NICOLA Bulley's family could be waiting days to find out if the body found in the river is the missing mum.
It comes as a body was pulled from the water a mile from where 45-year-old mum-of-two Nicola was last seen three weeks ago in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancs.
Missing Nicola Bulley’s partner said there are “no words right now, just agony”, after the discovery of a body just before noon yesterday.
It was spotted by two dog walkers a mile from where Nicola was last seen.
Cops were scrambled to the scene with a man appearing ashen-faced as he gestured towards an outcrop of trees and undergrowth along the bank.
He was heard telling police: “It was a body. It’s down there. It was a body of a woman. There is definitely a body down there.”
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Lancashire Constabulary said it was unable to confirm whether the body was that of missing Nicola.
And the heartbroken family could be waiting several days for formal identification according to cops.
A spokesman added: "We are currently treating the death as unexplained. Nicola's family have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times. We ask that their privacy is respected."
It is expected that Mr Ansell or another close relative will now be asked to help identify the body.
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Hamish Brown, a retired Scotland Yard detective inspector, said: "The identification process isn't pleasant for anyone. I'm afraid it's just another line of unpleasant torture for the family, but something nevertheless that must be done."
Mr Brown told GB News that it "depends on the condition of the body" whether it can be identified "visually".
They will look for other things, like clothing, personal belongings and jewellery as well as examining DNA.
After the discovery of the body, officers immediately sealed off a nearby road and a police helicopter hovered overhead.
Lancashire Police had carried out extensive searches of the River Wyre in Lancashire and had been desperately trying to defend its investigation.
Reinforcements dashed to cordon off the immediate area as divers entered the water.
Senior investigating officer Det Supt Rebecca Smith arrived as Lancashire Police confirmed the discovery, before forensics tents were erected on the riverbank.
Last night, Nicola’s partner Paul Ansell, 44, and daughters Harriet, nine, and Sophia, six, were being supported by police officers.
Sky News correspondent Inzamam Rashid said he had been in touch with Nicola’s family members, who sent him a string of broken loveheart emojis.
He said they felt agony and heartbreak at the news and in a message Paul had written: “No words right now, just agony.”
Messages of hope taped to a nearby bridge had been removed during the course of the evening and replaced with flowers.
Wyre Council leader Michael Vincent, who has been closely involved in the search for Nicola, told The Sun: “This is absolutely tragic. Nicola’s family and friends have been through hell.
“For three weeks we have all hoped for the best. To hear that a body has been found is truly heartbreaking. I can’t imagine what Nicola’s family and friends must be going through.
“We’re all waiting for official confirmation and if that comes it will be the worst possible news.”
Mortgage adviser Nicola vanished on January 27 after dropping her girls off at school in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancs.
She had been with her dog beside the river.
Her phone was found still connected to a work call. Police maintained their main theory has always been that Nicola, left, had gone into the water. It was thoroughly searched by police teams.
Peter Faulding, of Specialist Group International, then offered his services for free following a plea by Nicola’s family.
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That was two weeks ago and it is believed the river has not been searched since.
The underwater search expert has been under fire and said he didn't give her family "false hope".
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