Police debunk nine ‘persistent myths’ about Nicola Bulley’s disappearance including abandoned house, ‘shabby’ red van and glove as they accuse TikTok sleuths of distracting them from their work
- At extraordinary press conference this morning police ridiculed some theories
- Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith told of ‘persistent myths’ about case
After days of silence the police force searching for missing Nicola Bulley held an extraordinary public briefing this morning – debunking theories raging on her disappearance.
TikTokkers and armchair detectives had been obsessed with the case since the mother-of-two vanished without a trace on January 27 in St Michael’s on Wyre.
And the perceived lack of information coming from Lancashire Police during the so-far 19-day probe created a vacuum filled by commentary and a number of theories.
But today Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith told of ‘persistent myths’ about the case, at one point ridiculing one.
Here MailOnline goes through the now-discredited theories:
Police went through various theories in detail to explain why they were wrong and not valid
Det Supt Smith appeared to ridicule fisherman at the river (pictured) when Ms Bulley vanished could have been suspicious
The suspicious fishermen
Det Supt Smith gave short shrift to reports about a pair of fisherman who were said to have been acting strangely when Ms Bulley went missing.
She admitted she had not found the men in question but appeared to make fun of the idea they could have been involved in wrongdoing.
Det Supt Smith said: ‘There has also been mention of a number of fisherman who were seen that morning who again were described as suspicious.
‘I myself don’t find it suspicious that fisherman would be in the area of a river that morning or carrying fishing roads.
‘But there was some suggestion one of these men might have been covering their face. We have made a number of appeals for these fishermen to come forward.’
The abandoned house had been searched three times without Ms Bulley being found there
The derelict house
A large empty property located near where Ms Bulley, her mobile phone and the dog’s harness has fascinated the public.
It has been pictured online in viral posts and people have been repeatedly claiming it has not been looked through.
But Det Supt Smith disclosed that in fact the house had been carefully poured over by officers.
She revealed: ‘The derelict house which is across the other side of the river has been searched three times, with the permission of the owner.
‘Nicola is not in there.’
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said: ‘I would emphasise that it remains the case there is no evidence to indicate a criminal aspect or third party involvement in Nicola’s disappearance’.
Someone else was involved
The police made significant effort to stress they were not fixed in their view on what could have caused Ms Bulley’s disappearance.
But the force was also firm it still favoured the hypothesis she had tragically ended up in the river.
They said there was ‘no evidence to indicate a criminal aspect or third party involvement’.
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said: ‘I would emphasise that it remains the case there is no evidence to indicate a criminal aspect or third party involvement in Nicola’s disappearance.
‘However, the officers involved in the investigation are the same experienced specialists and many senior officers who are concerned with the investigation of the most serious and complex crimes.’
Det Supt Smith said red van driver had not been traced but she said that is was not suspicious
The red van
A red coloured transit van had been reported on and brought to the attention of the police force.
It said it did not believe it had been in the area at the crucial time of Ms Bulley’s disappearance.
Det Supt Smith said the driver had not been traced and she would like to speak to them.
But she added it was not being treated as suspcious: ‘The red van, we’re really grateful to members of the public for ringing into the inquiry, we wouldn’t have got this far without everyone’s help.
‘But it’s also really obvious that we are being inundated with false information, accusations and rumours which is distracting us from our work.’
The glove
Police say a glove found near to where Nicola Bulley disappeared does not belong to her.
The force said it was in its possession after it was handed in by members of the public.
Speaking at the press conference at Lancashire Police headquarters on Wednesday, senior investigating officer Detective Supt Rebecca Smith said: ‘In terms of the glove that has been recovered, you’ll no doubt be aware that TikTokers have been playing their own private detectives and have been in the area.
‘A glove has been recovered that is not believed to be relevant to the investigation.
‘It is not Nicola’s but we have got that in our possession.’
Ms Bulley had been on a work call when she went missing back on January 27 last month
The work call
Ms Bulley worked as a mortgage adviser and had been on a work call to her employers at the time.
Much had been made of the fact she had not been on camera or the microphone during the conversation.
But the police has insisted the situation had been entirely normal for the mother-of-two.
Having spoken to colleagues and family, they confirmed the meeting was ‘listen in’ only.
Ms Bulley was not expected to be on microphone or screen and never was in previous calls.
Willow, Nicola Bulley’s spaniel, who was with her when she vanished in St Michael’s-on-Wyre
Willow’s harness
Ms Bulley adored her dog Willow and would take her for a walk on the same route each day.
When the animal was found on its own on the river pathway, much was made by conspiracy theorists on why the harness was on the floor.
Some had suggested their could have been a dognapping gone wrong.
The police have insisted there is nothing suspicious about the lead.
Det Supt Smith addressed it, by disclosing: ‘It was really normal not for Willow to have her harness on in the field’
Police officers walk past the bench where Ms Bulley’s phone was found shortly after her disappearance
The mobile phone
The discovery of Ms Bulley’s phone on the bench near Willow had also sparked some outlandish theories.
They had included whether the handset may have been placed there as a distraction or even a sign she had been interrupted on the call.
But the fact it was not in Ms Bulley’s pocket when she vanished, was not an unusual occurrence.
She had always held it out in front of her when the Teams calls were going on as she walked.
Police say they eyewitness that saw her had confirmed she was doing this on the day she vanished.
Missing Nicola Bulley shown wearing her fitbit device, which could be crucial to the case
The Fitbit
Nicola had been into her exercise and fitness and like many others worn a Fitbit bracelet gadget.
Former detectives had suggested the device could be key into helping locate where she could be.
But police said the high-tech wearable could not assist them in tracking down the missing person.
Dept Supt Smith admitted ‘No further information can be gained because it wasn’t synced.’
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