@Baileysandcream
Re: SIX people at the bench
Interesting about the 'dog tying' witness approaching directly, not through kissing gate?
They would be very close to the gate which Nicola and abductor would have to pass through close to the same time (?) Risky for the abductor plus the initial witness may well have heard any scuffle or disturbance assuming in area very close at the same time?
As to 6 people in the area at the time and the source:
www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/nicola-bulley-laughing-joking-just-26135864
- As to the first two, as seemingly the same 'anonymous friend' is quoted throughout, I do attribute this quote to her. She interacted with a couple who were the last to see Nicola? She is recounting an earlier encounter with a couple that saw Nicola, presumably giving this testimony to the police for their records:
A friend who wishes to stay anonymous, told the Mirror she has spoken to a pair who believe they were the last people to see Nicola before she went missing. She said: "They say she was laughing and joking with them as she went by '
- This same 'friend', presumably, especially the article does mention another (?) goes on to say as below ( she did not hang around due to her 'appointment' ) SO, this has to be close to the very precise (?) 9:33am time and her 'tying up of dog'
She [so still same anonymous friend, then I assume] went on to say TWO OTHER dog walkers later came across her phone and recognised the screensaver photo. She said they all were unable to unlock the phone.
So including her, FIVE so far...I make it...
THEN...
She came through a gate onto the towpath [You say, ANOTHER gate, not kissing gate? just trying to clarify] but became suspicious when she saw the harness and lead on the floor. A man then came through behind her with his dog and spotted the phone.
"The gent has looked on the floor and two feet from the bench there’s a phone," she said. "I think she’s either been faffing about at the edge of the river because the dog’s been smelling fishing bait and she’s slipped or she’s had a medical episode."
[Was this elderly man with fluffy dog? Was he found and spoken to? Or was that someone else}?
Taking the total to SIX, including her:
The woman said: "I saw the dog and I recognised it, but I suddenly couldn't think whose dog it was.
The woman adds:
“It’s such an isolated area, the only way that has happened is if it was someone who knew her.”
Even if fewer than the SIX, there WERE six on the scene half an hour before or close to that time, and no doubt many more later. PA mentions when he arrived on scene there were quite a few dog walkers. Too many witnesses for any stalker to strike I feel, in generally a busy period of 'dog walking rush hour', unless someone who wanted to do this in a small window for a particular malicious thrill (?) ..Horrible again, as that is to contemplate.
BUT the balance of probabilities say that a lurking, obsessed stalker with a meticulous plan (Looks that way if so?) is very unlikely I feel.
The 'dog tying up' witness was quick to point out that the culprit must be someone who knew Nicola (?)
It wasn't the quietest time, although sadly, I do know these things can happen at busier periods in theory.