Dive expert reveals why he fears missing Nicola Bulley may ‘never be found’ after pulling out of desperate search

A DIVE expert involved in the search for missing mum Nicola Bulley has issued a heartbreaking update in the case.

Peter Faulding said that Nicola is not in the river near where she went missing and "may never be found".

He said: "She may never be found. We don't know. No one knows. It is unusual because usually you have some evidence.

"Here we have nothing. We have nothing to go on apart from a phone and a [dog] harness."

Mr Faulding reportedly told Nicola's partner Paul Ansell of his findings yesterday as they visited the site where she is believed to have gone missing.

The underwater specialist was called in to assist police divers, who have been searching the area since the mum-of-two's disappearance almost two weeks ago.

However, he confirmed that his team will not continue with the search as cops focus their search downstream towards the sea.

He added that he had been "determined" to find Nicola, but that both he and Mr Ansell were "relieved" that he hadn't.

She may never be found."

Peter Faulding

Members of the public have joined the search effort, but Lancashire Police have warned amateur sleuths not to "take the law into their own hands".

Superintendent Sally Riley said: "It is not helpful if people, particularly if they come from outside the area, take it upon themselves to take the law into their own hands.

"We will not tolerate online abuse of anyone, including innocent witnesses, members of the family and friends, of local businesses, or of criminal damage or burglary."

What do we know so far?

Nicola Bulley vanished while walking near St Michael's on Wyre, , on January 27.

Cops believe that she fell into the river as she walked her springer spaniel Willow.

At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a long black gilet jacket with a hood and had her hair tied in a ponytail.

She had black jeans on with olive green ankle wellies.

Nicola's phone and the dog's lead were found on a bench nearby.

She was last seen at 9.10am that morning.

Supt Riley confirmed there is a ten minute window where they cannot account for Nicola's movements, amid fears she left the path in a CCTV blackspot.

This is between the last confirmed sighting at 9.10am, and 9.20am when Nicola's phone was connected to a work call on the bench.

The Sun Online has produced a full timeline of the case with every detail available.