Police say there is still no evidence of 'criminal or third party involvement' in Nicola Bulley disappearance

Police have said there is still no evidence of 'criminal or third party involvement' in the disappearance of Nicola Bulley.

In a press conference, Lancashire Police provided an update on the investigation, which has been running since January.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said: "There is no evidence to indicate a criminal aspect or third party involvement in Nicola's disappearance.

"The officers involved in the investigation are the same experienced specialists. Many senior officers who are concerned with the investigation of the most serious and complex crimes."

He added: "We have a dedicated team of more than 40 detectives.

"They are looking through hundreds of hours of CCTV, dashcam footage, speaking to numerous witnesses, carrying out digital enquiries and examining hundreds of pieces of information submitted by public."

Speculation about what might have happened to her has continued to grow in the 19 days since she vanished.

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 on 27 January.

At a press conference on 3 February, police first told the public of its 'main working hypothesis' that the mortgage adviser fell in the river during a '10-minute window' between 9.10am and 9.20am that day.

The force said her disappearance was not being treated as suspicious.

PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Her body has still not been found and detectives extended the search for her to the sea on 3 February, saying finding her there 'becomes more of a possibility'.

A 49-year-old man from Manchester and a 20-year-old woman from Oldham have been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications offences in relation to emails allegedly sent to Wyre Council members.

The man has been bailed pending further inquiries until 12 May, while the woman remains in custody.

On Monday (13 February), Wyre Council removed councillors' contact details from its website due to 'inappropriate emails and phone calls' about Bulley's disappearance.

It said it had temporarily removed contact details for 'parish and town council members' after Lancashire Police confirmed its investigation.

Meanwhile, Bulley's friends and neighbours - including her next-door neighbour and friend Charlotte Drake - have continued to flock to a bridge over the Wyre to lay yellow ribbons with messages wishing for her safe return.

PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Speaking last week, Bulley's partner Paul Ansell said he wants to keep 'all options open' about her disappearance, but his 'gut instinct' tells him she is not in the river.

He described Bulley as 'fun', 'loving', 'the most loyal friend you could ever have' and an 'exceptional mum' who 'absolutely adores our girls'.

"She's just a pillar of strength to our family and without her, the hole is bigger than you can possibly imagine," he told 5 News.

Ansell said that although the family is going through 'unprecedented hell', hope that his partner will be found is 'stronger than ever'.

Topics: UK News

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey