Nicola Bulley's partner issues heartbreaking statement as hunt for mum continues

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Nicola Bulley with her partner Paul Ansell
Nicola Bulley with her partner Paul Ansell

The partner of Nicola Bulley is pleading for answers as the search for the missing mum continues.

The 45-year-old disappeared on January 27 in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, and since then police have been constantly looking for her.

Nicola had dropped her two daughters, aged six and nine, off at school and then went on her usual dog walk alongside the river.

Her phone, still connected to a Teams call for her job as a mortgage adviser, was found on a bench on a steep riverbank overlooking the water, along with the dog lead, with the dog harness on the ground.

Officers believe that Nicola fell into the river, but since there is nothing to confirm this theory so far, they said they remain open-minded.

Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog eiqrriqzzidtdinvMum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
Nicola Bulley's partner issues heartbreaking statement as hunt for mum continuesNicola hasn't been seen for 10 days
Nicola Bulley's partner issues heartbreaking statement as hunt for mum continuesThe last image of Nicola on the school run on January 27

Today, the police were joined by a search team from Specialist Group International (SGI) led by forensic search specialist Peter Faulding.

In a new statement released through Lancashire Police today, Nicola's partner Paul Ansell said everyone is desperate to know what happened to her.

He added that Nicola's daughters "miss their mummy desperately" and have been going through "a tough time" since her disappearance.

Nicola Bulley's partner issues heartbreaking statement as hunt for mum continuesWorkers from Specialist Group International move a rigid inflatable boat into the river (PA)

Mr Ansell said: "It's been ten days now since Nicola went missing and I have two little girls who miss their mummy desperately and who need her back.

"This has been such a tough time for the girls especially but also for me and all of Nicola’s family and friends, as well as the wider community and I want to thank them for their love and support.

"We are also really grateful to Peter and his team from SGI for coming up and helping support the work of Lancashire Police as they continue their investigation.

Nicola Bulley's partner issues heartbreaking statement as hunt for mum continuesPeter Faulding begins aiding the search for Nicola Bulley (James Maloney/LancsLive)

"If anyone has any information which could help find Nicola, I urge them to get in touch with the police and help us provide the answers we all so badly need."

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Ansell said: "We have to find her safe and well. I can't put those girls to bed again tonight with no answers."

It comes as police released CCTV images of Nicola on her Ring Doorbell before she went missing.

Nicola Bulley's partner issues heartbreaking statement as hunt for mum continuesNicola Bulley seen on her Ring Doorbell before she went missing (Lancashire Police)

Lancashire Police said: "Nicola was last seen on Friday morning (January 27th) at around 9.20am on the upper field by the river off Garstang Road where she had taken her Spaniel Willow for a walk after dropping her children at school in the village.

Devastated parents promise to never stop looking for mum-of-two who vanishedDevastated parents promise to never stop looking for mum-of-two who vanished

"Our CCTV enquiries have focused on Nicola’s movements and whether she could have left the fields near to the river, whether that be via Allotment Lane, the river path leading to Garstang Road, or by Rowanwater at the top of the upper field.

Nicola Bulley's partner issues heartbreaking statement as hunt for mum continuesSearch efforts are continuing 10 days after Nicola vanished (Tom Maddick SWNS)

"Most of our sightings of Nicola have been by witnesses who knew her and that has enabled us to plot her movements from the school, along the river path and into the field.

"We can say with confidence that by reviewing CCTV, Nicola has not left the field during the key times via Rowanwater, either through the site itself or via the piece of land at the side.

"Also, we can say that she did not return from the fields along Allotment Lane or via the path at the rear of the Grapes pub onto Garstang Road.

Nicola Bulley's partner issues heartbreaking statement as hunt for mum continuesNicola was walking her dog after dropping her children off at school when she went missing (Lancashire Police / SWNS)
Nicola Bulley's partner issues heartbreaking statement as hunt for mum continuesPaul Ansell said the whole family misses Nicola and needs her back (Facebook)

"Our enquiries now focus on the river path which leads from the fields back to Garstang Road – for that we need drivers and cyclists who travelled that way on the morning of January 27 to make contact. We have already done a lot of work around this, but every piece of footage helps us build up a picture of movements on that morning."

Detective Supt Rebecca Smith said: "The team working on this investigation are completely dedicated and determined to find Nicola.

"As a mother myself, I can't even begin to imagine what her two children are going through.

"Please be reassured that our sole focus is Nicola and that we are doing everything we can to find her.

"It is not possible to provide every piece of information to the public because to do so would detract from the investigation, but I’d like to thank everyone who has assisted us so far and for the support provided to Nicola’s family at this extremely difficult time.

Nicola Bulley's partner issues heartbreaking statement as hunt for mum continuesPolice search teams by the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire (PA)

"They are being supported and updated throughout. I would ask that anyone who was driving/cycling through St Michael’s last Friday morning and who has dashcam footage to get in touch with us if they haven’t already done so.

"I would also ask in fisherman who may have been in the area at the time to make contact if you feel you can assist.

"I would also appeal again to anyone who has any other footage – CCTV or Ring Doorbell for example, or any other information, no matter how insignificant you might think it is, to contact us as every small piece can help us build up a picture."

Chiara Fiorillo

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