It’s the frontpage news story that has filled every newspaper and WhatsApp group for over three weeks: what happened to Nicola Bulley?
The 45-year-old mother of two vanished after walking her dog next to the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire on 27 January. Police, her family and friends, the media and the rest of the country pored over every detail about her last known movements in a bid to find her and bring her home.
But sad news came today that a body found in the river near to where she disappeared has been identified as Nicola. Her family released the following statement.
Nicola Bulley family statement
Our Family Liaison officers have had to confirm our worst fears today.
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.
And it saddens us to think that one day we will have to explain to them that the press and members of the public accused their dad of wrongdoing, misquoted and vilified friends and family. This is absolutely appalling, they have to be held accountable this cannot happen to another family.
We tried last night to take in what we had been told in the day, only to have Sky News and ITV making contact with us directly when we expressly asked for privacy. They again, have taken it upon themselves to run stories about us to sell papers and increase their own profiles. It is shameful they have acted in this way. Leave us alone now.
Do the press and other media channels and so called professionals not know when to stop? These are our lives and our children's lives.
To those who 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 heart-warming. Friends you know who you are. Thank you.
Our hearts truly break for others who have missing loved ones. Keep that hope alive.
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 💛
Timeline of events
After dropping her daughters at school, Nicola reportedly took her dog for a walk along a nearby river path and field. She sent an email to her boss and logged into a Teams call at 09.01am. Police enquiries suggest her phone was then left on a bench. The Teams call ended but her phone remained logged in. At 09.35 her phone and her dog Willow were found at the riverside bench but she hasn’t been seen since.
A forensic search took place and private divers joined the hunt as police announced they believed she may have fallen into the river.
The story has drawn a lot of attention on social media, with many sharing their speculation publicly. Even the term ‘Nicola Bulley theories’ has been trending on Google, with people pointing out the likeness of the case to a true crime plot. Some criticised the police for not cordoning off the area; others shared their unsolicited deep dive findings into Nicola's background. But Heather Gibbons, one of Nicola’s friends, said ‘vile theories’ being shared online were ‘incredibly hurtful’ for her family, who can read the speculation.
Even since confirmation that her body has been found in the river, people are searching 'Nicola Bulley psychic' and 'Nicola Bulley husband suspicious'. The family even address the pain of this accusation in their statement.
Speculation overlooks the fact real people are involved and currently going through the most traumatic period imaginable. Sharing theories, often based on little evidence, isn’t helpful and will only add to that pain.
Some are even treating the catastrophe as a joke. One woman tweeted that her 20-year-old daughter had sat near a group of men on a train ‘defiantly singing Delilah; making sheep noises; commenting on her appearance and joking about the disappearance of ‘fit’ Nicola Bulley.' What’s more, people who helped the police with their inquiries have been abused and some TikTokers even shared posts titled ‘Nicola Bulley found’, days before a body was found, in an effort to use the situation as an opportunity to go viral.
When it comes to solving a missing person case and being sensitive to a family in anguish, let’s leave the professionals to do their jobs and leave the family in peace.