Police investigating the disappearance of Nicola Bulley say she suffered "significant issues with alcohol" in the past. Lancashire Police confirmed that these struggles were "brought on by ongoing issues with menopause" in an update earlier on Wednesday (February 15).
Police went on to say that both of these issues resurfaced in recent months, causing some "real challenges for the family". It has also now been revealed that on January 10, 2023, officers attended a report of concern for welfare at Nicola’s home address 'as result of those issues'.
No one has been arrested in relation to this incident, but it is being investigated. The police said it is an 'unusual step' to reveal such detail about someone’s private life, but that they felt it was 'important to clarify' what they meant by 'vulnerabilities'.
Read more: Nicola Bulley press conference update - eight new pieces of information
The 45-year-old mum-of-two disappeared while walking her springer spaniel, Willow, by the River Wyre in St Michael's, Lancashire, on January 27. Nicola had dropped her daughters, aged six and nine, at school that morning.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Manchester Evening News reported that Nicola's phone found on a bench was still connected to a video call. Despite a huge search of the river and surrounding countryside by Lancashire Police, no trace of her has been found.
At a press conference on February 3, the force first told the public of its "main working hypothesis" that the mortgage adviser fell in the river during a "10-minute window” between 9.10am and 9.20am that day. The force said her disappearance was not being treated as suspicious.
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