Nicola Bulley cops are searching river for ‘missing object’, says ex-pathologist
Investigators in the death of Nicola Bulley are looking for a "specific artefact" as they open a new search in the area where she was found, an ex-forensic pathologist claimed.
The mum-of-two, 45, was last seen walking her dog Willow near the river Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, prompting a manhunt involving police, firefighters, mountain rescue, underwater teams and members of the public.
Her body was tragically found on February 19, just more than a mile from where she was last seen before her disappearance on January 27.
READ MORE: Nicola Bulley police confirm reason for new river search on stretch where mum died
Specialist divers have now returned to the scene to continue searching for evidence to help them better understand what happened.
Dr Richard Shepherd, a forensic pathologist who has worked on high-profile cases such as Stephen Lawrence and was called as an expert for Harold Shipman's trial, believes police are looking for a particular missing item.
Dr Shepherd told the Mirror: "I'm really struggling to see what they could be looking, for now, that would affect or influence the cause of death.
"When Nicola's body was found it would have been taken to the morgue and a formal post-mortem would have been carried out where it would have looked for natural diseases, any injuries, and samples would have been taken for alcohol drugs."
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He added: "My guess is there is something like an artefact of some sort that they are trying to make sure to find it.
"My feeling is they are looking for something specific."
When asked if he thought police might be trying to recreate her disappearance, he said this was unlikely as rivers are so "variable", making it impossible to repeat the exact sequence of events that lead to her death.
Police confirmed earlier this week a search would continue to help police and Ms Bulley's family better understand how she died ahead of an inquest hearing in June.
A spokesman for HM Coroner told Lancashire Post: “The investigation will take time to complete to ensure that as complete a picture as possible of the facts concerning Ms Bulley's death is presented at the inquest.
"This will assist the family in understanding what occurred.
"As part of this process, HM Senior Coroner has requested Lancashire Constabulary produce information gathered during the search for Ms Bulley so it can be considered as part of the investigation.”
A police spokesperson added: “We can confirm this is us carrying out some work at the direction of HM Coroner."
Ms Bulley's body was finally found after a tip-off from two walkers prompted divers to investigate the area.
The inquest into her death was opened on February 22, where Ms Bulley was identified by her dental records.
Opening the inquest, senior coroner Dr James Adeley said: "I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities, and more, that positive identification has been made."
The next hearing will take place on Monday, June 26 at County Hall in Preston, and it is hoped the new search, requested by the HM Coroner and carried out by specialist divers, will finally provide her family with much-needed answers about what happened to Ms Bulley.
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