The family of Nicola Bulley have said they will 'never forget' her as 'the one who made our lives so special' after police confirmed her body was recovered from the River Wyre.
In a statement read at a Lancashire Police press conference this evening, the family of the 45-year-old mother said they “will never be able to comprehend what Nikki had gone through in her last moments”, adding “that will never leave us”.
Nicola Bulley went missing three weeks ago after dropping her daughters off at school on January 27. Yesterday, police confirmed a body had been found in the River Wyre near to where Nicola vanished, but did not formally identify her.
READ MORE: Nicola Bulley latest updates as police confirm body found in River Wyre is missing mum
In a statement, Nicola's family said: "Our family liason officers have had to confirm our worst fears today. We will never be able to comprehend what Nicky had gone through in her last moments, and that will never leave us.
"We will never forget Nicky, 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. 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 profits. 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, thank you. The community support in St Michael's - friends, neighbours, and strangers - has been nothing short of comforting and heartwarming. Friends, you know who you are, thank you.
"Our hearts truly break for others who are 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 will take it from here."
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Lancashire Police assistant chief constable Peter Lawson said: “Sadly, we are now able to confirm that yesterday we recovered Nicola Bulley from the River Wyre.
“Nicola’s family have been informed and are of course devastated. Our thoughts are with them at this time as well as with all her loved ones and the wider community.
“We recognise the huge impact that Nicola’s disappearance has had on her family and friends, but also on the people of St Michael’s.
“We would like to thank all of those who have helped during what has been a hugely complex and highly emotional investigation.
“Today’s development is not the outcome any of us would have wanted, but we hope that it can at least start to provide some answers for Nicola’s loved ones, who remain foremost in our thoughts.”
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