Nicola Bulley’s devastated associate says she was ‘trying ahead to the long run’

Nicola Bulley’s emotional associate instructed an inquest into her dying in the present day that she was “looking forward to the future” and was “full of beans” the night time earlier than she disappeared.

The mum-of-two took the couple’s canine for a stroll the subsequent morning by the river in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancs, on January 27.

The 45-year-old had dropped her daughters off in school simply after 8.30am earlier than taking Willow the canine for a stroll on a path that runs by the steep banks of the waterway.

Sadly, Ms Bulley’s physique was discovered within the river on February 19, after a mammoth police and public search operation spanning three weeks.

Speaking at in the present day’s inquest her associate Mr Ansell mentioned she had been “looking forward to the future” earlier than her disappearance.

Giving proof, he mentioned there had been a “blip” over the Christmas interval however that Ms Bulley was “back to herself”.

He mentioned: “The blip over the Christmas period happened but in January she was back to herself, looking forward to the future and everything was on the up.”

“She had a good day the day before (she went missing), came home full of beans, excited with work, with the meetings she had and plans for the year.

A clearly emotional Mr Ansell broke down in tears during his evidence to the inquest and had to leave the room.

Before that he had told the hearing his partner “was an unbelievable mum”, and in his witness assertion mentioned: “Nikki was a quiet person who enjoyed the simple side of life. She was a very private person and kept herself to herself.”

Mr Ansell mentioned he believed Ms Bulley went to place a harness on her canine shortly earlier than falling into the River Wyre. Ms Bulley’s cell phone was nonetheless related to a piece Teams name when it was discovered on a bench overlooking the water.

Mr Ansell mentioned: “She was still listening to that meeting, so I think she must have maybe put the phone on the bench and gone to put the harness back on Willow.”

On the day he despatched her a textual content message saying: “Have you got lost?”

Mr Ansell mentioned she made “throwaway comments” the month earlier than her dying. Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, requested him if Ms Bulley had any suicidal ideas.

Mr Ansell replied: “There were a couple of throwaway comments during the blip period but nothing that gave me any concern.”

The inquest continues.