Nicola Bulley’s partner Paul Ansell shares theory about what happened before she died

Nicola Bulley’s partner has advised her inquest what he believes could have happened to the lacking mother-of-two before she died.

The 45-year-old misplaced her life after by accident falling into the river in freezing temperatures, a coroner dominated on Tuesday however why she fell stays a thriller.

Talking at courtroom on Tuesday, grieving partner Paul Ansell speculated that her beloved canine could have unintentionally performed a component within the tragedy.

Ms Bulley went lacking on 27 January whereas strolling Willow alongside the Lancashire river, sparking a widely-publicised police search.

Her physique was finally discovered on February 19, a mile downstream of a bench the place her telephone had been left close to the water’s edge.

Willow was later discovered by a member of the general public, protected and sound. Ms Bulley’s cell phone was nonetheless linked to a piece Groups name when it was discovered on a bench overlooking the water.

The situation of the canine was mentioned on the primary day of the inquest on Monday.

Penny Fletcher, who runs a close-by campsite, advised the courtroom in Preston, Lancashire: “I noticed a springer spaniel unfastened, it was close to the bench and going proper in direction of the river the place it drops down very steeply. I wouldn’t say it was performing chaotic in any respect, it was a bit giddy, sure.”

Testifying on the inquest on Tuesday, Mr Ansell stated he believes she went to place a harness on her canine shortly before falling into the River Wyre.

Ms Bulley handled her eight-year-old springer spaniel as a “third little one” and doted on her canine. She would by no means deliberately have left the canine unattended and alone on the riverbank, in response to her household.

“She was nonetheless listening to that assembly, so I believe she will need to have perhaps put the telephone on the bench and gone to place the harness again on Willow,” he advised the courtroom.

On the day she disappeared, Mr Ansell despatched her a textual content message saying: “Have you ever acquired misplaced?”, the inquest heard.

Paying tribute to his partner, Mr Ansell broke down on the listening to, saying: ”She was an unbelievable mum.

“Nikki was a quiet one who loved the easy aspect of life. She was a really non-public individual and stored herself to herself.”

Each Mr Ansell and Ms Bulley’s sister Louise Cunningham stated Nicola had been wanting ahead to the long run on the time of her loss of life and was “devoted” to her kids and household.

Regardless of a “blip” when her ingesting elevated round Christmas final 12 months, she was again to her regular self the next month, the inquest heard.