Nicola Bulley's partner Paul Ansell recalls the phone call that caused his world to 'drop'
14.02.2023 - 17:27
/ msn.com
Nicola Bulley has shared the moment his "world just dropped" after receiving a phone call that the mum-of-two was missing. Paul Ansell spoke about the phone call during an interview for Channel 5. He sat down with Dan Walker for the interview during a 75-minute documentary last week.
"The phone rang and it was the school," he told the BBC Strictly Come Dancing star. Nicola, 45, of Inskip, Lancashire, went missing on January 27 in nearby St Michael's on Wyre. Paul added: "The receptionist said, 'Mr Ansell, it's a bit of a weird one but we found Willow and Nikki's phone on a bench and the harness halfway down the embankment on the floor'.
It's like your world just drops out because you know something weird has happened. ""I still expected obviously to just have a look around and there she is or, or there she is. " He continued: "The police rang me while I was at the bench and said, 'look, you've got to get home'.
"I was obviously extremely worried and concerned but I still expected any second they'd just go, 'oh, found her'. That never happened. The day just then spiralled and the end of the day came and, no answers.
"It comes as the search continues for the missing mum who has not been seen since January 27. Messages have been left along a footbridge that crosses the River Wyre which has been searched extensively. "We need you home, Nicola," "praying for your safe return," and "I love you" are among the ribbons that have been tied to a footbridge.
Nicola's image was also shown prominently on a poster fastened to the railings. Her partner, Paul Ansell, was also spotted putting a yellow ribbon on the bridge. On Friday, he said he and his family have been going through "unprecedented hell" since she disappeared on a Friday
.