Police investigating the disappearance of Nicola Bulley today moved to debunk a number of 'persistent myths' surrounding the case 20 days on.
The senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith, said officers have been 'inundated with false information, accusations and rumours', which she said was 'distracting' them from their work. And Peter Lawson, Assistant Chief Constable of Lancashire Police, said there was still 'no evidence to indicate a criminal aspect or third party involvement' in Ms Bulley's disappearance.
The mother-of-two, 45, disappeared while walking her springer spaniel Willow in the village of St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, after she dropped her two daughters - aged six and nine - off at school on January 27. Det Supt Smith said her 'main working hypothesis' was still that she fell into the River Wyre.
READ MORE: Police say Nicola Bulley had 'number of vulnerabilities' when she went missing
Police held a press conference today - Wednesday - about the ongoing search, saying they wanted to combat disinformation about her disappearance. It took place as speculation about what might have happened to her has continued to grow over the 19 days since she went missing.
Police referred to a search of an abandoned house, which they said had now been completed and has not resulted in any new leads.
Det Supt Smith also referenced reports surrounding a red van said to have been in the area on January 27, like many vehicles were. And she revealed a glove was found but didn't belong to Ms Bulley. It's now in the police's possession, the detective said.
"All this speculation is affecting Nicola's family," she said.
"I have met the family on a number of occasions and they are kept regularly updated. There are dedicated liaison officers who have spent a significant amount of time with the family.
"My absolute priority is to provide answers to Nicola's two daughter's about where her mummy is. I would ask you to respect the family's privacy."
Speaking at the press conference Det Supt Smith told of 'persistent myths' about the case.
She said: “The derelict house which is across the other side of the river has been searched three times, with the permission of the owner, and Nicola is not in there. The red van, we're really grateful to members of the public for ringing into the inquiry, we wouldn't have got this far without everyone's help.
"But it's also really obvious that we are being inundated with false information, accusations and rumours which is distracting us from our work." She confirmed reports of a red van in the area on the morning of Ms Bulley's disappearance were not being treated as suspicious.
Supt Smith said the owners of 700 cars have been sent individual letters asking for dashcam of the relevant area. "Some of it shows nothing, but some of it is still being reviewed," she said.
She went on to reveal angling clubs have been spoken to and say the fact fishing was taking place on a river wasn't in itself suspicious.
Det Supt Smith said: "I have told you that my working hypothesis is, at the moment, through all the information that we have gathered, that the likelihood is that Nicola has unfortunately gone in the river. However, I have to stress this because this has been continually misconstrued, I cannot be 100% certain of that at the minute because we are continuing, it's a live investigation, and there is always information coming in.
"But we are in the 20th day, we have had a thorough, dedicated, meticulous investigation and there is not one single piece of information that’s come to note that would suggest that Nicola has left those fields."
Assistant Chief Constable Lawson said: "I would emphasise that it remains the case there is no evidence to indicate a criminal aspect or third party involvement in Nicola’s disappearance.
“However, the officers involved in the investigation are the same experienced specialists and many senior officers who are concerned with the investigation of the most serious and complex crimes."
"The search effort on both water and land continues," ACC Lawson added.
"Underwater search officers are continuing this week. It's a very challenging area to search. The river is tidal and parts of the river have been searched repeatedly.
"We have taken the best expertise around coastal movements. I retain all hope but the reality is there will be a point when we have to review the extent and proportionality of deploying these extensive searches around the river."
For more of today's top stories click here.
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