Nicola Bulley's family have hit out at "wildly inaccurate speculation" about her death on social media as a coroner found she drowned after accidentally falling into cold water. Ms Bulley, 45, vanished after dropping off her daughters, six and nine, at school, and taking her usual dog walk along the River Wyre in St Michael's, Lancashire, on January 27.
Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, concluding the inquest into her death at County Hall, Preston, on Tuesday, recorded her death as accidental as she fell into the river and suffered "cold water shock", and said there was "no evidence" to suggest suicide. Speaking after, Ms Bulley's family addressed the role social media played following her disappearance.
Terry Wilcox, of Hudgell Solicitors, which represented the family, said in a statement: "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. 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."
He added: "We now need to be allowed time to comprehend all of the events leading up to this day. We ask that you all respect our privacy at this time, to let us rebuild and take time to heal."
Also speaking outside after the inquest concluded, a senior detective said she hoped the coroner's conclusion would put an end to "ill-informed speculation and conspiracy theories" surrounding Ms Bulley's death.
Lancashire Constabulary's head of crime Detective Chief Superintendent Pauline Stables said: "I want to start by saying that first and foremost my thoughts today are with Nikki's family and loved ones. They have been through the most unimaginable ordeal over the last six months and I can only hope that this inquest will help in some small way by answering some of the questions they had about what happened to Nikki on January 27, and will allow them to start the process of rebuilding their lives as best as they can.
"I would like to thank Dr Adeley for his careful consideration of the evidence presented to this inquest as well as legal counsel, and all of the witnesses for their participation. 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."
