Nicola Bulley died as result of drowning and was alive when she fell into water, inquest told

Nicola Bulley died as a result of drowning and was alive when she fell into the water, a Home Office pathologist has said.

Dr Alison Armour, giving evidence at an inquest at County Hall in Preston, said watery fluid and fragments of dirt found inside Ms Bulley’s body were “typical features we see in cases of drowning”.

She added that Ms Bulley was alive when she entered the water and that there was “no evidence” she was harmed.

The partner and sister of Ms Bulley are give evidence at the inquest into her death amid tight security at the coroner’s court.

Paul Ansell and Louise Cunningham have been listed among the witnesses due to appear in court as proceedings begin at County Hall in Preston, Lancashire.

Ms Bulley, 45, disappeared shortly after dropping her children off at primary school in St Michaelt’s on Wyre on January 27.

Around three weeks later, her body was recovered from the River Wyre in Lancashire around a mile from where she was last seen walking her dog in a field.

Her disappearance prompted a major police investigation and significant media interest, as well as intense speculation among amateur detectives on Tik Tok, Facebook and YouTube.

Lancashire Police insisted from the outset it had found no evidence to suggest Ms Bulley was the victim of a crime and her death has not been treated as suspicious.

However, the force is facing a number of investigations into its handling of the case including the decision to release details about her health problems while she was still missing.

Detectives revealed that Ms Bulley’s disappearance had been graded as “high risk” from the outset because she’d been struggling with alcohol issues brought on by the menopause.

On Monday, senior coroner Dr James Adeley will begin hearing evidence about what happened to Ms Bulley during a two-day court hearing taking place at County Hall in Preston, Lancashire.

Coronial proceedings are open to the Press and public but Dr Adeley has taken the unusual step of vetting those who wish to attend in advance and limiting spaces to 100 seats, all of which have now been filled.

Members of the media have been asked to provide evidence of accreditation in advance.

i understands a number of individuals have tried to present themselves as bona fide journalists to the court before being caught out by staff.

During the inquest, Dr Adeley is required to establish the identity of the deceased, where and when they came to their death, and how they died.

Paying tribute to Ms Bulley, her family includer her partner Paul Ansell, said: “We will never forget Nikki, how could we, she was the centre of our world, she was the one who made our lives so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that.”

Mr Ansell, Ms Bulley’s parents Ernie and Dorothy Bulley and her sister Louise Cunningham will be represented at the inquest by solicitor Terry Wilcox, of Hudgell Solicitors, and Sophie Cartwright KC, of Deans Court Chambers.

Ahead of today’s proceedings, a spokesperson for the firm 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.”