Nicola Bulley: Missing mom's sister rejects police theory that she fell into river while walking dog
INSKIP, LANCASHIRE: The sister of a missing woman has urged people to help the family find her and also seemed to dismiss the investigator’s speculation that she may have fell into a river while walking her dog. Nicola Bulley’s sister Louise Cunningham shared her thoughts on Facebook after the mother-of-two has not been seen since January 27.
As per reports, just before her disappearance, the 45-year-old woman had gone out with the dog on a sidewalk by River Wyre off Garstang Road in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire. Though her phone was discovered near the river, she was nowhere to be seen. Cops reportedly stated that there were chances she fell into the water while trying to get back the tennis ball of the canine, Willow.
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‘Needs to keep an open mind’
But Bulley’s sister does not believe so as she posted on Facebook, “Please keep sharing my Nikki …Off the back of the latest Police media update, please can I add there is no evidence whatsoever that she has gone into the river, it’s just a theory. Everyone needs to keep an open mind as not all cctv and leads have been investigated fully, the police confirmed the case is far from over. ❤️❤️🙏”
Cunningham’s social media share received a lot of supportive comments, like “Honestly cannot imagine what you are all going through as a family. Truly hope your sister is found soon in good health. Also, as a lifelong owner of springer spaniels, cannot imagine Willow not going into the water if your sister did for any reason? Love from our family to yours 💗” and “My thoughts are with you and your family. I can't stop following this and desperately hope you're sister is found very soon. ❤️”
A user posted, “Hope she’s found safe and well asap. Thoughts are with you all ❤️.” Another user wrote, “Thinking of you all and praying for something to lead you in a direction at least. As a mother to two young girls my heart breaks for you all. No knowing what’s happened must be torturous x.” “🙏 she’s found safe soon. 🤞🤞This is truly heartbreaking 💔 sending all my love to her family & friends at this devastating time!”
‘Our investigation remains open’
This comes as Superintendant Sally Riley reportedly said, “Based on all the work we have done so far, we are now as confident as we can be that Nicola has not left the field where she was last seen and our working hypothesis is that she has fallen into the river for some reason.”
“There is no evidence whatsoever that there is anything suspicious about her disappearance or any third-party involvement in her going missing. Our investigation remains open and we will of course act on any new information which comes to light,” Riley added.
‘He’s trying to hold on to hope’
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Bulley’s partner, Paul Ansell, is trying to be strong for their two daughters. An unnamed family friend told The Mirror, “I am speaking to him most days. They are close friends of ours. He’s trying to be strong for the girls. They want to go out and find mummy. It’s utterly heartbreaking.” They noted, “He’s trying to hold on to hope that she will be found and brought home to them. The alternative is just too unimaginable and devastating. He’s trying to balance keeping some form of routine for the girls and then trying to find Nikki. They just desperately want her home.”
The friend also spoke of Bulley and added, “She adores her girls. She is a real homemaker and loves to spend time with her family. They love taking walks with the dogs. She is always cooking, making things with the girls. She takes them to school, and outside school activities. She is involved in church events with school. She is so sweet-natured.”