TikTok issues statement vowing to take action against sleuths who disrupted Nicola Bulley search
TikTok vows to take action against sleuths who disrupted Nicola Bulley search and posted conspiracy theories about the mother on social media
- TikTok said they are ‘taking action’ against violations of its community guidelines
- Locals slammed ‘ghouls’ who descended on village where Nicola went missing
TikTok has vowed to take action against social media sleuths who disrupted the search for Nicola Bulley and posted distressing conspiracy theories about the mother-of-two online.
Yesterday, Lancashire Police confirmed a body found in the River Wyre in Lancashire was that of the 45-year-old mortgage adviser.
Her family released a heartbreaking statement in which they hit out at ‘press and members of the public’ who ‘accused their dad of wrongdoing, misquoted and vilified friends and family.’
They continued: ‘This is absolutely appalling, they have to be held accountable this cannot happen to another family.’
Since Ms Bulley vanished while working her dog along the St Michael’s on Wyre more than three weeks ago, on January 27, her case has attracted huge attention.
Nicola Bulley was ‘the centre of our world’, the family said in a statement read out by Lancashire Police at a press conference on Monday
The statement from the family said it saddened them that they would one day have to explain to Ms Bulley’s children that their father Paul Ansell (left) had been accused of vicious crimes
Locals have slammed ‘ghouls’ and amateur social media sleuths who have descended on the small Lancashire village where she went missing to investigate the case themselves.
Social media platform TikTok has been awash with videos speculating about her disappearance – including speculation, rumours and conspiracy theories.
TikTok said in a statement: ‘Our thoughts are with Ms Bulley’s family and friends at this difficult time. We have mobilised resources to monitor the evolving conversation about this case.
In a press conference this evening police did not disclose why it had taken 23 days to find Nicola Bulley’s body in the river
The police force came under fire after making Ms Bulley’s struggles with alcohol and perimenopause public (pictured on February 6)
There was an outpouring of loving support from across the country after the mother-of-two went missing in January
Police diver teams were pictured at the River Wyre after two walkers found the mother-of-two’s body
‘We are taking action against violations of our Community Guidelines, including removing content and accounts, and limiting the reach of some content by making it ineligible for recommendation.’
Yesterday, Ms Bulley’s heartbroken family gave an emotional statement after police confirmed the body pulled from the river was that of Ms Bulley’s.
They said: ‘We will never forget Nikki, how could we, she was the centre of our world, she was the one who made our lives so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that.
Nicola Bulley’s devastated family made a vow to the mother-of-two that her two daughters will ‘get the support they need from the people that love us the most’
‘Our girls will get the support they need from the people who love them the most.
‘Our family liaison officers have had to confirm our worst fears today.
‘We will never be able to comprehend what Nikki had gone through in her last moments and that will never leave us.’
The family added: ‘To those who genuinely helped and supported us, privately, we thank you.
‘The community support in St Michael’s, friends, neighbours and strangers has been nothing short of comforting and heart-warming. Friends you know who you are. Thank you.
‘Our hearts truly break for others who have missing loved ones. Keep that hope alive.
‘Finally, Nikki, you are no longer a missing person, you have been found, we can let you rest now.
‘We love you, always have and always will, we’ll take it from here.’
Nicola’s body was discovered by a self-confessed ‘psychic’ at around 11.36am Sunday in the River Wyre in Lancashire.
Last week, Lancashire Police released more details about the day Ms Bulley disappeared, including that she was classed as a ‘high-risk’ missing person from the start of the investigation due to having ‘specific vulnerabilities’.
Police then revealed she had ‘significant issues’ with alcohol brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause.
Investigators said it had taken the ‘unusual step’ to disclose this level of detail as it was ‘important to clarify what we meant when we talked about vulnerabilities to avoid any further speculation or misinterpretation’.