Nicola Bulley’s family has spoken out about the negative impact of the intense public interest surrounding her disappearance, referring to it as a “monster” that spiraled out of control. Paul Ansell, Nicola’s partner, expressed how their family initially welcomed the widespread attention when she went missing in Lancashire. However, the situation escalated when amateur online sleuths began spreading hurtful and inaccurate claims about the case, leading to the family facing online abuse. Mr Ansell described the situation as a “double-edged sword,” highlighting the detrimental effect of engaging with a phenomenon beyond their control.
Nicola Bulley, aged 45, disappeared on January 27, 2023, while out walking her dog by the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, shortly after dropping her daughters at school. Her body was discovered in the river on February 19, with an inquest later confirming her cause of death as accidental drowning. The BBC has produced a documentary titled “The Search For Nicola Bulley,” which delves into the media coverage, involvement of amateur internet detectives, and the emotional toll on both Lancashire Police and Nicola’s family. Mr Ansell recounted the anguish of the search intensifying, particularly impacting their young children as they yearned for their mother’s return.
The family endured a barrage of speculation and conspiracy theories online, with individuals traveling to Lancashire to offer their assistance in the investigation. Mr Ansell shared how strangers sent him intimidating messages, falsely accusing him and making hurtful remarks about Nicola. The family’s distress was heightened by Lancashire Police disclosing details about Nicola’s struggles with alcohol linked to menopause during a press conference prior to her discovery, which added another layer of complexity to the situation.
Despite the challenges, Mr Ansell finds solace in seeing Nicola’s presence mirrored in their daughters every day, cherishing the shared mannerisms that remind him of their lost loved one. A coroner’s report ultimately ruled Nicola’s death as accidental, dispelling any notions of suicide. Critically, the police faced criticism for mishandling the public narrative early on and failing to contain misinformation, leading to a breakdown in trust between law enforcement and mainstream media.
“The Search For Nicola Bulley” documentary is set to air on BBC One on October 3 at 9 pm BST, shedding light on the complexities of missing persons cases in the digital age and the lasting impact on families left behind.