Nicola Bulley’s family pay tribute to mum-of-two following yesterday’s tragic news

Nicola Bulley’s family paid tribute to the mum-of-two after police confirmed their worst fears that the body retrieved from the River Wyre on Sunday belonged to her.

In a press conference held at 5.30pm yesterday, Lancashire Police released a statement by the family which paid tribute to ‘the one who made our lives so special’ and expressed their anger at the ‘shameful’ mistreatment and portrayal of them by the UK press.

They added that it ‘saddens’ them they will one day have to tell Ms Bulley’s and Mr Ansell’s two young daughters of what was said of their dad by news outlets, amidst widespread speculation during the ongoing search for Ms Bulley.

The family went on to speak about how they had their privacy intruded for media companies to make profits — mentioning in particular Sky News and ITV for contacting them when a body was recovered from the water and the family had ‘expressly asked for privacy’ during their excruciating wait for a formal identification to be made.

They thanked friends and members of the community for supporting them through such a difficult time and ended where they began; by speaking of their love for her. Officers made it clear that they would not be taking any questions at this point and Ms Bulley’s death is currently described as ‘unexplained’ by police while an autopsy takes place. 

Detective chief superintendent Pauline Stables read the following statement outside Lancashire Constabulary Headquarters, on behalf on Ms Bulley’s family: “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. And it saddens us to think that one day we will have to explain to them that the press and members of the public accused their dad of wrongdoing, misquoted and vilified friends and family.

“This is absolutely appalling — they have to be held accountable. This cannot happen to another family. We tried last night to take in what we had been told in the day, only to have Sky News and ITV making contact with us directly when we expressly asked for privacy.

“They again, have taken it upon themselves to run stories about us to sell papers and increase their own profiles. It is shameful they have acted in this way. Leave us alone now. Do the press and other media channels and so called professionals not know when to stop? These are our lives and our children’s lives.

“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 xx”.