Nicola Bulley's family received the worst possible news yesterday after confirming their worst fears.
Lancashire Police confirmed the body recovered from the River Wyre on Sunday belonged to the 45-year-old mum of two.
The mortgage adviser was last seen on January 27, walking her brown spaniel Willow near the river in the close-knit village of St Michael's on Wyre in Lancashire.
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A massive search operation was launched, with divers using high-tech equipment trawling through the river while specialist officers combed the riverbanks and conducted house-to-house searches.
The case sparked interest from the media and individuals alike, which resulted in the family speaking out against harmful speculation. As Nicola’s family now grieve her loss, there are many unanswered questions about the case.
Why was the body found far from where she was last seen?
Nicola’s body was recovered from the river on Sunday, February 19, however, it was not until the next day that this was confirmed.
The body was first spotted by a member of the public approximately one mile away from where Nicola disappeared and where police and specialist groups had already searched.
While people have speculated why this happened, a detective previously explained to the Mirror that this is not unusual.
Speaking to the publication, Julie Mackay, a retired Detective Superintendent said: "It's not as unusual as you think. If she's then sadly gone over that weir it becomes tidal and then the possibility that she's gone out to sea is still quite possible."
Why was Nicola's phone found on the bench?
One detail that left many people following the case baffled was the fact that Nicola's phone was found on a bench still connected to a work conference call.
A friend of Nicola's, Tilly Ann, shared that her friend "would often speak on loudspeaker while she was out walking".
Furthermore, her phone activity, such as emailing her boss, helped narrow the window of when she was last seen. It was a member of the public that recognised her phone before the alarm was raised.
It remains unclear why her phone was left on the bench and raised questions as to whether Nicola placed it there herself or if someone else did. Her partner, Paul Ansell, suggested that she thought it was a decoy.
Why did the police reveal her medical history?
Police in Lancashire came under significant scrutiny for releasing medical information about Nicola two weeks following her disappearance, with many questioning what benefit this would have for the investigation.
During a police conference, police explained that typically they wait 24 hours before an adult goes missing to launch a search, however, there is an exception if the person is vulnerable or there are other extenuating factors involved in their disappearance.
In Nicola’s case, the search was launched immediately, indicating that there were some vulnerabilities. However, this was not explained until 19 days after the search had taken place.
Furthermore, these vulnerabilities were not specified until hours later as being related to alcohol and linked to menopause.
Later, the family released a statement that hinted people were attempting to sell stories to the media and so they released the information themselves.
Why did it take so long to find the body?
The former detective superintendent also explained that Nicola’s clothes would have also weighed her down, with the cold water being a reason why she was not immediately found.
Nicola was last seen wearing a long black gilet jacket with a hood, black jeans and olive-green ankle wellies.
Mackay explained: "Generally wearing winter clothes makes it more difficult to get out it will weigh you down.
"The cold water shock alone will knock you sideways even for an experienced swimmer.
"That cold water shock very quickly disorientates you and with winter clothes it's heavy and panic will set in.
"And once you start losing control it can be quite difficult to regain it. It's also how the body operates in the water, it sinks until decomposition sets in and because it's so cold it may be a bit longer."
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