Nicola Bulley's family say they are "hopeful and confident" that the inquest into her death will establish the "true facts" and a "clear timeline" of what happened. A two-day hearing into the mum-of-two's death started at County Hall in Preston on Monday morning.
As reported by LancsLive, Senior Coroner for Lancashire, Dr James Adeley, is presiding over the coroner's court hearing and it is due to conclude tomorrow afternoon. The 45-year-old, from Inskip, was found in the River Wyre on Sunday, February 19.
The mum-of-two had been reported missing by her family having dropped off her children at school before taking the family dog Willow for a walk by the river on the morning of Friday, January 27. Dr Adeley will look to establish four questions determined by coronial law during the inquest. These are who has died and how, and when and where they came by their death.
Nicola’s family - partner Paul Ansell, parents Ernie and Dorothy Bulley, and sister Louise Cunningham - will be represented at the inquest by solicitor Terry Wilcox, of Hudgell Solicitors, and Sophie Cartwright KC, of Deans Court Chambers. Mr Ansell and Ms Cunningham are both listed as witnesses, and are due to give evidence on Tuesday.
In a statement, Hudgell Solicitors said: "Nicola’s disappearance in January led to widespread media coverage and inaccurate social media speculation. Her family are hopeful, and confident, that the inquest process will establish the true facts, a clear timeline of what happened, and how Nicola died.
"Her family will not be making any comment until all evidence has been heard, and until the Coroner has delivered his conclusion. It is expected that a statement will then be issued, on behalf of the Nicola’s family, by their legal team."
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