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...
Where was Nicola Bulley’s body found?
A map has revealed the exact spot 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 this afternoon, police confirmed the body belonged to Nicola Bulley.
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
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”
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.
Today, police confirmed Nicola's body had been found a mile from where she vanished.
Family remembers ‘centre of world’ Nicola Bulley
In a statement this 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 today: “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.”
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."
Where was Nicola Bulley's body found?
A map has revealed the exact spot 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 this afternoon, police confirmed the body belonged to Nicola Bulley.
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
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”
Nicola's daughters will 'get the support they need'
In a statement via Lancashire Police, the family said that their "worst fears" had been confirmed and thanked their friends and local community in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, for supporting them.
They said: "To those that genuinely helped and supported us, privately, we thank you.
"The community support in St Michael’s, friends, neighbours and strangers, has been nothing short of comforting and heartwarming.
"Friends you know who you are, thank you."
When was Nicola's body discovered?
The body of Nicola Bulley was discovered on Sunday around a mile from where she was last scene.
Police did not identify the remains until 5:30pm today when they confirmed the mother-of-two's death.
Nicola Bulley case 'hugely complex and highly emotional investigation,' say cops
In a statement given today, police confirmed the death of missing mum-of-two Nicola Bulley.
Cops described the case as "hugely complex and highly emotional investigation."
Family remembers 'centre of world' Nicola Bulley
In a statement this 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."
Full statement by police as Nicola Bulley's death is confirmed
Police said today: "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."
Nicola Bulley's family thanks locals for their support
During today's press conference, a statement from Nicola Bulley's family saw them thank their local community.
The statement said: "The community support in St Michael's, friends', neighbours and strangers has been nothing short of comforting and heart-warming.
"Friends, you know who you are. Thank you"
Family will 'never forget' Nicola Bulley
In a statement shared after police confirmed Nicola Bulley's body had been found, her family said they would "never forget" the mum of two.
The statement read: "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 Bulley's 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 share statement after Nicola Bulley's death is confirmed
The family have said they will "never forget" Nicola Bulley who was the "centre" of their world.
The family added they will "never comprehend" what happened to the missing mum.
Police confirm body confirms body belonged to Nicola
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson has confirmed the body found yesterday belonged to Nicola Bulley.
Her family are "devastated", the police officer said.
PM refuses to comment on Lancashire Police review
Rishi Sunak has refused to comment on the internal review of the Lancashire Police's search for Nicola Bulley.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "You have heard the concerns of the Prime Minister before.
"He welcomed the fact there was an internal investigation, I think the first step is to allow that to take place and see what the findings are, so I am not going to comment before that.
"We think it is appropriate that this investigation is taking place. We will wait and see what the findings of that are before commenting further on the investigation, given it is a live case."
Press conference to begin soon
Lancashire Police will hold a press conference in the next 15 minutes.
Earlier today, authorities said they will need more time to ID the body found near the site Nicola Bulley vanished.
Live updates will be posted here.