Nicola Bulley verdict released by Coroner as suicide ruled out

An inquest into her death was held at Preston's County Hall which concluded the death was accidental as she fell into the river and suffered “cold water shock”.

Coroner Dr James Adeley said that that there was “no indication of any intention to take her own life”.

He said: “Excluding a couple of comments over the Christmas period when she was acting out of character and were treated as throw away comments, there was no indication of any intention to take her own life.

“Her behaviour in the week before her death was back to normal, she had restarted her HRT therapy, stopped drinking some time before, was making plans for play dates and spa days with several people.

"Was becoming increasingly successful at her new career as a mortgage broker and behaved entirely normally during her parents visit of the night before and with Paul Ansell on the morning of her death.”

He added: “The circumstances found after her death would also be extremely unusual for suicide where Nikki left Willow, a dog to who she was devoted and was described as a third child, alone on the river bank."

Her partner of 12 years, Paul Ansell, said there had been concerns about her struggling with the menopause and increase in alcohol intake in the month before her death.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Nicola Bulley's final moments shown in video at inquest as police recreate fall from 'cliff-edge drop'
• Nicola Bulley’s Fitbit explains exactly what time she entered the river
• Nicola Bulley cause of death confirmed at inquest in Preston

A mental health nurse had been called to the family home on January 10 this year to speak to Bulley.

But they dismissed this as a “blip”, saying she was in good spirits, making plans for the future and looking forward to life when she vanished.

The 45-year-old died as a result of drowning and was alive when she fell into the River Wyre, a Home Office pathologist revealed on Monday.

Experts told the hearing that entering cold water can cause a person to gasp and inhale water and drown in seconds.

Speaking at an inquest, Dr Alison Armour said watery fluid and fragments of dirt found inside Bulley's body were "typical features we see in cases of drowning".

Her family said they had continued to receive “negative targeted messages” as well as seeing “wildly inaccurate speculation” on a number of platforms months after her death.

Reading the statement on behalf of the family outside County Hall, Preston, Terry Wilcox, of Hudgell Solicitors, said: “The last few months have been extremely tough to process for our family.

"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.

“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.”