Coroner Criticizes Police Over River Search Repeat
Divers returning to the location where the body of the missing mother of two Nicola Bulley was discovered in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire is ‘extremely rare,’ according to former detective Peter Bleksley. The body of Nicola was discovered after a 23-day manhunt.
An ex-detective expressed surprise that police divers were requested to return to the location where Nicola Bulley was discovered.
A 23-day search for Nicola in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, garnered national attention on January 27.
Her body was discovered less than a mile from where she was last seen. Former Met detective Peter Bleksley described the decision for divers to return to the site on February 19 as “extremely unusual.”
He added that Lancashire Police had “lost all control of the narrative” and that it was “extremely embarrassing” that Nicola’s body was discovered by a member of the public.
Dr. James Adeley, Lancashire’s senior coroner, ordered Lancashire Police divers to return to the mother of two’s discovery.
Bleksley is perplexed by the repeated police visits to determine the cause of death.
He told MailOnline, “It’s quite common for the CPS to dispatch police officers to interview a witness in a complex case, but it’s extremely rare for forensic officers to be dispatched to a crime scene twice. The police only ever have one opportunity to get something right.
“Here they are, many weeks after Nicola’s body was discovered by a member of the public – not the police – and they’re back at the coroner’s request or on his orders.
ALSO READ: Police Search for Missing Object in River Related to Nicola Bulley’s Death, Pathologist Suggests
Mr. Bleksley, who appeared on the Channel 4 program Hunted, added, “Throughout the search for Nicola Bulley, Lancashire Police, in my opinion, sent the wrong messages, and now the imagery is not good.”
“How exhaustive, professional, and effective were the initial searches? The coroner has questions for the police, which is why these specialists are back trying to find something they blatantly failed to find weeks ago.”
Bleksley asserted that police wished to avoid “the embarrassment of an angler discovering something they could not locate.”
He added to The Sun, “Lancashire Police have completely lost control of the narrative here.” It is incredibly embarrassing for the coroner to dispatch search teams yet again, five weeks after Nicolas’s body was discovered by the general public and not by specialized teams.
“is very uncommon. It indicates that the initial police search was unsuccessful,” he said.
“The coroner has questions, which demonstrates that the police’s initial actions were insufficient. The coroner is not pleased with the force. Their search was not as exhaustive as it could have been.
This is a huge embarrassment for Lancashire Police, but ultimately they have only themselves to blame.
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden requested a College of Policing review of the case.
Dr. Richard Shepherd, a forensic pathologist, suggested police were looking for a missing object, but former detective superintendent Julie MacKay was unsure.
Ms. MacKay stated that police could obtain information about the river’s height and flow.
“It would be interesting to compare the current river levels to those on the day she disappeared. “They may be forming a formation based on river flow, river height, river speed, and obstructions,” she said.
ALSO READ: Police revisit the site of Nicola Bulley’s discovery
“If the river levels are different, then there must be new relevant information that the coroner is attempting to corroborate, explain, or discount,”
On January 27, Nicola, 45, tragically disappeared while walking her dog. She vanished after dropping off her six- and nine-year-old daughters at school.
Lancashire Constabulary stated at the time, “We regret to confirm that Nicola Bulley was recovered from the River Wyre yesterday.”
“The family Nicole has been informed, and they are devastated. We’re thinking of them, her family, and the community.
“We acknowledge Nicola’s disappearance’s profound impact on her family, friends, and St. Michael’s residents. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who assisted us during this incredibly complex and emotionally charged investigation.”
After receiving a tip from two dog walkers, the police investigated the location where Nicola’s body was found.
On the day she was found, police helicopters and drones flew over a man and woman pointing to the River Wyre.
On June 26, an investigation into her death will be held.
A spokesperson for HM Coroner stated, “The investigation will take time to complete so that the inquest is presented with as complete a picture of the facts surrounding Ms. Bulley’s death as possible.” This will help the family understand what transpired.”
HEY READER. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS SITE BY CLICKING ADS. DON’T FORGET TO HIT THE NOTIFICATION BELL FOR MORE UPDATES AROUND THE GLOBE.
