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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Susie Beever & Ashlie Blakey

Heartbreaking final image of Nicola Bulley captured on camera as coroner says she died by accident

Nicola Bulley was captured on camera getting into her car in the final image of her before she disappeared.

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

Shortly after, 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 in Lancashire. Her body was found in the water 23 days after she went missing.

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Yesterday, as an inquest into her death concluded, a coroner ruled the mum-of-two drowned accidentally. Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, said she suffered 'cold water shock', and said there was 'no evidence' to suggest suicide.

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. Speaking after, Ms Bulley’s family criticised the role social media played following her disappearance.

Terry Wilcox, of Hudgell Solicitors, which represented the family, said in a statement: "It’s upsetting that we’ve continued to receive negative targeted messages and still witness wildly inaccurate speculation being shared over numerous platforms. We encourage people to look at the facts, the evidence which has been heard during the inquest, and the conclusion reached by the Coroner, to ignore any amateur views and opinions, and be mindful of the impact words bring.”

Nicola Bulley (PA)

The family also said the 'emotional impact will stay long in our hearts' and that they will 'never get over the loss of our Nikki'. The statement went on: "The help and support we have received over these few months has meant more than words can say.

"From family and friends, to complete strangers across the country and 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 which are filled with such kindness and love."

Lancashire Constabulary’s head of crime Detective Chief Superintendent Pauline Stables said: “I hope that His Majesty’s Coroner’s clear and definitive findings will put an end to ill-informed speculation and conspiracy theories which have been so damaging to Nikki’s family and the community of St Michael’s.

“I would like to finish by bringing this back to Nikki. She was clearly a much-loved mum, partner, daughter, sister and friend.

“I would once again express my deepest sympathy to all her loved ones and I would ask that their privacy is respected at this time to allow them the time and space to rebuild and to heal.”

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