Nearly three years after Nicola Bulley vanished, the tragic case continues to draw attention, with new claims suggesting her body may have been located far sooner than originally thought.
Peter Faulding, a leading underwater search expert, has shared sonar footage that he says proves he found Nicola within just six minutes of scanning the River Wyre in February 2023—an assertion that reignites debate over how the investigation was handled.
The Sonar Discovery
For the first time, Faulding revealed footage from his high-frequency sonar scan taken on February 7, 2023, showing what he believes to be Nicola’s body lying in the river.
Independent expert Neil McDonagh, a top UK sonar operator, examined the images and concluded the shapes seen in the footage “certainly appear human,” noting features that resemble a torso, limbs, and a head.
Faulding’s device, a £55,000 high-frequency sonar towed alongside a dinghy, captured a detailed view of the riverbed, which he says proves the water was shallow and slow-moving—contradicting claims that Nicola could have been swept away.
Questions Over Police Search
Faulding alleges that Lancashire Police dismissed his findings and prevented him from conducting further dives, despite repeatedly offering assistance.
He claims that when a police diver investigated the area, they failed to locate her and reported either “nothing” or mistook the sonar anomaly for a tree branch.
He and McDonagh argue that the riverbed around the target remained undisturbed, suggesting the search was incomplete.
Faulding also says he sent the data to the police and the College of Policing, but received no response.
Conflicting Expert Opinions
The College of Policing stands by its 2023 review of the case, insisting the area flagged by Faulding was properly searched.
They cited input from an unnamed government sonar specialist who reportedly had “low confidence” that the images depicted a human body.
Faulding disputes this, emphasizing that sonar shadows provide clear evidence of an object in the water, and he challenges the credibility of decisions made based on a PDF image rather than live data.
Faulding’s Perspective
Peter Faulding maintains that Nicola’s body was likely located near a small island in the River Wyre, rather than the bench area where her phone was found.
He notes that the shallow water at the bench could not account for an accidental fall into the river, given Nicola’s familiarity with the area and strong swimming ability.
Faulding emphasizes that his aim in speaking out is not to upset Nicola’s family but to advocate for improvements in missing-person investigations.
He highlights that only eleven dedicated underwater search units remain across the UK, and many police forces now lack proper equipment or personnel to conduct rapid searches.
Timeline of the Disappearance
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January 27, 2023: Nicola left home with her two daughters, walked her dog Willow near the River Wyre, and was last seen around 9:10 a.m.
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January 28–31: Police launched extensive searches with drones, helicopters, dogs, and local volunteers.
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February 2–5: Underwater units and mountain rescue teams scoured the river. A key witness came forward, and police focused on the bench area.
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February 6–7: Faulding arrived on site and conducted sonar scans. Police allegedly rejected further investigation by his team.
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February 19: A dog walker discovered Nicola’s body in the River Wyre.
Calls for Scrutiny
Faulding and McDonagh suggest the investigation deserves renewed scrutiny, questioning whether the full potential of sonar technology was utilized and why crucial evidence was not acted upon sooner.
They contend that families in similar situations deserve faster, more effective searches and better use of specialist expertise.
Impact on Public Perception
The handling of the case, including the release of Nicola’s private medical information, sparked public debate and criticism.
Faulding’s repeated offers of assistance, the sonar evidence, and conflicting expert opinions highlight ongoing tension between independent search efforts and official procedures.