The family of Nicola Bulley have called out some elements of the mainstream media for not respecting their privacy following the tragic news that Nicola’s body has been found
Yesterday, 20th February, a spokesperson for Lancashire Police confirmed that they had located Nicola’s body in the River Wyre.
The 45-year-old went missing on 27 January after vanishing when she took her dog for a walk by the River Wyre in Lancashire.
A spokesperson for the force said:
‘Sadly, we are now able to confirm that yesterday we recovered Nicola Bulley from the River Wyre.
‘Nicola’s family have been informed and are of course devastated. Our thoughts are with them at this time as well as with all her loved ones and the wider community.
‘We recognise the huge impact that Nicola’s disappearance has had on her family and friends, but also on the people of St Michael’s. We would like to thank all of those who have helped during what has been a hugely complex and highly emotional investigation.
‘Today’s development is not the outcome any of us would have wanted, but we hope that it can at least start to provide some answers for Nicola’s loved ones, who remain foremost in our thoughts. The case is now being handled by HM Coroner.’
In a statement released by Nicola’s family, they paid respect to Nicola and described how she was ‘the centre of our world’. They also spoke of how in the wake of Nicola’s tragic death, Nicola’s two young daughters will get the support they need from ‘the people who love them the most’.
But they also spoke about their anxiety and stress of having to deal with the intrusive practices of some elements of the mainstream media. They described how the conduct of some reporters has been ‘appalling’ and how the mainstream media must be held accountable for their conduct.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the family said:
‘Our Family Liaison officers have had to confirm our worst fears today. We will never be able to comprehend what Nikki had gone through in her last moments, and that will never leave us.
“We will never forget Nikki, how could we, she was the centre of our world, she was the one who made our lives so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that. “Our girls will get the support they need from the people who love them the most.
“And it saddens us to think that one day we will have to explain to them that the press & members of the public accused their dad of wrongdoing, misquoted & vilified friends & family. This is absolutely appalling; they have to be held accountable this cannot happen to another family.
“We tried last night to take in what we had been told in the day, only to have Sky News and ITV making contact with us directly when we expressly asked for privacy. They, again, have taken it upon themselves to run stories about us to sell papers and increase their own profiles.
“It is shameful they have acted in this way. Leave us alone now. Do the press and other media channels, and so-called professionals not know when to stop? These are our lives and our children’s lives.
“To those who genuinely helped and supported us privately, we thank you.
“The community support in St Michael’s, friends’, neighbours and strangers has been nothing short of comforting and heart-warming.
“Friends, you know who you are. Thank you. Our hearts truly break for others who have missing loved ones. Keep that hope alive.
“Finally, Nikki, you are no longer a missing person, you have been found, we can let you rest now. We love you, always have and always will, we’ll take it from here xx”
Both Sky News and ITV News have attracted criticism from the wider emergency services community owing to what many people perceive as their often ill-informed criticism of Lancashire Police during their search for Nicola.
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The media have a lot to answer for with their continuous badgering of this family.
What have the Police Inspectors of the Underwater dive and search team asked their constables why they weren’t successful in finding the body of Nicola Bulley?
Did they look thoroughly as it only took a couple walking their dog to find her.
Have they thought of the possibility that she was held against her will somewhere and only placed in the river after the Police had searched the area?.