Nicola Bulley latest — Inquest rules on cause of death as family reveal her future plans before tragic accident
MOTHER-OF-TWO Nicola Bulley drowned after entering cold river water in what a coroner has ruled an accidental death.
Nicola's disappearance after her mobile was found on a bench next to a river and today marked the second and final day of the inquest.
During proceedings, Nicola's emotional family gave evidence ahead of the coroner's decision.
Nicola's partner Paul Ansell told how Nicola was planning to take their daughter to a gymnastics competition the following day
While her sister, Louise Cunningham, sobbed as she recalled plans the pair had made to visit a spa together.
Read our Nicola Bulley blog below for the latest updates...
Pathologist tells court that Nicola Bulley had not been drinking before death
Pathologist Dr Alison Armour said today it is her belief that Nicola Bulley had not been drinking before her death.
The chief coroner asked: "At the time of her death she had no alcohol in her bloodstream?”
Dr Armour replied: “That’s my opinion.”
A picture of the scenes shared in court
A picture of the area where Nicola Bulley is believed to have entered the war has been shared.
Diving expert Matthew Thackray pointed to an area of loose mud and grass at the scene.
'Very low levels of alcohol' found in Nicola Bulley's blood
Today, the court heard that "very low levels of alcohol” were found in Ms Bulley’s blood.
Dr Armour said these indicated alcohol levels “in my opinion, consistent with microbiological post-mortem activity”.
She said that these levels of alcohol are created by bacteria when a person dies.
Next witness to give evidence
PC Matthew Thackray of Lancashire Police is now set to give evidence in today's inquest.
The police officer is a diving expert and has eight years of experience in the field.
Nicola was 'alive when she entered the water'
Pathologist Dr Alison Armour told the court today: “Ms Bulley was alive when she entered the water - because it is an active process to swallow and inhale water into lungs.
"My opinion as to the cause of death is that it was drowning.”
Nicola Bulley cause of death revealed as inquest into missing mum’s death begins
Nicola Bulley died from drowning and was alive when she entered the water before she vanished, an inquest heard today.
The mum-of-two, 45, was last seen in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on January 27.
disappearance sparked a social media frenzy as ghouls descended on the village to solve the mystery.
Tragically, her body was found in the river on February 19 - three weeks after she .
What happened on the day Nicola Bulley went missing?
Here is a timeline of what we know occurred on the day Nicola Bulley went missing.
Warning given for sensitive content
Dr Alison Armour, the Home Office pathologist, has shared a warning that some details of the inquest may be graphic.
Dr Armour spoke of the wounds Nicola Bulley suffered.
Extra security in place
The coroner Dr James Adeley said "additional security provisions" have been put in place by police and the county council.
He added: "This is to ensure the safety of everyone attending the inquest."
He went on to warn attendees not to disrupt proceedings.
Inquest is 'not to address social media speculation'
The coroner has spoken of the intense social media and media speculation around Nicola Bulley's case.
The coroner said the inquest "is not designed to address social media issues” nor “to advance theories those on social media contribute to”.
The coroner added: “If anyone has the slightest idea of disrupting this inquest, they should be aware that this should amount to contempt of court.”
Dr James Adeley passed on his condolences to the family
Dr James Adeley said: "I am sorry that you are attending court under these circumstances.
"You have my deepest condolences and I would be grateful if you would pass that onto the children who are not in court for obvious reasons.
"I am aware that the social media and press interest has been extensive."
Inquest has started
The inquest into Nicoal Bulley's death has started.
Coroner Dr James Adeley took his seat at the front of the council chamber and passed on his condolences to her family.
Peter Faulding speaks out
Peter Faulding has spoken out ahead of today’s inquest and hopes “answers are provided”.
He said: “Our thoughts are with Nicola’s family and close friends, and we hope that the upcoming inquest into the death of Nicola Bulley provides the answers they are seeking and deserve. SGI were called to assist in the search for Nicola Bulley by Lancashire Constabulary following a request for SGI by the family.
“SGI or Peter Faulding have not been requested to attend the inquiry or submit any evidence or statements for the inquest into the death of Nicola Bulley.”
Nicola Bulley's partner Paul Ansell arrives
Paul Ansell is the latest to arrive at Nicola Bulley's inquest.
Nicola’s long term partner, Paul Ansell, is listed to speak tomorrow alongside her sister Louise Cunningham.
Where was Nicola Bulley’s body found?
A map shows the location where police found Nicola Bulley’s body.
The remains were spotted by dog walkers who frantically phoned police – sparking a massive response.
Cops confirmed the body belonged to Nicola Bulley.
How long will today's inquest be?
Today's inquest will pause at 1pm for a break, but is expected to continue until 4/5pm.
The inquest will then resume tomorrow morning at 10am.
Paul Ansell is listed to speak on Tuesday at inquest
Nicola Bulley's inquest is expecting to hear from 16 witnesses today.
The list of witnessed includes a Home Office pathologist, a specialist in body recovery from water, a leading detective from Lancashire Police and location experts who analysed Ms Bulley’s FitBit.
Nicola's long term partner, Paul Ansell, is listed to speak tomorrow.
Inquest to begin into Nicola Bulley's death
The inquest will set out to answer four key questions.
Who the deceased was, when and where they died, the medical cause of their death and how they came by their death.
Inquest hearings are based entirely around facts and do not deal with blame or responsibility.
Police to face NO action for releasing mum’s medical info
Nicola Bulley cops have been cleared by a watchdog after releasing the mum’s medical information.
The force had come under fire for revealing painfully personal details of Nicola’s struggle with alcohol and the menopause.
They confirmed she had “vulnerabilities” at the time she went missing and was a high-risk missing person.
But the Information Commissioner’s Office will not be taking any enforcement action against Lancashire Police over its disclosure of missing mother Nicola Bulley’s personal information, the force has said.
What happened on January 27?
Nicola began her walk along the towpath to the River Wyre at 8.43am after dropping her two children off at school.
Police say around seven minutes later, a dog walker who knows Nicola saw her walking around the lower field with her springer spaniel Willow.
The witness said their two dogs interacted briefly before she left Nicola via the river path.
At 8.53am, the mum sent an email to her boss at Exclusively Mortgages.
She then logged into a Teams call at 9.01am and was seen around nine minutes later on the upper field walking Willow.
Police say at 9.30am, the work call ended but Nicola stayed logged on.
At around 9.35am, the mobile and Willow were found at a bench by the river but there was no sign of Nicola.
She was reported missing and Lancashire Police launched a probe.
‘No alarm bells’ rang for Nicola Bulley cops at welfare check
When police visited Nicola Bulley's house three weeks before she vanished "no alarm bells were ringing", a source says.
Just days before the mum-of-two's body was found police revealed they had previously rushed to her family home for a welfare check.
A source told The Sun "no alarm bells were ringing" after the officer and health professionals went to the 45-year-old's home that day.
When did the inquest open?
An inquest into the death of tragic Nicola Bulley was formally opened in February.
The mum-of-two, 45, was discovered on the banks of the River Wyre - 23 days after she first vanished.
An inquest opened on February 22 at 12pm at Preston Coroner's Court.
No cause of death was released during the brief hearing, which was not attended by Nicola's family.
The court was told the mum-of-two had to be identified through her dental records.
The inquest was adjourned ahead of a full hearing set to begin today.
Who is Paul Ansell?
Paul Ansell is the long-term partner of Nicola Bulley.
The couple had been together for 12 years and have two daughters together.
He lives in Lancashire, where Paul works as an engineer.
Dog walker recalls the moment he found Nicola’s phone
Ron was walking his dog in the same area where the mum-of-two was last seen.
The dog walker said he gave a full statement to the police after finding Nicola’s phone on a bench in the park at around 9:30am on Friday 27 January.
Reflecting on the find, Ron told : “I’d seen both owners of Willow walking this dog in the past, but while I knew their faces I didn’t know their names.”
He added that when he first found the phone he thought “somebody had gone to toilet”.
How does being high risk affect a missing person search?
Police will deploy resources immediately in the search for a high-risk missing person.
They will only delay in exceptional circumstances, such as searching water or forested areas in the dark.
A senior officer will be involved in the pursuit of all initial lines of inquiry and the Missing Persons Bureau will be notified immediately, as will child services if the person is under 18.
Cops will put in place a media strategy and cooperate with outside agencies closesly.
They will also provide support to the family where appropriate.
