'Stained' glove found in hunt for missing Nicola Bulley yards from where she vanished

14 February 2023, 23:26 | Updated: 15 February 2023, 12:34

The searching for missing mum Nicola Bulley continues
The searching for missing mum Nicola Bulley continues. Picture: Alamy/Social media

By Emma Soteriou

A 'stained' glove has been found in the hunt for missing mum-of-two Nicola Bulley just yards away from where she vanished.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Ms Bulley, who has been missing for more than two weeks, was walking along a towpath near the river in fields by St Michael’s on Wyre on January 27 when she disappeared.

Only the 45-year-old's pet spaniel and her phone – still connected to her Teams call and left on a bench – was found.

But in a major update for the case, it has been revealed that a "stained" blue ski glove was also discovered in the field where she was last seen.

The key piece of evidence was handed to police and taken away in an evidence bag last week, according to the Sun.

Read more: Nicola Bulley's partner pleads with Mercedes to track missing mum-of-two's car keys

Read more: Two arrested after 'offensive' Nicola Bulley voicemail sent to councillor amid slew of late-night 'mystery calls'

Nicola Bulley went missing at the end of January
Nicola Bulley went missing at the end of January. Picture: Social media

Police originally theorised that Ms Bulley had fallen into the river, but her family and friends were quick to shut the idea down, saying there was "no evidence".

Lancashire Police said it stood by the theory on February 7 - the same day the glove was found by two walkers in the area, and the force is holding a press conference on Wednesday morning at 11.30.

You can watch the press conference live on Global Player.

A video of the discovery was initially shared on TikTok but has since been deleted, according to the paper.

One woman is believed to have said online: “Has anyone heard anything about the glove that was found in the early hours on the field she was last seen on the TikTok live?

“I was watching it live about 1am. A couple went on to the field last night, found a glove there with a stain on it?

"They reported it to the police and bagged it and gave it to an officer."

Police activity near the bench by the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre
Police activity near the bench by the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre. Picture: Alamy

A witness previously told the paper that he saw two mysterious men on January 26 who "seemed to want to hide their faces".

“I first saw the men at around 7.45am on my way to work on the Thursday, the day before Nicola Bulley vanished. I drive that way every day, so know the road well," he said.

“I saw two men wearing dark clothing and hoods or hats and ­carrying fishing rods.

“They could have been just two normal fishermen — and if I had seen their faces I probably wouldn’t have thought anything of it.

"I remembered that they seemed to want to hide their faces, which struck me as odd. It wasn’t particularly cold that day — it was quite mild, so their behaviour, to me, seemed strange."

The witness said he was driving through the village on the day Ms Bulley disappeared and thought he saw them again.

He recalled: “It was around the same time, 7.45am.

“This time it was just a glimpse, but I definitely saw one of them. I think I saw the second man, who was way ahead of the other, but I have been going over it a lot in my mind and I couldn’t swear my life on it."

Partner of missing mother Nicola Bulley appeals to public for more information

Ms Bulley and her partner
Ms Bulley and her partner. Picture: Social media

Read more: Police hunting missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley pay a visit to caravan park yards from river where she was last seen

Read more: 'Please don't give up hope': mother of murdered Libby Squire sends moving message of support to Nicola Bulley's partner

Meanwhile, Ms Bulley's partner, Paul Ansell, is understood to be growing "frustrated" with police over their stalling investigation.

It comes after he recently called for officers to widen their search to all nearby homes and outbuildings.

Mr Ansell told forensic expert Peter Faulding, who is supporting the family, of his frustrations.

"He's got a relationship with the police family liaison officers, but I think he's struggling to get answers that he wants," Mr Faulding told the Mail.

"He's got a line of communication with them, but I think there's a problem.

"He vented his frustrations to the family liaison officers last week in front of me when I was there. He said 'Why can't you go and search buildings in the village?'

"They said they can't because they need a search warrant. He said 'Well, you could just ask them.' People would happily let them in, the whole village is behind him.

"There's a feeling that there's just a lack of imagination and willpower. I don't want to be critical of police, but I'm just giving his thoughts really."

Mr Ansell has also urged Mercedes to track Ms Bulley's car keys as they were never found, despite her car remaining in a nearby car park.

Yellow ribbons and messages of hope tied to a bridge over the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre
Yellow ribbons and messages of hope tied to a bridge over the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre. Picture: Alamy

Handwritten messages on yellow ribbons left for missing mother Nicola Bulley

As the search continues, family and friends have been remaining hopeful, with a bridge across the River Wyre adorned with yellow ribbons.

Well-wishers have left hand-written "messages of hope" that she will be found unharmed in the village of St Michael's on Wyre.

Notes left behind included one saying "hope is the last thing ever lost" and another simply reading: "Nikki, I love you, come home".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

After she was arrested she told detectives the stabbing was “punishment”.

Al Qaida-inspired student who stabbed MP could walk free from prison

Bank Of England In The City Of London

UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April following Trump Tariffs hit - as Reeves brands figures 'disappointing'

Elderly women watching TV in outpatient clinic waiting room in NHS hospital. UK

NHS should ‘tear up the outpatient model’, health service chief executive says

Brian Wilson passed away aged 82.

Surviving Beach Boys pay tribute to songwriter ‘genius’ Brian Wilson

Palestinians carry boxes and bags containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization approved by Israel, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Controversial aid distributer accuses Hamas of carrying out attack on bus transporting Palestinians

A net balance of 28% of professionals reported seeing the number of sales agreed falling. Sales volumes are generally expected to flatten out rather than fall in the three months ahead, the survey indicated.

House sales tipped to bounce back with 'strongest outlook' since February - but buyer interest still slipping

Supporters of Dignity in Dying celebrate on hearing the result of the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London.

UK doctor says helping patients die in Australia is a ‘tremendous privilege’ and calls for law change at home

The body of Yair Yaakov, 59, has reportedly been recovered.

Two more hostages recovered by Israeli forces in Gaza, Netanyahu says

There were reports of vehicles being damaged and burned out, stolen cars, motorbikes being used and bricks thrown at officers amid the disorder, Greater Manchester Police said.

Girl, 16, charged with assaulting an emergency worker in Salford after ‘60 masked youths’ clash with police

The affected products include the Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, “Misfits” Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies, the FSA said.

'Don't eat them': Brits told to avoid popular American sweets linked to cancer amid 'toxicological concern'

A woman has been arrested after a four-year-old boy was found dead in Dunholme End.

Boy, 4, found dead inside Maidenhead home as police arrest woman on suspicion of murder

Exclusive
Caz Holbrook, 54, said 2023 was a "very stressful" year after her landlord evicted her and her 15-year-old son from their home in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

I was evicted after Liz Truss's budget tanked the economy – my son and I ended up in a beetle-infested flat

St Michael's Church, Mytholmroyd

Village church ordered to silence 'cherished' chiming bells after residents' complaints spark huge row

The Bridgerton actress said she has been left with a concussion and "on edge" - and the incident traumatised her dog.

Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour left 'traumatised' after fighting off phone thief who threatened to 'stab' her

Shopper walking through the aisle of a supermarket.

Deadly disease outbreak linked to 'contaminated' UK supermarket item

Demonstrators gathered outside Stoke Newington Police Station in protest against police in schools, after it emerged that a 15-year-old Black girl ('Child Q') was strip-searched by police at a Hackney school, which is thought to be racially motivated.

Officer who strip-searched black schoolgirl while she was on her period admits failings but denies racist motivation