My dad vanished 10 years ago just like Nicola Bulley – the cops are failing her family like they did mine
THE daughter of a man who vanished without a trace ten years ago has revealed their heartache seeing Nicola Bulley’s family go through the same agony.
Nicola, 45, disappeared after dropping her children off at school in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on Friday January 27.
Since then there has been no trace of the mum-of-two, leaving her family in agony.
Similarly Robert Duff, then aged 37, was on the way to his daughter Stephanie’s 18th birthday party when he vanished into thin air in 2013.
Cops believe he may have been killed that same night after getting into a fight – but his body has never been found.
Now his daughter has given an insight into what Nicola’s family is going through.
Stephanie told The Sun: “I completely feel for them and just makes me think back to when my own dad vanished and how I was feeling.
“When your family member has been gone for ten days your hope begins to turn to fear.
“My dad’s case was just so dead-ended – I just hope for her family it’s not the same with her case.
“She’s a mum-of-two daughters – my dad was a dad-of-two daughters.
“I just remember exactly how I felt ten days into my dad’s disappearance and I just am devasted for her daughters.
“It just such a dreaded feeling. But I know like me and my sister that no matter what happens her family will never be able to give up hope. The hope is what you keep going.”
Robert has not been seen since January 12, 2013 when he was withdrawing money on Holloway Road, North London.
His concerned family contacted police when he did not arrive at Stephanie’s party as they said his disappearance was “completely out of character”. Officers attended his flat and forced entry, but there was no sign of him.
A murder investigation was formally launched by police after an appeal brought new information to light in 2018 and two people were arrested and released under investigation.
His disappearance was treated as a missing persons inquiry until 2018, when a new witness came forward following a television appeal.
In 2020 specialist divers searched Highgate No 1 Pond on Hampstead Heath, but nothing was found.
‘IT’S DEVASTATING’
Now Stephanie says she believe her family was failed by the cops – and that Nicola’s family may be too.
She explained: “Unfortunately with my dad when he went missing we didn’t get the publicity in the same way so it is a good thing that Nicola’s story is well out there and in the public eye.
“Maybe that will mean they end up with a better result than we did.
“On the other hand it feels like the police are failing her family just like they failed us.
“Her family know her better than anyone else – the police should be taking everything that they think into consideration.
“I think the police should have a better system in place so they launch straight into action immediately.
“They failed us miserably and its so hard to just sit back and see them failing other families.
“We believe we would have found our dad if the police had acted quicker. I hope it doesn’t end up the same way with Nicola.”
It feels like the police are failing Nicola’s family just like they failed us
Stephanie Duff
It comes after a forensic expert labelled Nicola’s investigation “a mess” as crucial evidence may have been missed.
The cops said in recent days their “main working hypothesis” was that Nicola had “sadly fallen” into the icy River Wyre.
However, they revealed there was “no evidence of a slip or a fall“.
And this theory was slammed by Nicola’s sister Louise Cunningham and friend Emma White.
Stephanie believes Nicola’s family need to keep pushing the police to investigate every lead.
She said: “My only advice and hope for the family is that they do keep on pressing the police and make sure everything is being done.
“When the cops failed us, I took investigating into my own hands.
“Nicola’s family need to do the same – they need to check that the police have checked everything.
“I really do hope she is found safe and well.”
