Nicola Bulley Cause of Death Revealed, Who was Nicola Bulley?
by P Nandhini
Updated Jun 26, 2023
Who was Nicola Bulley?
Nicola Bulley resided in St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire and worked as a 45-year-old mortgage adviser. She was also a devoted mother of two. According to Paul Ansell, her partner, Nicola was a joyful, affectionate person who was incredibly loyal as a friend and an exceptional mother. Nadia Fell, a friend of Nicola, described her as the most incredible mother and highlighted her consistent involvement in school-related activities such as the PTA.
During the later stages of the search, the police controversially disclosed that Nicola had been facing challenges related to alcohol use and symptoms of the peri-menopause before she went missing.
Nicola Bulley Cause of Death Revealed
She died as a result of drowning and was alive when she fell into the water, the Home Office pathologist then said. Earlier this month, the police who were involved in the investigation of Nicola Bulley's disappearance released a statement to address and dispel any "speculation." This statement came after the officers returned to the River Wyre in Lancashire, where her body was discovered. The police made this return visit approximately six weeks after the discovery, in preparation for an upcoming inquest into her death. The inquest is scheduled to take place on Monday, 26 June, at County Hall in Preston.
In their statement, Lancashire Constabulary clarified the reason for their return to the scene. Nicola Bulley, who worked as a mortgage adviser, had gone missing on 27 January after she was last seen walking her dog near the River Wyre. The police's decision to revisit the area was likely part of their ongoing efforts to gather additional evidence and information related to the case.
When was Nicola Bulley found?
Following an extensive search that led detectives to Morecambe Bay, Nicola Bulley's body was discovered on 19 February, approximately one mile downstream from a bench where her phone had been found abandoned. In early April, a diving team was observed in the River Wyre, as Lancashire Police stated that officers were engaged in activities "on the direction of HM coroner."
Nevertheless, a spokesperson from Lancashire Constabulary addressed the need to address "misinformed speculation" regarding the police's actions in the River Wyre. The police clarified that the police divers were requested by the Senior Coroner to assess the riverbanks near the location where Ms. Bulley went missing. They emphasized that there were no further searches being conducted within the river or along its banks.
In light of these developments, it is essential to examine all the available information about Nicola Bulley's disappearance, as well as the subsequent events that have unfolded.
What really happened to Nicola Bulley?
On Friday, 27 January, Nicola Bulley was last seen near the River Wyre at around 9:20 am. Prior to that, she had dropped off her six and nine-year-old daughters at the local school. It was reported that she was walking her springer spaniel named Willow along the river during that time. During her walk, she had sent an email and participated in a work call, which lasted for about 30 minutes. Interestingly, she remained logged into the call even after it ended. Later, another dog walker discovered her mobile phone and dog near a bench.
A thorough search effort was launched to locate Ms. Bulley, with specialized diving teams scanning the river. Police even extended their investigation to Morecambe Bay, considering the possibility that her body might have been swept out to sea. However, it took 23 days before her body was eventually found on 19 February. It was discovered in a dense area of vegetation and branches near a river bend, approximately one mile away from the bench where her phone and dog were found.
Over six weeks later, on 4 April, police divers were spotted in the River Wyre. A brief video clip of their activity was uploaded to YouTube. Lancashire Police issued a statement clarifying that they were conducting this operation under the direction of the Senior Coroner. The purpose of their work was not specified. An inquest into Nicola Bulley's death has been scheduled for 26 June, aiming to provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding her tragic passing.
Nicola Bulley Live
On 17 February, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), a public body responsible for information rights, initiated an investigation into the Lancashire Constabulary following the disclosure of Ms. Bulley's personal information. Lancashire Constabulary has stated that the ICO concluded no enforcement action was necessary. However, the College of Policing has launched its own review, which will specifically examine this revelation.
Andrew Snowden, the police and crime commissioner for Lancashire, has mentioned that the review will encompass various aspects. This includes assessing the operational response during the high-risk missing person investigation, evaluating the force's interaction with the press, and examining the decision-making process regarding the disclosure of sensitive personal information. The findings and recommendations from this review are expected to be made public in the autumn.
Additionally, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) conducted a separate investigation into an officer's contact with Ms. Bulley before her disappearance. The IOPC found no misconduct but provided guidance to both the officer and the force regarding body-worn camera protocol and recording information on police systems. It was noted that on 10 January, police accompanied health workers to Ms. Bulley's residence in a multi-agency vehicle, approximately two weeks before she was last seen. The purpose of the visit, as stated by the force, was related to her "alcohol issues."
The IOPC identified two areas of improvement for the officer, specifically concerning the activation of body-worn video and recording information on police systems. They also recommended that the force update its guidance documents for multi-agency vehicles to enhance officers' understanding of their roles. Furthermore, they suggested that broader guidance be provided to officers dealing with similar situations.
Nicola Bulley Cause of Death Revealed - FAQs
Nicola Bulley was a 45-year-old mortgage adviser and devoted mother of two residing in St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire.
Nicola was described as a joyful, affectionate person and an exceptional mother by her partner, Paul Ansell. Nadia Fell, a friend, also highlighted her incredible mothering qualities and consistent involvement in school-related activities.
During the later stages of the search, it was controversially revealed that Nicola was struggling with alcohol use and symptoms of the peri-menopause before she went missing.
Nicola Bulley's body was discovered on 19 February, approximately 23 days after she went missing. It was found in a dense area of vegetation and branches near a river bend, around one mile away from the bench where her phone and dog were discovered.
The police returned to the River Wyre in Lancashire approximately six weeks after the discovery of Nicola Bulley's body. They did so in preparation for an upcoming inquest into her death, scheduled to take place on 26 June.