‘We will never be able to comprehend what Nikki went through in her last moments’ – Nicola Bulley’s devastated family say as police confirm body pulled from river WAS the missing mother-of-two
Nicola Bulley’s devastated family said police confirmed their ‘worst fears’ after officers said the body pulled from the River Wyre was the missing mother-of-two.
The 45-year-old was discovered on Sunday morning in the River Wyre in Lancashire, more than three weeks on from when she disappeared.
She had been walking her dog in St Michael’s on Wyre after dropping her daughters, aged six and nine, at school on January 27.
After Lancashire Police confirmed Ms Bulley’s body had been found, the force’s head of crime Detective Chief Superintendent Pauline Stables read a tribute from the mother-of-two’s family.
The statement read: ‘Our family liaison officers have had to confirm our worst fears today.
‘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.
‘Our girls will get the support they need from the people who love them the most.’
Paying further tribute to Ms Bulley at the end of their statement, the family added: ‘To those who genuinely helped and supported us, privately, we thank you.
‘The community support in St Michael’s, friends, neighbours and strangers has been nothing short of comforting and heart-warming. Friends you know who you are. Thank you.
‘Our hearts truly break for others who have missing loved ones. Keep that hope alive.
‘Finally, Nikki, you are no longer a missing person, you have been found, we can let you rest now.
‘We love you, always have and always will, we’ll take it from here.’
Police did not disclose the reasons it had taken 23 days to find her body in the river.
Nicola Bulley died by drowning
Nicola Bulley died as a result of drowning and there was no evidence she had been harmed before she fell into the water, her inquest has heard.
Two witnesses said they heard a scream where the 45-year-old was last seen in St Michael’s on Wyre on 27 January.
Her body was found in the River Wyre, about a mile away from where she went missing, more than three weeks later.
Experts told the hearing that entering cold water can cause a person to gasp and inhale water and drown in seconds.