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Detectives have found no evidence of a “criminal aspect or third party involvement” in Nicola Bulley’s disappearance during extensive inquiries over the 19 days since she vanished, a police chief has said.
The senior investigating officer on the case has clarified that her main working hypothesis continues to be that Nicola Bulley had fallen into the river.
Her partner Paul Ansell has reportedly expressed “frustration” with the progress made in the police search, as the hunt for Ms Bulley enters its third week.
“He’s struggling to get answers that he wants,” forensic expert Peter Faulding was quoted as saying.
The authorities took away the blue-coloured ski glove from the scene, though they asserted that the main line of investigation – that Ms Bulley fell into the River Wyre – has not changed, reports The Telegraph.
Ms Bulley 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 – at school.
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‘No evidence’ to suggest criminal aspect or third party involved in disappearance
Assistant chief constable Peter Lawson said “there is no evidence” to indicate a criminal element or third person party is involved in the disappearance of Nicola Bulley.
Mr Lawson said police have visited over 300 premises, spoken to over 300 people and given over 1,500 pieces of information.
They have sed specialist resources from police and a range of other agencies in their search.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 11:561676463901
Nicola Bulley deemed high risk due to ‘specific vulnerabilities’
Detectives judged Nicola Bulley to be at high-risk when she was reported missing due to “specific vulnerabilities” they were made aware of, police have revealed.
In a bid to address the intense media online speculation – and criticism of its investigation – Lancashire Police held a press conference on Wednesday to shed light on “exactly we have done over the last 19 days”.
“As soon as she was reported missing, following the information that was provided to the police by her partner Paul, and based on a number of specific vulnerabilities that we were made aware of, Nicola was graded as high-risk,” said Detective Superintendent Becky Smith, who is leading the investigation.
“That is normal in a missing person investigation with the information we were in possession of.”
Nicola Bulley deemed high risk due to ‘specific vulnerabilities’
Lancashire Police insist there is still ‘no evidence’ to suggest criminal element after ‘exhaustive’ search
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 12:251676463622
‘Likelihood is that Nicola has gone into the river,’ senior detective says
When asked how confident she is that Nicola Bulley will be found alive, senior investigating officer Rebecca Smith said: “I hope with all my heart that we find Nicola Bulley alive, more than anything.”
But when pressed, Ms Smith said that the likelihood is that “Nicola has gone into the river”.
However, she said she cannot be 100 per cent sure as the case is an ongoing investigation.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 12:201676463304
Senior detective debunks some common theories
Addresssing some theories of where Nicola Bulley could be, the senior detective Rebecca Smith flagged that a derelict house across the river has been searched three times, with nothing found.
She said the police have made numerous appeals to fisherman who were reportedly seen the previous day. However, Ms Smith said she does not believe the fisherman are suspicious, but still wants to speak with them.
Ms Smith also addressed the recovered stained glove, but said there was nothing suspicious about it.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 12:151676462938
Speaking at a press conference at Lancashire Police headquarters on Wednesday, Assistant Chief Constable Peter 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.”
There is still “no evidence to indicate a criminal aspect or third party involvement” in Nicola Bulley’s disappearance, police say.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 12:081676462733
Nicola was holding her phone in her hand as she listened in to Teams call
Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith said that Nicola Bulley was holding her phone in her hand as she listened to the Teams call, as seen by a witness the morning of her disappearance.
The senior investigating officer stressed this point to address queries about why the phone was on a bench, rather than in Ms Bulley’s pocket.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 12:051676462568
No one on Teams call would have been able to hear what happened, senior investigating officer says
The senior investigating officer has said that no one else on the Teams call would have been able to hear or see what happened to Nicola Bulley during the duration of her work call.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 12:021676462448
Main hypothesis is Nicola Bulley fell into the river, senior investigating officer says
The senior investigating officer on the case has clarified that her main working hypothesis continues to be that Nicola Bulley had fallen into the river.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 12:001676462028
Conference will address the speculation and criticism towards the police
Peter Lawson, assistant chief constable, said they will give more details about what they have done in the last 19 days in order to address continuous speculation and criticism on the search.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 11:531676461870
Lancashire Police press conference begins
Lancashire Police have started their press conference on the disappearance of Nicola Bulley.
Stay tuned for live updates.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 11:51
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