Nicola Bulley’s sister says there is ‘no evidence’ to back police’s theory that missing mum fell into river

NICOLA Bulley’s sister says there’s “no evidence” behind the police’s theory that the missing mum plunged into the river.
Cops yesterday revealed their “main working hypothesis” was that Nicola had “sadly fallen” into the icy waterway.
8Police revealed they believed missing mum Nicola Bulley had ‘sadly fallen into the river’Credit: SWNS8But Nicola’s sister Louise, left, said there was ‘no evidence’ behind that theoryCredit: Facebook8She asked the public to keep an ‘open mind’ as the hunt for Nicola continuesCredit: Facebook8Despite intense specialist searches, no trace of Nicola has been foundCredit: PAThe dog walker, 45, vanished after dropping her children off at school in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, more than a week ago.
Since then there has been no trace of the mum-of-two, leaving her family in agony.
Police explained they thought Nicola may have fallen in the River Wyre while trying to retrieve her dog Willow’s tennis ball.
They said that if the mum did fall into the water, she may have been weighed down by the “heavy” clothing she was wearing.

But sister Louise Cunningham took to social media last night, urging the public to keep an open mind.
Louise wrote: “Off the back of the latest police media update, please can I add there is no evidence whatsoever that she has gone into the river, it’s just a theory.
“Everyone needs to keep an open mind as not all CCTV and leads have been investigated fully, the police confirmed the case is far from over.”
In a press conference yesterday, Supt Sally Riley also told the press there was a ten-minute window where they cannot account for Nicola’s movements.

This is between 9.10am – the last confirmed sighting – and 9.20am when Nicola’s phone is believed to have been on a bench while connected to a work call.
Supt Riley said: “Based on all the work we have done so far, we are now as confident as we can be that Nicola has not left the field where she was last seen and our working hypothesis is that she has fallen into the river for some reason.
“There is no evidence whatsoever that there is anything suspicious about her disappearance or any third-party involvement in her going missing.
“Our investigation remains open and we will of course act on any new information which comes to light.”
However, there has been no signs along the river of somebody slipping in.
Officers also outlined the search for the mum as they confirmed they have been checking CCTV and dashcam footage for a sign of Nicola.
The development came as partner Paul Ansell told friends he is “trying to be strong” for their daughters, who are aged nine and six.
One pal told the Mirror: “They want to go out and find mummy. It’s utterly heartbreaking.
“They just desperately want her home.”
There is no evidence whatsoever that she has gone into the river, it’s just a theory.Louise CunninghamNicola’s sister
Paul yesterday visited the route where she vanished to appeal for information.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, he said: “My whole focus is my two girls, just staying as strong as I can for them.
“I’m scared that if I put focus into anything else it’s going to take my focus off that.
“Just hoping to goodness that anything comes out from the interview yesterday no matter how tiny.”
Paul said he keeps playing “every scenario” in his head “around and around” but each one comes to a “brick wall”.
He added: “It is as though she has vanished into thin air.”
His comments come as it emerged Nicola had sent a text message to a pal just minutes before she disappeared.
Search efforts for the missing mum have ramped up as specialist teams focus on a stretch of river.
On Thursday, police cordoned off a footpath that leads to a bench where Nicola’s phone and dog were found.

Officers also released a timeline of the missing mum’s final movements before she disappeared.
It followed the mum’s family releasing an emotional appeal as they told how her children “need her home”.
8Louise took to social media last night8
8The mum has not been seen since Friday January 28Credit: PA8Lancashire Police Superintendent Sally Riley revealed the police’s ‘main working hypothesis’ yesterdayCredit: PA

Story Credit: thesun.co.uk