The self-proclaimed psychic who found Nicola Bulley claims his "gift" guided him to her body.
The body of the mother-of-two was pulled from the River Wyre after it was located on Sunday, over three weeks since she was reported missing. The 45-year-old was last seen on January 27 walking her brown spaniel Willow near the river in the close-knit village of St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire.
A significant search operation was launched on land and in air, which also went nearly 14 miles to sea. Divers using high-tech equipment were seen trawling the river as specialist officers combed the riverbanks and conducted house-to-house searches.
Her body was found a mile from a river bench where her phone was found by Jason Dean Rothwell. He and a friend were seen alongside the River Wyre at the weekend, appearing to assist police with the location and recovery of a body - now confirmed as the missing 45-year-old mum.
Last night, Jason said he wasn't asked by the police or Nicola's family to help but it was his "gift" that compelled him to try and help, the Mirror reports. In a statement, he also added he had previously helped with the recovery of Michael Brooks - a 19-year-old who was found in a river in Lancashire after a three-week search in February 2018.
He also thanked the police for their "open-mindedness" as "spiritualists or mediums are obviously not something the police come across every day". Nicola's case sparked national interest from the media and individuals alike - leading to the family slamming the harmful speculation that spread like wildfire.
Nicola's family said they were devastated at the news as they said in a statement last night: "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."
Jason's statement in full
"It is with great regret that I have to address this issue at this time. But due to a wide number of private enquires and threads now circulating on YouTube and TikTok, I feel I should put a brief statement. As has obviously become apparent, yes it is myself in the images in the media currently circulating relating to the case of Nicola Bulley and yes yesterday morning it was myself and a friend who reported and assisted the police in the recovery of a body from the river Wyre.
"Such as it is it would be inappropriate of me to discuss in any further detail anything we may know about that body at this time, considering a formal identification of that body has yet to be confirmed. I would also like to just say a huge thank you to Lancashire police for their help, support and the open-mindedness with which they dealt with us, following our call, spiritualists or mediums are obviously not something the police come across every day and I appreciate the respect given to us both.
"It is also important to mention, I was not asked by the police or Nicola’s family to become involved in this case, but having seen the wild speculation and hurtful commentary that has been ongoing, and having previously assisted in the recovery of Michael Brooks, I decided to use whatever “gift” it is we mediums possess to try and locate Nicola Bulley. I Would, however, stress again, I can not confirm that the body we traced yesterday is that of the lady in question.
"My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friend and loved ones at this time and I do hope, that if it is indeed Nicola, they can find some peace with this. If it is not, I would send my prayers to the family of whomsoever it may be. I would add as a final note, I will not be giving any further information or commentary at this time regarding the work involved in finding this person nor is it my place to engage in any discussion on how that body came to originally be in the water."
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