11 April 2023 , 14:03
698
0
Lancashire Police have explained why they were seen searching the River Wyre near where Nicola Bulley's body was found.
The mortgage adviser, 45, was last seen on January 27 walking her dog Willow near the river in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire.
Her disappearance sparked a massive search which saw police, firefighters, mountain rescue, underwater teams and the local community comb through a massive area from the river to the coastline.
Tragically, her body was found on February 19, just over a mile from where she went missing.
Specialist divers are now back in the same area after spending weeks combing the river for the mum-of-two.
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
Nicola Bulley was missing for more than three weeks before her body was found (PA)A tip-off from two walkers on February 19 saw divers flood the scene as a police helicopter and drones circled overhead.
It raised the question of how she was found in an area that had been thoroughly searched.
The inquest into her death was opened on February 22, where it was first heard Nicola's body was identified by her dental records.
The next inquest hearing into her death will be on Monday, June 26 at County Hall in Preston.
The area on the River Wyre where the body was found (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)This is when Nicola's family will learn how she died as specialist divers have been seen searching the River Wyre again at the request of the HM Coroner.
A spokesman for HM Coroner told Lancashire Post : “The investigation will take time to complete to ensure that as complete a picture as possible of the facts concerning Ms Bulley's death is presented at the inquest.
"This will assist the family in understanding what occurred.
"As part of this process, HM Senior Coroner has requested Lancashire Constabulary produce information gathered during the search for Ms Bulley so it can be considered as part of the investigation.”
Divers searching along the River Wyre (Youtube / Maria Solarz)A police spokesperson added: “We can confirm this is us carrying out some work at the direction of HM Coroner."
Last month, Nicola's family was not in attendance at the opening of the inquest.
Devastated parents promise to never stop looking for mum-of-two who vanished
Opening the inquest, senior coroner Dr James Adeley said he had contacted consultant maxillofacial surgeon Ian Edwards to ask him to compare dental records obtained by police from the Great Eccleston dental surgery.
This image shows divers in the river recently as cops confirm they are searching the area (Youtube / Maria Solarz)Dr Adeley said the surgeon found restorative work carried out was identical.
He said: “I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities, and more, that positive identification has been made.”
The case captured the nation as her phone was found on a bench near the water's edge and had been connected to a work call. Her dog Willow was also found nearby.
Nicola Bulley's body was found on February 19 (Lancashire Police / SWNS)The search saw police, firefighters, mountain rescue, underwater teams and the local community comb through a massive area from the river to the coastline.
A specialist search was also launched by Peter Faulding, who used sonar equipment to scour the water - but his efforts led him to be removed from the NCA expert list.
The case also sparked a lot of harmful speculation online as armchair detectives flocked to the area.
For her funeral last month, a no-fly zone was put in place over the church to stop sick internet sleuths from filming it.