Nicola Bulley could have 'walked away' to move on with her life, claims ex-cop
Former detective Mark Williams-Thomas claims Nicola Bulley could still have just "walked away".
The missing mum-of-two has now not been seen in nearly three weeks after she vanished while walking her dog in St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire on Friday, January 27.
Lancashire Police, who on Wednesday revealed the 45-year-old had been struggling with alcohol issues relating to the menopause - a revelation criticised by some members of the public - have said they are still working to the theory she went into the River Wyre.
Ms Bulley’s phone was found, apparently still engaged on a work call, on a park bench nearby, along with the harness and lead for her dog.
The dog running loose alerted a member of the public and police were called, but despite a huge search, no trace of Ms Bulley has been found.
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
Despite exhaustive searches no trace of her has since been found.
Several searches have been conducted all along the river (Getty Images)Now TV star Mark Williams Thomas says his investigations on the ground have lead him to conclude she could have left the scene alive.
"If Nicola returned on the path she came on there's no CCTV," he said.
"When police say they don't believe she left the area there's no certainty in that.
"She could have left on the same route she came on - I've walked the route and she could easily have disappeared up there without being seen by anybody."
He also cast doubt on Nicola being in the river.
"That is where the major problem is," he added.
Lancashire Police revealed at a press conference this week Nicola was a "high risk" missing person (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)"Her body would have had to go round two bends in the river and an area in the middle of the river with undergrowth.
"And also it would have had to get over the weir and then across rocks and round a bend of 90 degrees.
"Had she got passed the weir chances are the tides would have brought the body back.
Devastated parents promise to never stop looking for mum-of-two who vanished
"I think she left this area in one way or another," he said.
Mark Williams-Thomas said Nicola could have 'just walked away' (SWNS)"She either left the area further downstream in the water - not at the bench but further downstream where the river is tidal.
"Or she is still in this area having moved away to move on with life.
"I rule out third party involvement.
"Whatever happened in Nicola's life there are people out there who can help.
(PA)"She's gone somewhere - she hasn't simply vanished.
"Is she in the water in which case her body will turn up somewhere.
"Is she on land somewhere and hopefully people will find her if that's the case.
"And of course if she's moved on to get on with her life then she'll have contact with people."
He also called on Nicola's partner Paul Ansell and her family to reveal more about her life.
He said: "I think he should come out and say, 'yes Nicola's life recently has been difficult - it's been a challenge - but we all have challenges in life - let's focus on finding her'.
"Open his heart and if he opens his heart I think we'll all get behind him."
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