found just a mile from where she vanished - but 24 days later.
The secretary of the Civil Service Angling Society, which manages the stretch of the Wyre downstream of St Michael’s, said large objects like tyres were often found in the spot Nicola's body was located.
The man, who did not want to be named, said the area had been searched by police boats, divers and sniffer dogs in the early days of the investigation.
The secretary told : “Around that stretch there are sandbanks, overhanging trees and quite a lot of vegetation.
“The bank is also quite undercut in places. Anything that ends up in the river around there tends to hang around because unless there’s a major weather event there’s not enough flow to wash it out to sea.”
Family’s final message to missing mum
In a statement read by police, the family of Nicola Bulley said: ” Finally, Nikki, you are no longer a missing person, you have been found, we can let you rest now.
“We love you, always have and always will, we’ll take it from here xx”
Family ‘face weeks’ waiting for answers
Nicola's heartbroken family could face weeks of waiting for answers around the mum's death.
As Nicola's death has been referred to the coroner, her loved ones could be waiting weeks for any answers.
There is also the possibility an inquest will follow, which could extend the process even further.
According to the , a post mortem is usually carried out within two-three days after someone dies.
However, some further examinations may be needed - which can "take several weeks to complete".
Full statement by police as Nicola Bulley’s death is confirmed
Police said: “Sadly, we are now able to confirm that yesterday we recovered Nicola Bulley from the River Wyre.
“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.
“The case is now being handled by HM Coroner.”
Family remembers ‘centre of world’ Nicola Bulley
In a statement released yesterday, Nicola Bulley’s family said they will “never forget” Nicola Bulley who was the “centre of their world.”
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.”
Who claims to have found Nicola Bulley's body?
Jason Rothwell is a psychic medium from Oldham, Greater Manchester.
He claims to have helped police recover the remains from the river Wyre less than a mile away from where the missing mum was last seen.
Rothwell was pictured on February 19, 2023, pointing towards the reeds where he made the discovery.
The psychic said: "As has obviously become apparent, yes it is myself in the images in the media currently circulating relating to the case of Nicola Bulley and yes, yesterday morning it was myself and a friend who reported and assisted the police in the recovery of a body from the river Wyre."
Nicola's sister shares poignant tribute
This morning Nicola's sister Louise Cunningham uploaded a simple tribute.
It was merely a yellow heart - which has become a symbol of Nicola on social media.
Louise's poignant post came after Nicola's pal Emma White typed a heartwrenching message.
She said that after after "24 days of hope and efforts to bring Nikki home" they were given the news that nobody wanted.
Where was Nicola Bulley’s body found?
A map has revealed the exact spot police found Nicola Bulley’s body.
The remains were spotted Sunday morning by dog walkers who frantically phoned police – sparking a massive response.
Cops confirmed that a body had been found in the River Wyre, Lancashire.
And this yesterday, police confirmed the body belonged to Nicola Bulley.
Keir Starmer pays tribute to Nicola Bulley
Labour leader Keir Starmer has paid tribute to Nicola Bulley and her family.
This comes after police confirmed the mother-of-two had died.
“My heart goes out to Nicola’s partner, children, family and friends,” he said.
TikTok full statement after social media slammed
A spokesperson for said: "Our thoughts are with Ms Bulley's family and friends at this difficult time. We have mobilised resources to monitor the evolving conversation about this case.
"We are taking action against violations of our Community Guidelines, including removing content and accounts, and limiting the reach of some content by making it ineligible for recommendation."
It comes after Nicola's family reacted to the tragic news of her death in a statement released via cops.
Cops face growing fury
The desperate hunt ended in tragedy as police confirmed a body - found by dog walkers on Sunday afternoon - was that of Nicola.
Now, pressure is mounting for an independent inquiry into Lancashire Police's handling of Nicola's disappearance.
Former DCI Martyn Underhill said the police have serious questions to answer about its media strategy and search of the river.
He : "These are crucial issues that go to public confidence. I may well be totally wrong and Lancashire might be completely vindicated.
"But I have never known a force to be so reluctant to seek external help — the Met and other forces all offered. The home secretary must get to the bottom of it."
Where was Nicola Bulley’s body found?
A map has revealed the location where police found Nicola Bulley’s body.
The remains were spotted yesterday morning by dog walkers who frantically phoned police – sparking a massive response.
Cops confirmed in the afternoon that a body had been found in the River Wyre, Lancashire.
And yesterday, police confirmed the body belonged to Nicola Bulley.
Expert diver claims he 'will not be the fall guy'
Peter Faulding has hit back at critics vowing: "I will not be the fall guy."
The diving expert was drafted in by missing Nicola Bulley's distraught family to help in the search.
Mr Faulding defended his involvement and told The Sun he was tasked with searching the water - not the reeds where Nicola was found.
He said: "I don't see why the police aren't getting any stick?
"I don't want to take the hammering, it's totally unfair.
"Our remit was to search the bottom of the river, not the reeds. The police also had a sonar scanner of their own."
He added: "I'm not going to be the fall guy for this."
Latest as police confirm Nicola Bulley’s death
- Police confirmed that Nicola’s body had been found in the River Wyre
- Nicola’s family said that they’ll never be able to “forget” the tragedy
- A ‘psychic’ claimed that he found the body during the search
- The Home Secretary was reported to be “not satisfied” over cop’s explanation of why they released information on Nicola’s “vulnerabilities”
- Dive expert Peter Faulding said “I did my best” in the search for the mum-of-two
- An ex-cop said that the body may have been “weighed down” before it was found
In pictures: The search for Nicola Bulley
When did Nicola Bulley go missing?
Nicola began her walk along the towpath to the River Wyre at 8.43am after dropping her two children off at school.
Police say around seven minutes later, a dog walker who knows Nicola saw her walking around the lower field with her springer spaniel Willow.
The witness said their two dogs interacted briefly before she left Nicola via the river path.
At 8.53am, the mum sent an email to her boss at Exclusively Mortgages.
She then logged into a Teams call at 9.01am and was seen around nine minutes later on the upper field walking Willow.
Police say at 9.30am, the work call ended but Nicola stayed logged on.
At around 9.35am, the mobile and Willow were found at a bench by the river but there was no sign of Nicola.
Yesterday, police confirmed Nicola’s body had been found a mile from where she vanished.
Family remembers ‘centre of world’ Nicola Bulley
In a statement yesterday afternoon, Nicola Bulley’s family said they will “never forget” Nicola Bulley who was the “centre of their world.”
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.”
Nicola Bulley case had a ‘huge impact’ on St Michael’s residents, police claim
Police have said the town Nicola Bulley lived in has been deeply impacted by the intense search that took place for the mum-of-two.
St Michael’s residents played a crucial role in spreading the word of Nicola’s disappearance.
But locals were also impacted by the public attempting to gain access to the town throughout the investigation.
Full statement by police as Nicola Bulley’s death is confirmed
Police said on Monday: “Sadly, we are now able to confirm that yesterday we recovered Nicola Bulley from the River Wyre.
“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.
“The case is now being handled by HM Coroner.”
Sir Keir Starmer pays tribute to Nicola Bulley
Labour leader Keir Starmer has paid tribute to Nicola Bulley and her family.
This comes after police confirmed the mother-of-two had died.
“My heart goes out to Nicola’s partner, children, family and friends,” he said.
What has Nicola Bulley’s family said?
Following the heartbreaking revelation that Nicola Bulley’s body has been found by police, her family released a statement.
The statement read by police 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.”
Nicola’s family added: “Finally, Nikki, you are no longer a missing person, you have been found, we can let you rest now.
“We love you, always have and always will, we’ll take it from here xx.”