Body found in search for Nicola Bulley in Lancashire
The discovery was made in the River Wyre at 11.36am this morning
Last updated 16th Feb 2024
Police looking for missing mum of two Nicola Bulley say they have recovered a body near the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire.
Detectives have confirmed they were called to an area near Rawcliffe Road at 11.36am this morning.
They say formal identification has not taken place yet and they're treating the death as unexplained.
The 45-year-old mortgage adviser vanished in St Michael’s on Wyre while walking her dog after dropping her daughters, aged six and nine, at school on January 27.
You can read their full statement below.
Lancashire Police statement
Heres the statement from Lancashire Police in full:
This morning, Sunday, 19 February, you may be aware of police activity around the river near to St Michaels. We want to provide you with an update on that activity.
We were called today at 11:36am to reports of a body in the River Wyre, close to Rawcliffe Road.
An underwater search team and specialist officers have subsequently attended the scene, entered the water and have sadly recovered a body.
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 on-going.
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.
We'll update this story with more as we get it.
The timeline of Nicola Bulley's disappearance
A timeline of Nicola Bulley's last known movements has been released by Lancashire Police:
8.43am: Ms Bulley walked along the path by the River Wyre, having dropped her children off at school.
Around 8.50am: A dogwalker who knows Ms Bulley saw her walking around the lower field with her dog. Their two dogs interacted briefly before the witness left the field via the river path.
8.53am: Ms Bulley sent an email to her boss.
9.01am: She logged into a Teams call.
Around 9.10am: Somebody who knows Ms Bulley saw her on the upper field walking her dog, Willow. Lancashire Police say they are trying to establish exactly what time this was.
9.30am: The Teams call ended but Ms Bulley stayed logged on.
Around 9.35am: Her mobile phone and dog were found at a bench by the river by another dogwalker.