03 February 2023 , 09:29
452
0
A dog walker tracked down by police investigating the disappearance of Nicola Bulley has told officers that she "doesn't know anything".
Mum-of-two Nicola, 45, disappeared a week ago as she walked her dog Willow along the River Wyre in the town of St Michaels, Lancashire.
The mortgage adviser's mobile phone as well as the lead and harness for her springer spaniel, Willow, were found on a bench close to the river.
Yesterday, Lancashire Police issued CCTV of a woman wearing a red coat who they believed could be a potential witness in the case. The force later confirmed that she had been identified.
But the woman photographed, 68-year-old Christine Bowman, told the Mirror she was baffled by the appeal as she had already spoken to police on the day of the disappearance and “doesn’t know anything”. Police later confirmed she had been identified.
Nicola Bulley's children 'cried their eyes out' after being told 'mummy's lost'
Mum-of-two Nicola, 45, disappeared a week ago as she walked her dog Willow (strava)
The mortgage adviser's mobile phone as well as the lead and harness for her springer spaniel, Willow, were found on a bench (strava)The retired teacher told how some female villagers have since become wary of walking the same route alone.
She said: “It has made local women fearful. If they have husbands or partners, they have been taking the dogs out instead.”
The comments come after Nicola's family said they would do anything to have her back with sister, Louise Cunningham, telling Sky News: "Something has got to have been missed.
"Somebody must know something. People don't just vanish into thin air."
Nicola's family said they would do anything to have her backHer tearful father Ernie Bulley said Nicola's young daughters still believed it is "only a matter of time" before their mother comes home.
He said: "There are two young children there waiting for their mummy to come back and we want her back obviously also, but if Nicola is out there, if she's watching this, then all we'd like to say is 'come home, contact the police, contact ourselves and we just want you back'.
"And they know that mummy's missing but they know that she's going to be coming home and everyone is looking for her so it's only a matter of time, that they're thinking in their minds, that she's going to walk through that door."
Yesterday, police divers concentrated on a small stretch by the bench where the mortgage adviser’s phone was found.
Police search teams continue looking along the murky waters of the River Wyre (James Maloney/Lancs Live)In the morning, fire crews had used a 20ft probe camera to look underwater at the banks and river bed.
Soon afterwards, the underwater police unit was sent out and were seen diving in the same area for several hours.
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
Louise added: "There has got to be somebody who knows something and all we are asking is, no matter how small or big, if there is anything you remember that doesn't seem right then please reach out to the police.
"Get in touch and get my sister back."
Ms Bulley and her family are originally from Essex but moved to Lancashire around 25 years ago (Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)Ms Bulley's partner, Paul Ansell said earlier this week the family were living in "perpetual hell".
Police say Ms Bulley was last seen at 9.10am last Friday, while walking her dog and she had logged on to a work Teams call, which ended at 9.30am with her still logged on.
Ms Bulley and her family are originally from Essex but moved to Lancashire around 25 years ago.
Lancashire Police have said they do not believe any crime has been committed and are treating the incident as a missing person inquiry.