03 February 2023 , 11:08
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Nicola Bulley's devastated family have released new photos of the missing dog walker.
New images released by the family of the missing 45-year-old may help the search, after she disappeared while walking her brown spaniel Willow along the River Wyre in the tight-knit village of St Michael's-on-Wyre in Lancashire.
The mum was last seen at 9.20am on Friday, January 27.
It has now been one week since the mortgage adviser went missing, after an alarm was raised when someone who recognised her dog running loose and the mum's mobile phone nearby.
The family friend said they grew up in the area and said the community is really "shaken" at Nicola's disappearance, as friends and family have said that her disappearance was totally out of character.
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The family hope that releasing the pictures will help with the investigation (Lancashire Constabulary / SWNS.C)Meanwhile, the partner of Nicola Bulley has told friends he's trying to hold it together for their daughters, aged nine and six, who "want to go out and find mummy".
Lancashire Police have confirmed they are continuing in their search for Nicola.
Yesterday, search efforts ramped up as divers were seen going into the river.
Specialist search teams from the police force were seen on the River Wyre were spotted wearing wetsuits as they searched underwater.
Nicola is described as white, 5ft 3ins tall, with light brown shoulder-length hair (Lancashire Constabulary / SWNS.C)Despite the major search continuing, no trace of her has been found.
However, police said officers have also said they are keeping an "open mind" about what had happened, but do not believe the mum was attacked.
Cops have also said there is nothing to suggest any third-party involvement in Nicola disappearance.
Nicola is described as white, 5ft 3ins tall, with light brown shoulder-length hair. She speaks with an Essex accent.
She was last seen wearing a long black gilet jacket with a hood, black jeans and olive-green ankle wellies. Her hair was tied into a ponytail.
New images have been released by the family (Lancashire Constabulary / SWNS.C)Desperate family members of Nicola said they would do anything to have her back, as her sister pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.
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In her heartfelt plea, she said that she needs "get my sister back".
Louise Cunningham told Sky News:"Something has got to have been missed. Somebody must know something. People don't just vanish into thin air.
"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."
She also added that she feels like her family are "stuck in a nightmare".
Anybody who has seen Nicola, or has information about where she might be, is asked to call 101, quoting log 565 of January 30th. For immediate sightings please call 999.
Timeline of events
- 08:43 - Nicola walked along the path by the River Wyre, after dropping her daughter's off at school
- 08:50 - A dog walker who knows Nicola saw her walking along the lower field. Their two dogs interacted briefly
- 08:53 - Nicola sent an email to her boss
- 09:01 - She logged into a Teams call
- About 09:10 - A witness who knows Nicola saw her on the upper field walking Willow
- 09:30 - The Teams call ended but she stayed logged on
- About 09:35 - Ms Bulley's mobile phone and Willow were found at a bench by the river