Nicola Bulley died accidentally after falling into cold water, the coroner at her inquest has concluded.
Ms Bulley, 45, vanished after dropping off her daughters, six and nine, at school, and taking her usual dog walk along the River Wyre in St Michael’s, Lancashire, on 27 January.
Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, recorded her death as accidental as she fell into the river and suffered “cold water shock”, ruling out suicide.
Earlier, her partner Paul Ansell said that despite a “blip” in her mental health she was “back to herself” and had plans for the year ahead.
Her family’s lawyer told the hearing at County Hall, Preston, they believed her death was “a tragic accident” and any rumours or speculation about what caused her death had been “allayed” by the evidence.
Ms Bulley’s mobile phone was still connected to a work Teams call when it was found on a bench overlooking the river on the day she went missing.
Mr Ansell said: “She was still listening to that meeting, so I think she must have maybe put the phone on the bench and gone to put the harness back on Willow.”
He said she had been “looking forward to the future” before she disappeared, despite the “blip” the previous month.
“The blip over the Christmas period happened but in January she was back to herself, looking forward to the future and everything was on the up,” said Mr Ansell, who at one point during his evidence broke down in tears and had to leave the room.
He added: “She had a good day the day before (she went missing), came home full of beans, excited with work, with the meetings she had and plans for the year.”
On the day she disappeared, he sent her a text message saying: “Have you got lost?”
Asked if she had any suicidal thoughts, Mr Ansell said she had made “a couple of throwaway comments” the month before her death, “but nothing that gave me any concern”.
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Inquest shown dive video
Her former GP told the inquest there was “nothing” in Ms Bulley’s medical records to suggest she was suicidal.
Dr Rebecca Gray said Ms Bulley had spoken to her about having a “low mood and anxiety” since 2018, and had later told her she was suffering from headaches, fatigue and lack of sleep.
But there was “nothing on the notes or records from 2012 where there’s been any mention of her feeling suicidal or of self-harm”, Dr Gray added.
Ms Bulley was sent to A&E on 11 January due to an injury to her head, Dr Gray said.
The mother-of-two attended a walk-in centre after a fall, complaining of increased drowsiness and vomiting, and was sent to A&E where a CT scan came back normal, the inquest heard.
Police officers during the search
A mental health clinician attended Ms Bulley’s house on 10 January along with a police officer and paramedic following concerns about her welfare.
But Theresa Lewis Leevy told the inquest Ms Bulley did not appear depressed despite concerns over her increased drinking.
Ms Bulley appeared intoxicated on her bed and spoke of having lost weight.
However, when asked if she appeared depressed, Ms Leevy said: “No, no, not that I could ascertain at the time.”
Ms Bulley’s sister cried as she spoke during the inquest.
“Nikki was my big sister… very much a planner,” Louise Cunningham said.
“She started her career again, a busy mum, as most people are, juggling a career and family life. She always had things under her control.”
A police diver searches the river
Ms Cunningham also commented on the “blip” in her sister’s mental state.
She said: “She had a blip over Christmas (2022) but she was back on the HRT medication in January and back to work and back to the normal Nikki.”
Ms Cunningham said her sister was drinking more heavily over that period.
But she added: “She’s never confided in me about any suicidal thoughts.”
Ms Cunningham said she was planning a spa day shortly before Ms Bulley’s death.
She cried as she said: “I literally confirmed it was booked but she didn’t pick up the message.”
Police search the River Wyre
After the family had finished giving evidence, their lawyer Sophie Cartwright KC said: “What happened on the river bank shortly after 9.18am was a tragic accident.
“There has been much rumour and suspicion and speculation around Nikki’s death but the family are very clearly of the view and submit to you that that rumour and speculation is allayed completely when looking at all the evidence.”
‘High risk’ missing person
Following her disappearance, the 45-year-old mortgage adviser from Inskip was immediately deemed a “high risk” missing person and her disappearance sparked an intensive search operation before her body was eventually found more than three weeks later in the Wyre.
Ribbons left on a bench near where Ms Bulley was last seen
No evidence of harm before ‘drowning’
On Tuesday, the inquest heard there was no evidence Ms Bulley was harmed before she drowned.
Expert Professor Michael Tipton said the temperature of the river was around 3-5C and it would have taken “one or two breaths” of water to kill Ms Bulley.
Asked by Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, if there was any evidence of third-party involvement in Ms Bulley’s death, Home Office pathologist Dr Alison Armour replied: “No, there was not.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK.
