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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
World
Susie Beever

Heartbreaking final image of Nicola Bulley as tragic details emerge at inquest

Pictures show the final moment Nicola Bulley was captured on camera on the morning she died, as heartbreaking details of her death emerged at her inquest.

The mum-of-two was seen on the family's Ring camera before she took her children to school on the morning of January 27.

Seen wearing a long black coat, leggings and ankle boots and with her hair tied in a ponytail, Nicola - known to loved ones as Nikki - was seen getting in the car on what would have otherwise been a routine morning.

READ MORE - Nicola Bulley died by drowning, inquest hears

Shortly later, the 45-year-old disappeared while on a work call as she took the family dog for a walk along the River Wyre in St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire.

Her disappearance sparked a three-week search before her body was found further down the river on February 19, which was ultimately ruled an accident in the hearing on Tuesday.

It's now understood the mum fell into the water and tragically died shortly after 9.18am.

Screen grab issued by Lancashire Police of Ring doorbell footage dated 27/01/23 showing Nicola Bulley, her partner Paul Ansell, and her children outside home on the morning of her disappearance, which has been shown in evidence at the inquest into her death at County Hall in Preston, Lancashire. Issue date: Tuesday June 27, 2023 (Lancashire Police/PA Wire)

During the two-day case it was heard concerned partner Paul Ansell sent her a message asking, "have you got lost?" after failing to hear from her during the walk.

Despite previous struggles, the court heard she had been "full of beans" in the weeks before she disappeared, with coroner Dr James Adeley accepting she was not suicidal at the time.

Nikki died of drowning, Preston County Hall heard this week.

Following senior coroner Dr Adeley's verdict on Tuesday, Nikki's family released another statement describing her as a "brilliant mum and partner" who was "loved so very much".

The statement, released by Hudgells Solicitors, also revealed the family continued to be targeted by vile messages and speculation from people online.

"The last few months have been extremely tough to process for our family," they said in the statement read outside the coroners court.

"The emotional impact will stay long in our hearts and whilst we will never forget the loss of our Nikki, we will forever remember her as a brilliant mum, partner, daughter and sister that we all knew and loved so very much.

"The help and support we have received over these past few months has meant more than words can say.

"From family and friends to complete strangers across the country and the world, thank you."

The family added: "Nikki and Paul's girls have already taken great comfort in the deeply thoughtful gifts sent to them in goodwill and in time they will read the many cards that are filled with such kindness and love.

"Sadly, we feel the need to again raise and address the issue of social media.

"It's upsetting that we've continued to receive negative targeted messages and still wildly inaccurate speculation being shared on numerous platforms."

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