The police watchdog has launched an investigation after an officer conducted a welfare check at Nicola Bulley's family home days before she went missing. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was notified that an officer from Lancashire Police visited the address on January 10.
Ms Bulley's body was pulled from the River Wyre in Lancashire on Sunday, more than three weeks after she was last seen on January 27. An inquest opening heard how the 45-year-old mother-of-two was identified by her dental records.
Confirming it had launched an investigation, a spokesman for the IOPC said: "Following a referral by Lancashire Constabulary on Thursday, we have started an independent investigation regarding contact the force had with Nicola Bulley on January 10, 2023. We were notified by the force that an officer attended the family home on that date as part of a welfare check.
“Our thoughts are with Ms Bulley’s family and friends and all of those affected by her death. Our investigation is in its very early stages.”
Subscribe here for the latest news where you live
Separately, Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, Andrew Snowden, has confirmed his intention to commission an independent review into Lancashire Police's handling of the case, asking the College of Policing to carry out a "full, independent review".
In a statement, Mr Snowden said: "The public understandably feel that there remain questions about the handling of elements of the police investigation, how it was communicated and the decision to release personal information which need to be answered and explained. In my role as commissioner, as the public's voice in policing in Lancashire, I also need to put in place the appropriate scrutiny to seek the right assurances and to ensure I am effectively holding the Constabulary to account.
"I have therefore taken the decision to commission a full independent review into the handling of this case, with clearly defined terms of reference, to ensure lessons can be learned, not just for Lancashire, but for all forces. This includes how such cases can be best investigated and communicated under such spotlight and scrutiny.
"Yesterday I spoke with the chief executive of the College of Policing to agree the independent review and met with the chief officer team of Lancashire Constabulary to outline the scope and nature of the review. Given the amount of misinformation on social media, poorly-informed opinions given national airtime, the attacks on senior leaders' personal appearance and family lives, along with the intrusion into the privacy of Nicola's family, it is important that a professional, thorough and informed review is undertaken by a national independent body, with the right skills and resources, understanding of the current standards and access to the investigation information.
"I am sure there will be lessons to be learned for Lancashire Constabulary, the broader policing sector and others from this case, as there are from most major investigations, and I will keep the public informed of the findings in due course."
