Nicola Bulley: Missing mother's partner says she's vanished into thin air

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Mother-of-two Nicola Bulley disappeared a week ago while on a riverside walk with her dog.

Image source, Facebook

Nicola Bulley’s partner has said he was focusing on “staying as strong as I can” for their two daughters, a week after her disappearance.

The 45-year-old was last seen on a riverside dog walk in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on 27 January.

A major search for Ms Bulley has been continuing, but no trace of her has been found.

Paul Ansell said he “cannot get [his] head” around it all, adding: “It’s as though she’s vanished into thin air.”

Ms Bulley’s friend Emma White described her as “the most beautiful person” and “the kindest soul – she’s thoughtful, she’s caring.

“And then you add her and Paul together, add a little bit of magic, and they’ve created these two beautiful humans who just want to know where their mummy is.

“Anybody with any information to help these guys – we just need something. It’s not making sense, we’ve got no information.”

Neighbours and friends are holding banners by the road in the village in the hope it will catch the attention of anyone who may have seen something.

Luke Sumner said: “We’re going to do absolutely everything possible to find some information as to where Nicola has gone.

“The community spirit has been absolutely phenomenal.”

Image source, PA Media

Police were alerted to Ms Bulley’s disappearance when her spaniel, Willow, was found running loose off Garstang Road about 25 minutes after she was last seen by another dog walker.

Ms Bulley’s phone was later found on a riverside bench, still connected to a work call.

Timeline of events

08:43 – Ms Bulley walked along the path by the River Wyre, having dropped her children off at school08:50 – A dog walker who knows Ms Bulley saw her walking along the lower field. Their two dogs interacted briefly08:53 – Ms Bulley sent an email to her boss09:01 – She logged into a Teams callAbout 09:10 – A witness who knows Ms Bulley saw her on the upper field walking Willow09:30 – The Teams call ended but she stayed logged onAbout 09:35 – Ms Bulley’s mobile phone and Willow were found at a bench by the river

A harness and lead for her springer spaniel, Willow, was also discovered on the bench.

Police said officers were keeping an “open mind” about what had happened, but did not believe Ms Bulley had been attacked.

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