Paul Ansell sobbed as he revealed a four-word message he sent to his partner, Nicola Bulley, the day that she disappeared. The mum of two was last seen January 27 this year, sparking a widespread manhunt of St Michael's in Lancashire, before her body was found in the River Wyre three weeks later.
An inquest into her death opened yesterday at Preston Count Hall, with experts, police officers and a Home Office pathologist explaining their findings. On the day she disappeared, Nicola was last seen walking her dog Willow near the River.
Her phone was later discovered on a bench overlooking the Wyre, still connected to a work Teams meeting - while Willow was running loose nearby. Continuing today's proceedings, Paul was teary eyed as he told the inquest he asked Nicola: "Have you got lost?" on the day of her disappearance, as she failed to return home.
