NICOLA Bulley's family today revealed their heartache – saying "you're no longer a missing person – you've been found" after cops confirmed the body found in a river is that of the missing mum.
After a desperate search spanning more than three weeks, Nicola's tragic end was this afternoon confirmed as cops stated her body had been found less than a mile from where she vanished.
Nicola had vanished while on a walk with her dog on January 27 – sparking a massive search for answers.
The search spanned dozens of miles as cops searched the River Wyre and downstream to Morecambe Bay along with more than 300 homes.
But the desperate hunt ended in tragedy today as police confirmed a body – found by walkers yesterday afternoon – was that of Nicola.
And Nicola's family released a heart-breaking statement, telling the mum: "Finally, Nikki, you are no longer a missing person, you have been found, we can let you rest now."
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The family said police today confirmed their "worst fears" when they revealed the body found yesterday belonged to Nicola.
The family said police confirmed their "worst fears" when they revealed the body found yesterday belonged to Nicola.
They added: "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.
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It comes after:
- Police confirmed that Nicola’s body had been found in the River Wyre
- Nicola’s family said that they’ll never be able to “comprehend what Nikki went through” or “forget” the tragedy
- A ‘psychic’ claimed that he found the body during the search
- The Home Secretary was reported to be “not satisfied” over cop’s explanation of why they released information on Nicola’s “vulnerabilities”
- Dive expert Peter Faulding said “I did my best” in the search for the mum-of-two
- An ex-cop said that the body may have been “weighed down” before it was found
"Our girls will get the support they need from the people who love them the most."
In their statement, Nicola’s family criticised press coverage of the search for the mum-of-two and hit out at harmful social media speculation.
They specifically mentioned two broadcasters who tried to contact them today, after they had "expressly asked for privacy".
The case has attracted widespread interest since tragic Nicola's disappearance and amateur sleuths have flooded social media with wild theories during the three week hunt for the mum.
A map and photos have revealed exactly where the body was found, less than a mile away from where the missing mum was last seen.
The 45-year-old disappeared in St Michael's on Wyre at around 9.15am on January 27.
Finally, Nikki, you are no longer a missing person, you have been found, we can let you rest now.
And the body was found at around 11am yesterday, near Rawcliffe Road.
It was said to have been on the edge of the river, in undergrowth, when first seen by members of the public.
And the horrified witness' first words to the cops have been revealed.
The man, who appeared pale, could be seen pointing to the area along the bank.
He can then be heard saying: “It was a body. It is down there.
"It was a body of a woman. There is definitely a body down there.”
'UNEXPLAINED' DEATH
Police said yesterday the death was being treated as "unexplained".
It comes after Suella Braverman hit out at Lancashire Police chiefs, admitting she "wasn't wholly satisfied" with their justification for releasing personal information about Nicola.
This morning the Home Secretary said she has serious "concerns" about the investigation, which has gripped the nation's attention.
Ms Braverman met with Lancashire Police's chief constable to ask why the force revealed Nicola had issues with drinking, which had been “brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause”.
"I want to put on record my deepest thoughts and sympathies for the family of Nicola Bulley, it must be a horrendous experience that they are going through right now," Ms Braverman said.
"We need to let the police carry out and conclude their investigation. I did have concerns earlier in the week about some of the elements relating to the release of personal information of Nicola Bulley into the public domain.
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"I raised those concerns with the chief constable – I wasn't wholly satisfied, I have to say, with some of the responses I got but it is a matter for the police themselves.
"We must just let the investigation conclude, and then we will see what the investigations and inquiries come back with."
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