Nicola Bulley's partner has explained what he thinks happened to the missing mum in the seconds before she went into the river, and has spoken about the last message he sent her. A two-day inquest is being held into the death of the mum of two who went missing after dropping her children at school and taking her dog for a walk along the river.
Yesterday it was heard she was alive when she entered the river, but could have been in trouble within seconds as the water was as cold as 3C. The temperature and panic would have caused Nicola's muscles to freeze as she breathed in water.
She was found three weeks after going missing.
Nicola’s partner broke down in tears during his evidence to the inquest and had to leave the room. Paul Ansell had said: “She was an incredible mum.”
He said in his witness statement: “Nikki was a quiet person who enjoyed the simple side of life. She was a very private person and kept herself to herself.”
He then started crying and was taken away.
Mr Ansell had previously told the inquest into her death he believes she went to put a harness on her dog shortly before falling into the River Wyre.
Ms Bulley’s mobile phone was still connected to a work Teams call when it was found on a bench overlooking the water.
Paul 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.”
On the day he sent her a text message saying: “Have you got lost?”
He said she made “throwaway comments” the month before her death.
Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, asked Paul Ansell if Ms Bulley had any suicidal thoughts.
Mr Ansell replied: “There were a couple of throwaway comments during the blip period but nothing that gave me any concern.”
