'Potentially key' witness being sought by police over dog walker disappearance

Police searching for missing Lancashire woman Nicola Bulley are “especially keen” to speak to a witness aged around 70 who was in the area at the time she vanished.

The 45-year-old mother of two was last seen at 9.15am on Friday by a member of the public.

Her mobile phone was found on a bench near where she was last seen on a towpath by the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire. It was still connected to a conference call when it was found.

Ms Bulley’s dog, a springer spaniel called Willow, was found loose between the river and bench.

Police said on Tuesday that searches are continuing, adding they are “especially keen” to find a “potentially key” witness they believe was in the area at the time Ms Bulley went missing.

“He is described as a man aged around 70, white, six ft tall, well-built who was walking a small white fluffy dog on a lead,” a Lancashire Police statement said.

“He spoke to a woman in the area before walking in the direction of Rowanwater. If this is you, or if you know who this could be, please get in touch.”

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A search of the area involving police specialist resources, working alongside colleagues from the Coastguard and Bowland Mountain Rescue, is continuing, the force said.

‘We just want her home’

Friends of Ms Bulley have told Sky News “we just want her home”.

Emma White said: “We’ve got two little girls wanting their mummy, so if anyone has any information please just come forward.”

She described Ms Bulley as “the kindest, beautiful, lovely human being inside and out”, adding that her partner, Paul, was “being strong as possible” for the couple’s two children, aged nine and six.

“We don’t know why she’s gone missing, where she is, we just want her home.”

Ms White and another friend, Heather Gibbons, have been part of a widespread community search following the disappearance of Ms Bulley.

“We want to hold onto the hope that no news is good news,” Ms Gibbons said.

“But knowing Nicky, we just know that if she could be at home with her girls we very firmly believe that is where she would be.”

“She’d do anything for anybody, she is so well-loved within the community and school community.”

Ms Gibbons added: “It feels very surreal. You just want to wake up from it because it feels like a nightmare, that’s what it is… a nightmare.”

Police said on Monday they were keeping an “open mind” about what happened but they do not believe Ms Bulley was attacked.

‘Perpetual hell’

Ms Bulley’s partner, Paul Ansell, said he spent all of Sunday searching for her.

Mr Ansell, an engineer, said: “It is just perpetual hell. It is just utter disbelief.”

“We are living through this but it doesn’t feel real,” he said from the family home in Inskip, Lancashire.

“All we can say is we need to find her. She’s got two little girls that need their mummy home.

“We have got to get some good news now.”

Ms Bulley, also known as Nikki, and Mr Ansell have been in a relationship for 12 years.

Police indicated she dropped her children, aged nine and six, to a local primary school before walking her dog on Friday.

“I got a call from the school regarding somebody who had found Willow, and Nikki’s phone and the dog lead and harness on the bench,” Mr Ansell, who then called the police, said.

“We take the kids to school and take the dog down there – either myself or Nikki – nearly every day.”

Ms Bulley, a mortgage adviser, is originally from Chelmsford, Essex and has lived in Lancashire for 25 years. Police said she speaks with an Essex accent.

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