Nicola Bulley's family hit out at 'appalling' threats to 'sell stories' about missing mum

Nicola Bulley's family have spoken out about the "appalling threats" they've received from people saying they will sell stories about the missing mum's life. The 45-year-old mum vanished while walking her dog, Willow, by the River Wyre in Lancashire exactly three weeks ago today.

So far, no trace of her has been found with Lancashire Police searching miles of riverbed and widening the search to Morecambe Bay. This week detectives revealed she had been considered a "high-risk" missing person due to "specific vulnerabilities", which the force last night clarified related to alcohol issues.

In an unusual move, police released a new statement from Nicola's family expanding more on the medical issues she faced before her disappearance. In it, the family claimed some people had threatened to sell stories to the press, adding that it 'needs to stop', Liverpool Echo reports.

READ MORE: Nicola Bulley latest updates as family releases new statement calling for end to 'appalling' speculation

The statement said: "It has now been three weeks since Nikki went missing. We, as a family, believe that the public focus has become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her private life.

"As a family, we were aware that Lancashire Police, last night, released a statement with some personal details. Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there threatening to sell stories about her. This is appalling and needs to stop.

"The police know the truth about Nikki and now the public need to focus on finding her. Due to the peri menopause Nikki suffered with significant side effects such as brain fog, restless sleep and was taking HRT to help but this was giving her intense