27 June 2023 , 10:52
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Nicola Bulley’s sister could be seen in tears as she spoke during the inquest into her death today.
Speaking at the County Hall in Preston on Monday, Louise Cunningham became emotional as she described her 45-year-old sibling as "very much a planner" who "always had things under her control.”
She also described how two sisters had childhood nicknames for each other - Nicola was Clacker and Louise was Tosh.
On the morning she disappeared, Louise text her sister on WhatsApp and they were talking about booking a spa day.
She had booked the trip that morning, text her at 8.52am and then signed off the text ‘Tosher’.
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
Nicola with her partner Paul
Nicola Bulley with her partner Paul Ansell at Centre Parcs in DecemberLouise began crying as she said: “Literally I was saying it was booked but she never picked up the message.” The sisters were due to go to Ribby Hall for a spa day on March 18 using a voucher Nicola’s daughters had bought her for Mother’s Day in 2022.
The sister also admitted there has been a “blip” in the mortgage advisor’s mental state not long before her death in January this year, LancashireLive reports.
Louise said: “She had a blip over Christmas (2022) but she was back on the HRT medication in January and back to work and back to the normal Nikki.”
Ms Cunningham said her sister was drinking more heavily over that period, but stated that Nicola had never confided in her about any suicidal thoughts.
Nicola would not have left her dog Willow on its own intentionally, her sister told the inquest (PA)Louise said her sister Nicola had however spoken about having problems sleeping, and had discussed problems with her HRT medication in summer 2022.
She said: “She was having headaches, she couldn’t get the balance exactly right, she mentioned having struggles sleeping.
“She was taking lavender spray, herbal tea, anything that would relax her before bed.”
A major search was launched along the River Wyre in Lancashire when Nicola went missing earlier this year (PA)Earlier today, the inquest heard how there was “nothing” in Nicola’s medical records to suggest she was suicidal.
Her former GP Dr Rebecca Gray, told the hearing at County Hall, Preston: “There is nothing on the notes or records from 2012 where there’s been any mention of her feeling suicidal or of self harm.”
Ms Bulley had spoken to Dr Gray about feeling a “low mood and anxiety” since 2018, later telling of headaches, fatigue and lack of sleep.
A major search was launched along the River Wyre in Lancashire when Nicola went missing earlier this year, with her body eventually found in the river 23 days later.
Devastated parents promise to never stop looking for mum-of-two who vanished
The location was around a mile downstream from a bench near where her dog Willow was found alone - but Nicola would not have intentionally left her unattended by the river, her sister said.
Louise Cunningham told the inquest: “Willow was like a third child, Willow is nearly eight and I’m not sure Nikki missed a dog walk.
“She would always find time in her day.”
She went on: “There’s no way Nikki would leave Willow unattended by herself.”
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