A search expert working with the Nicola Bulley investigation has made a statement following the discovery of a body this afternoon (Sunday). Police announce around 2.30pm this afternoon that they had found a body in the River Wyre.
Search expert Peter Faulding was recruited by Nicola’s family to help find her 10 days after she went missing on January 27 whilst walking her dog in the village of St Michael’s on Wyre in Lancashire. As the head of Specialist Group International (SGI), he oversaw a series of underwater searches across three days.
These covered a length of the river near to where the missing 45-year-old's phone was discovered on a bench. During today's search, police announced that a body had been found in the river close to Rawcliffe Road during their ongoing search for the mother-of-two.
No formal identification of the body has yet been made. In a statement, Lancashire Police confirmed Nicola’s family had been informed of the discovery and their thoughts were ‘with them at this most difficult of times’.
Responding to news reports of the discovery this afternoon, Faulding posted on social media: “Our thoughts are with Nicola’s family and friends at this difficult time. #nicolabulley”
The road near the River Wyre remains sealed off by police as they continue their investigation. A forensic tent has also been erected by specialist CSI officers.
In a statement issued today, Lancashire Police said: "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."
