Man Arrested Over Leaked Footage in Nicola Bulley Investigation
Suspect Held for Malicious Communications
Lancashire Police have arrested a 34-year-old man from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, on suspicion of malicious communications and perverting the course of justice. The arrest relates to the ongoing search for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley.
Nicola Bulley’s Body Found in River Wyre
On February 19, police recovered Nicola Bulley’s body from the River Wyre in Lancashire. The 45-year-old vanished on January 27 while walking her dog in St Michael’s on Wyre. Her phone, still on a business call, was later found abandoned on a bench beside a steep riverbank.
Leaked Footage Sparks Online Frenzy
The arrest follows the posting of footage taken inside a police cordon at the scene, which was shared online, stirring a wave of social media attention. The man was apprehended with help from West Mercia Police on Wednesday morning and has since been bailed under strict conditions.
“Our top priority is and has always been to help Nicola’s family and the wider St Michael’s community,” said Lancashire Police. “We hope this arrest provides reassurance that we take concerns seriously and will take appropriate action.”
Social Media Detectives Add Complications
The case attracted a swarm of online content creators to the quiet village, with social media algorithms reportedly fuelling intense interest by rewarding controversial posts. Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith warned that many users were “playing their own private detectives,” potentially complicating the official investigation.
