When Lancashire Police overlooked Nicola Bulley’s corpse in the river for 23 days despite thorough searches, calls for an independent investigation into how they handled her disappearance are growing.
More than three weeks after going missing, the mother of the 45-year-old was found dead in the River Wyre thanks to a sighting by two dog walkers on Sunday afternoon.
Former DCI Martyn Underhill, who was a police commissioner for nine years, said that Lancashire Police has to conduct an independent assessment because it needs to address severe concerns about its media strategy and river search.
These are important concerns that affect public trust, he told The Times. I may be utterly wrong, and Lancashire could be well justified.
The Met and other agencies all volunteered, but I have never seen a force that was so unwilling to seek outside assistance. The home secretary needs to investigate.
After questioning Chief Constable Chris Rowley in person, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said yesterday that she is not “wholly happy” with the force’s reasoning for disclosing Ms. Bulley’s alcoholism and menopausal concerns last Wednesday.
Although the Independent Office for Police Conduct is looking at how Lancashire Police interacted with Ms. Bulley in another incident before to her disappearance, the Information Commissioner’s Office is evaluating whether the police had the authority to release the personal information.
According to The Sun, Ms. Braverman and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are reportedly waiting for the results of those two probes before determining whether to launch an independent investigation.
“I did have reservations earlier in the week about some of the components pertaining to the release of personal information into the public realm,” Ms. Braverman said.
I expressed those worries to the chief constable, however I must admit that some of his solutions left me unsatisfied.
There are several active investigations. We have to wait for them to finish.
An more criticism of the already controversial police team in charge of looking for Nicola Bulley comes from a former Scotland Yard investigator. After more pressure from Peter Bleksley, Lancashire Police today announced that the corpse of the 45-year-old mother of two was discovered in the River Wyre on Sunday.
Despite the employment of professionals and a nationally recognized search philosophy by the force, the ex-policeman said they were not the ones to locate Ms. Bulley.
“The simple conclusion is Lancashire Police and all of their specialists and all of their philosophies did not locate Nicola,” he said in a statement to Sky News.
These were two individuals strolling along a river bank.
‘In terms of tidal and river movements, leading specialists in their area assisted with the search.
Notwithstanding the fact that river motions may be complicated, [Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith] continued by stating that a nationally-recognized searching philosophy had been adhered to.
He continued by saying that from the beginning of the hunt for Ms. Bulley, police were evasive in their comments to the media and the general public.
The first two news conferences were presided over by uniformed superintendent Sally Riley, who at one point begged attendees to refrain from speculating, according to Mr. Bleksley.
Then, in response to a query, she did just that and made her own assumptions.
She also gave the public the incorrect information that the NCA had examined the inquiry, which was a factual error.
We then learned that was untrue at the following and disastrous press conference on Wednesday of last week, when DSI Rebecca Smith claimed that the National Crime Agency had supplied tactical and strategic guidance.
“My complaint has been over the message — the facts, and how it has been communicated to the media,” the author said.
He admitted that social media sleuths were swarming to the site and that the police had to deal with them, but he expressed optimism that the department would be receptive to learning from what he said went wrong.
Some of the conspiracy theories and falsehoods that have been spread on social media, he said, have been cruel and completely absurd.
“I hope the police will be open, honest, and transparent, inform them and us, the public, where they made mistakes, and improve.”
More than three weeks after going missing, Ms. Bulley was found on Sunday morning in the River Wyre in Lancashire.
On January 27, after leaving off her girls, ages six and nine, at school, she went for a dog walk at St. Michael’s on Wyre.
Her corpse was discovered in the river after 23 days, but police have not said why.
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson, who was present at the force’s headquarters, said that Ms. Bulley’s corpse had been identified and that the inquiry had been “hugely difficult and incredibly traumatic.”
The media’s queries were not answered by him.
The family of Ms. Bulley stated in a statement that she was “the center of our universe” and that they would “never be able to understand what Nikki had gone through in her dying moments and it will never leave us.”
“Unfortunately, we are now able to announce that yesterday, we rescued Nicola Bulley from the River Wyre,” Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said.
Nicola’s family has been notified and is understandably inconsolable. During this difficult time, our thoughts are with them, as well as with all of her loved ones and the larger community.
“We acknowledge the profound effect Nicola’s absence has had on her family, friends, and the residents of St. Michael’s.”
“We would want to thank everyone who has contributed to what has been a very difficult and emotional inquiry.”
The conclusion of today’s development is not what any of us would have preferred, but we hope that it may at least begin to give some answers for Nicola’s loved ones, who continue to be our first priority.
Detective Chief Superintendent Pauline Stables of Lancashire Police shared a tribute from Ms Bulley’s family after the department revealed that the corpse had been located.
Our family liaison officers had to confirm our worst suspicions today, according to the statement.
“What Nikki experienced in her last minutes is beyond our comprehension, and it will never leave us.”
“How could we forget Nikki? She was the center of our universe and the reason our lives were so unique, and nothing can ever change that.”
The ones who care about our daughters the most will provide them with the assistance they need.
The family concluded their statement by paying more homage to Ms. Bulley by saying: “To those who sincerely helped and supported us, we thank you.”
“The St. Michael’s community’s support—from family, friends, and total strangers—has been nothing short of reassuring and heartwarming.” You are who you are, friends. I’m grateful.
“Our hearts ache deeply for those who are left without loved ones. Keep your faith alive.
Finally, Nikki, you are no longer listed as missing; you have been located, and we can finally allow you to rest.
We’ll handle it from here. We adore you, always have and always will.
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