Nicola Bulley’s family ‘braced for worst possible news’ after body found less than a mile from where she vanished

THE family of missing Nicola Bulley are braced for “the worst possible news” after a body was recovered from a river.

It was pulled from the water a mile from where 45-year-old mum-of-two Nicola was last seen three weeks ago in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancs.

Missing Nicola Bulley’s partner said there are “no words right now, just agony” after the discovery of a body.

It was spotted by dog walkers a mile from where Nicola was last seen.

Lancashire Police had carried out extensive searches of the River Wyre in Lancashire and had been desperately trying to defend its investigation.

But in a devastating development a body was spotted in the water yesterday morning.

A huge police response was launched and police were scrambled to the scene as the couple who found her were pictured pointing to the water.

The male appeared ashen-faced as he gestured towards an outcrop of trees and undergrowth along the bank.

He was heard telling police: “It was a body. It’s down there. It was a body of a woman. There is definitely a body down there.”

Officers immediately sealed off a nearby road and a police helicopter hovered overhead.

Reinforcements dashed to cordon off the immediate area as divers entered the water.

Senior investigating officer Det Supt Rebecca Smith arrived as Lancashire Police confirmed the discovery, before forensics tents were erected on the riverbank.

Last night, Nicola’s partner Paul Ansell, 44, and daughters Harriet, nine, and Sophia, six, were being supported by police officers.

Sky News correspondent Inzamam Rashid said he had been in touch with Nicola’s family members, who sent him a string of broken loveheart emojis.

He said they felt agony and heartbreak at the news and in a message Paul had written: “No words right now, just agony.”

Messages of hope taped to a nearby bridge had been removed during the course of the evening and replaced with flowers.

Wyre Council leader Michael Vincent, who has been closely involved in the search for Nicola, told The Sun: “This is absolutely tragic. Nicola’s family and friends have been through hell.

“For three weeks we have all hoped for the best. To hear that a body has been found is truly heartbreaking. I can’t imagine what Nicola’s family and friends must be going through.

“We’re all waiting for official confirmation and if that comes it will be the worst possible news.”

Mortgage adviser Nicola vanished on January 27 after dropping her girls off at school in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancs.

She had been with her dog beside the river.

Her phone was found still connected to a work call. Police maintained their main theory has always been that Nicola, left, had gone into the water. It was thoroughly searched by police teams.

Peter Faulding, of Specialist Group International, then offered his services for free following a plea by Nicola’s family. That was two weeks ago and it is believed the river has not been searched since.

The road was reopened more than four hours after yesterday’s grim discovery, suggesting police do not believe it is a crime scene.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “No formal identification has yet been carried out, so we are unable to say whether this is Nicola Bulley at this time.

“Procedures to identify the body are ongoing. We are currently treating the death as unexplained.

"Nicola’s family have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times. We ask that their privacy is respected.”

It is believed that formal identification could take several days.

A witness who saw the couple who discovered the body talking to police said: “I heard the man talking to police about something in the undergrowth.

“Police cars were flying down the road with the blues and twos going. A police officer pulled up a few minutes later and got his drone out. Five minutes later the police helicopter arrived. Officers then asked me to get out.

Online sleuths continued to speculate that the body had been dumped in that part of the river by a third party because of its close proximity to the road.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who has demanded answers from police after they broadcast Nicola’s alcohol and menopause problems, tweeted: “These are heartbreaking and distressing developments. My thoughts remain with Nicola’s family at this extremely difficult time.”

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden tweeted: “My thoughts are with Nicola’s family and friends.

“I’d like to thank the Lancashire Police officers and staff working on scene and across the force. Please can we see respect and privacy for Nicola’s family and friends and the police as they go about their work.”

Nicola Harris, 62, who walks her dog in the area, said: “At least this could be closure for the family. The thought of her being abducted must have been torture.

“It’s horrendous. It’s been such a complex case but at least now maybe the family can get some answers and have her back.”

Last night, a bunch of daffodils were laid next to a small handful of snowdrops on the bench where Nicola’s mobile phone was found.

Her anguished parents Ernest, 73, and Dot, 72, have previously spoken of their fear of never seeing their daughter again.

Ernest said after her disappearance: “We just dread to think we will never see her again.

“If the worst came to the worst and she was never found, how will we deal with that for the rest of our lives?”

They left a message alongside yellow ribbons tied to a bridge near where she disappeared. It read: “We pray every day for you. Love you. Mum and dad.”