Police have clarified the reasons behind the fresh search of the River Wyre where Nicola Bulley disappeared.
Divers returned to the area where the mum-of-two went missing earlier this week as part of the coroner's investigation. Nicola disappeared on January 27, sparking a massive search operation which ended when her body was tragically found on February 19.
Police and expert partners had extensively searched the stretch of the river near to where she had last been seen but had struggled to find clues before her body was found. Lancashire Constabulary concluded its investigation into her disappearance on the basis that it had found no suspicious circumstances and there was not believed to be anybody else involved.
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However, questions have continued to be asked as part of a coroner's investigation into her death. Coroners are required to investigate any death which is suspicious or unexplained and they are tasked with determining how a person died.
It is common for a water-related death to be investigated as a result and it is the coroner's discretion to decide what form that investigation should take place. However, a spokesperson for Lancashire Police has issued a statement clarifying the reasons behind police activity in the area.
They said they were acting under the instruction of the coroner and have been asked to assess the riverbanks close where the 45-year-old went missing. The spokesperson added divers have not been asked to carry out further searches or "locate any articles".
They said: “There has been misinformed speculation over the past few days relating to police activity in the River Wyre.
"As previously stated, police divers were acting under instruction of HM Senior Coroner and had been asked to assess the riverbanks in the vicinity of where Nicola Bulley went missing.
"They had not been tasked either to perform any further searches within the river or along the banks or to locate any articles. This activity is to assist with the coronial process.”
HM Senior Coroner, Dr James Adeley, said: “Speculation as to the role and purpose of Officers acting on my instructions is unhelpful in the resolution of this inquest.”
Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen, is responsible for this investigation. He has previously said he would use evidence gathered by the police in that process. It was at this order that the new search, believed to have happened on April 4, took place.
The inquest was opened on February and a full hearing will take place on June 26. Dr Adeley has previously asked the police not to publicly discuss the case and it has limited its comment on the latest search. A spokesperson told LancsLive the search took place last week, adding: "We can confirm we are carrying out some work on the direction of HM coroner.”
Speaking after the inquest was opened in February, Dr Adeley said: "The investigation will take time to complete to ensure that as complete a picture as possible of the facts concerning Ms Bulley's death is presented at the inquest. This will assist the family in understanding what occurred.
"As part of this process, HM Senior Coroner has requested Lancashire Constabulary produce information gathered during the search for Ms Bulley so it can be considered as part of the investigation. Whilst HM Senior Coroner considers this information, Lancashire Constabulary have been asked by HM Coroner not to discuss the case in either social media or the mainstream media."
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