What Happened to Nicola Bulley? All We Know About the Lancashire Mother-of-Two’s Death

Police Investigation and Statement

Police investigating the disappearance of Nicola Bulley issued a statement earlier this month to address speculation surrounding her case. They returned to the River Wyre in Lancashire, where her body was found, ahead of an inquest into her death scheduled for Monday, 26 June.

The Disappearance of Nicola Bulley

Nicola Bulley, a 45-year-old mortgage adviser and mother-of-two from St Michael’s on Wyre in Lancashire, went missing on 27 January. She was last seen walking her dog near the River Wyre. An intensive search ensued, and her body was discovered on 19 February, about a mile downstream from where her phone had been left.

Family’s Reaction

After Nicola Bulley’s body was found, her family released a statement expressing their grief and acknowledging her struggles. They mentioned that they could now let her rest but emphasized that she will never be forgotten.

Police Controversy and Review

Lancashire Constabulary faced criticism for disclosing elements of Bulley’s private life during the search, including her struggles with alcohol and peri-menopause. The handling of the case led to a full independent review by the College of Policing. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) also investigated a police officer’s contact with Bulley before her disappearance.

Ongoing Investigations and Review Findings

The ICO concluded that no enforcement action was required, though the College of Policing launched its own review. The review will consider the operational response to the high-risk missing person investigation and the force’s engagement with the press. The IOPC’s investigation found no misconduct but identified areas of learning for the officer involved.

As the inquest into Nicola Bulley’s death approaches, there are still questions surrounding the police’s handling of the case. With ongoing investigations and reviews, more clarity is expected in the coming months as authorities seek to learn from this tragic incident.