Nicola Bulley's disappearance has gripped the country due to a "complete lack of evidence pointed in any sort of direction", a reporter covering the case has said. Alice Suffield, a reporter for LancsLive, has appeared on a new episode of Testimony, a true crime podcast from Laudable.
The Disappearance of Nicola Bulley by Testimony focuses on the story of the mum-of-two's baffling disappearance and what it means to her family and the local community. And Alice has spoken about how devastating the situation is for those who count themselves among Nicola's friends and loved ones.
Speculation has been rife since Nicola Bulley went missing on Friday, January 27, when she was walking her springer spaniel Willow alongside the River Wyre. The 45-year-old - known as Nikki - dialled into a work teams call for her job as a mortgage advisor before going missing.
Nikki, who is from nearby Inskip, dropped her two daughters, aged six and nine, off at school in St Michael's on Wyre before she disappeared. Lancashire Police launched a search on Friday, January 27 with specialist divers searching the river.
Police have said they believe Nicola slipped into the river, although there is no evidence either way. Members of the public keen to uncover what happened have travelled to the area, but three weeks on and the information which the police are working on has given no answers to her loved ones.
"At the heart of this there is a woman that's gone missing, leaving a partner and two children behind," Alice told Testimony, before explaining that there are disturbing elements to the public's reaction.
Subscribe here for the latest news where you live
"It's this woman's life, it's her family's life, it's her daughters' lives that are affected by this. As well as people who are coming forward - people that have been asked to help in police enquiries are getting abuse online."
"People have forgotten that this is someone's life that they're dealing with and they don't seem to care."
Alice added that the village is a close-knit community where "everyone knows everyone" and this is driving the locals to seek answers.
The Disappearance of Nicola Bulley by Testimony - A True Crime Podcast is available here