(CNN) The body of missing British mother Nicola Bulley was identified by UK police on Monday, weeks after she disappeared while walking her dog in northern England in January.
Lancashire Police confirmed at a press conference on Monday that a body recovered from the River Wyre on Sunday, close to where 45-year-old Bulley was last seen, was his.
“Unfortunately, we are now able to confirm that yesterday we recovered Nicola Bulley from the River Wyre,” said Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson to reporters.
“Nicola’s family have been informed and are of course devastated. Our thoughts are with them at this time, as well as all her loved ones and the wider community,” he said.
The announcement capped a tumultuous and emotional few weeks when police faced widespread criticism of sexism in their investigation, and a social media frenzy over her absence set off basic claims and conspiracy theories.
Bulley, a mortgage adviser, went missing on the morning of Friday, January 27. Police said she was walking her dog after dropping her two children off at school.
Soon, his dog was found wandering alone and his phone was found on a bank next to the river, logged into a group work call. But for three weeks, a search launched by Lancashire Police has drawn a blank.
Detective Chief Superintendent Pauline Stables of Lancashire Police read a statement on behalf of Nicola’s family on Monday, in which they said the identification of the body confirmed their “worst fears.” “We can’t really understand what Nicky went through in his last moments,” it said.
“Our girls will get the support they need from the people who love them the most. It saddens us to think that one day we will have to explain to them that the press and members of the public have falsely accused their father act (and) misquoted. and taunted friends and family. It’s absolutely horrible. They need to be held accountable. This can’t happen to another family.,” the statement added.
Lancashire police officers have insisted throughout the investigation that there is no evidence to suggest third party involvement and their main working hypothesis remains that he fell into the River Wyre.
The case has baffled the public and attracted widespread media attention, with police also — unusually — choosing to reveal that Bulley was struggling with alcohol and menopause issues at the time of her disappearance.
Last week the investigators saw intense criticism from members of the public who they said were pedaling “persistent myths.”
Lancashire Police Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith told reporters on Wednesday that the social media frenzy had “significantly disrupted” the investigation. “In 29 years of police service, I’ve never seen anything like this,” Smith said.
Social media users “playing private detective” and pedaling “perpetuating myths” on Tik Tok are “significantly interfering” with the investigation, Smith told reporters last week.
The family also harshly rebuked journalists in their statement, criticizing some major UK media outlets as “disgraceful” for contacting the family directly when they “expressly asked for privacy.”
Lancashire Police’s decision to reveal personal details about Bulley has sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing the force of sexism. Even the government has been criticized by the police, with Home Secretary Suella Braverman raising concerns over its handling of the case.
Stephanie Benyon, a friend of Bulley’s whose children attend the same school, previously told CNN that he was a “kind, loyal and thoughtful person who adored his two girls and family and friends.” Bulley’s partner of 12 years, Paul Ansell, described the situation as an “endless hell.”