It’s like she has vanished into thin air
Sister’s agony over missing Nicola as one week passes
Christine Bowman has spoken to police
THE sister of missing Nicola Bulley has described being “stuck in a nightmare”, as one local dog walker revealed that women are now fearful of going out.
Mum-of-two Nicola, 45, disappeared a week ago as she walked her dog Willow along the River Wyre in the town of St Michaels, Lancashire.
In a family TV interview, her sister, Louise Cunningham, 44, yesterday said: “If I’m being honest, it feels like I’m just stuck in a nightmare.
“We’re going round and round in circles trying to piece together what could have possibly happened. It’s like she’s just vanished into thin air.
“We just want her home, we need her home, her children need her home. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.”
Yesterday, Lancashire Police issued pictures of a dog walker who they thought could be another potentially key witness in the mysterious case.
But the woman photographed, Christine Bowman, 68, told the Mirror she was baffled by the appeal as she had already spoken to police on the day of the disappearance and “doesn’t know anything”. Police later confirmed she had been identified.
Retired teacher Ms Bowman told the Mirror how some female villagers have since become wary of walking the same route alone.
She said: “It has made local women fearful. If they have husbands or partners, they have been taking the dogs out instead.”
Yesterday, police divers concentrated on a small stretch by the bench where the mortgage adviser’s phone was found.
In the morning, fire crews had used a 20ft probe camera to look underwater at the banks and river bed.
Soon afterwards, the underwater police unit was sent out and were seen diving in the same area for several hours.
In the Sky News interview, Nicola’s dad Ernie, 73, said: “This has emptied our lives, we feel so empty.”
Louise added: “My hope is she still is out there and she has had to take herself off for whatever reason.
“There has got to be someone who knows something.
“All we are asking is no matter how small or big, if there is something you can remember that doesn’t seem right, please reach out to the police.
“Please get in touch and get my sister back.”
Speaking directly to her sister, she said: “If you are out there, please let us know that you are OK.
“We can sort anything out, we just want you home.”
We just need her home, her children need her home...
LOUISE CUNNINGHAM ON THOUGHTS OF FAMILY