'Heartbreaking' documentary on the search for Nicola Bulley airs - detailing online sleuths that plagued case

3 October 2024, 22:31

Nicola and her partner Paul
Nicola and her partner Paul. Picture: Alamy, LBC

By Henry Moore

A landmark documentary detailing the online sleuths that plagued the search for missing mum Nicola Bulley aired on Thursday.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Search for Nicola Bulley explored 45-year-old Nicola Bulley’s disappearance and the subsequent social media frenzy that erupted during the search for the mum of two.

Online sleuths plagued the search, sending waves of abuse towards police and even Nicola’s partner, Paul Ansell.

Read more: 'You can't hide': Nicola Bulley's partner shares vile messages sent to him by amateur 'sleuths' after disappearance

Ms Bulley's body was found three weeks after she disappeared in the River Wyre in Lancashire, with an inquest finding she had accidentally fallen into the water.

Ms Bulley’s family said they agreed to take part in the documentary in a bid to give her the “legacy she deserves” and end the lies and rumours spread by online trolls.

“Collectively, we thought long and hard about taking part in a documentary about Nikki. It wasn't an easy decision,' her family said before the doc aired.

The documentary hears the turmoil Nicola Bulley's family went through as the search for Nicola intensified.
The documentary hears the turmoil Nicola Bulley's family went through as the search for Nicola intensified. Picture: LBC

“Nikki's face and name quickly became very recognisable, but there is so much to share about Nikki the person.

“Our sole aim is to provide the definitive record on Nikki to ensure she has the legacy that she deserves.

“Many people have aired their views about her disappearance and her untimely and tragic death, only we can speak about her as a mummy, partner, daughter and sister.

“In addition, if our experience of being in the eye of a media storm makes people think twice about how they act and what they say online, then we will have achieved some further good.”

Speaking in the BBC documentary, Paul Ansell said: “Social media... Nikki used it more than I did.

“It wasn't a huge part of our lives but when you experience something like this you realise what a huge monster it can be, I guess.

“I was getting direct messages from people that I've never met. They don't know me, they don't know us, they don't know Nikki, they know nothing about us.

Police on the road where Nicola Bulley Disappeared
Police on the road where Nicola Bulley Disappeared. Picture: Getty

“Just messages like "you b******", "we know what you did", "you can't hide Paul", that kind of stuff. You can't do anything about it... You're poking a monster.”

The film’s director, Rachel Lob-Levyt, said it was “nerve-racking” to make the doc.

She said: “The social media sleuths felt entitled to say whatever they wanted.

“In the past we'd have talked about these things in the pub, whereas now people broadcast it online and everything is accelerated. Opinion takes on similar weight to verified information.”Some viewers have questioned the decision to give airtime to the TikTok trolls that plagued Ms Bulley’s family.

On social media user said: “Why are the bbc giving credence to these Tik tokkers and other social media idiots regarding the Nicola Bulley case? They were part of the problem."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Russell Brand outside the Trew Era community cafe in Hoxton  funded using money from the sales of his book 'Revolution'

Police probing Russell Brand over historic sex offence allegations 'hand CPS file' to consider charges

Scale of King Charles' earnings exposed as royals rake in 'millions' from contracts with cash-strapped NHS and military

Royal earnings exposed as King 'earns millions' from contracts with cash-strapped NHS, military and state schools

Four girls suffer 'potentially life-changing injuries' during visit to UK fast-food restaurant

Four girls suffer 'potentially life-changing injuries' during visit to UK fast-food restaurant

Firearms officer who shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes following failed 21/7 attacks speaks for the first time

Firearms officer who shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes following failed 21/7 attacks breaks silence 20 years on

Police Line Do Not Cross ribbon on a London street following a suspected bomb reported in the area.

Schoolgirl, 10, dies after being bitten by family dog in North Yorkshire as police launch launch investigation

WATCH: Three family members of Sara Sharif were arrested at Gatwick Airport for her muder

WATCH: Moment police board plane and arrest fugitive family of schoolgirl Sara Sharif on suspicion of murder

Craig pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual offences against a teenage pupil

Ex-teacher jailed after he 'groomed' and sexually assaulted pupil in classroom cupboard

A 22-year-old woman died from a stab injury at Spenlow House on Jamaica Road, Bermondsey

Boy, 17, jailed for stabbing woman, 22, to death in 'laughing gas-fuelled row' on Christmas Eve

Jackie Scully will trek 100km across the Sahara desert to mark 10 years since she was given the all-clear

Breast cancer survivor to trek 100km across Sahara desert to mark 10 years since getting all-clear

Flooding And Heavy Rain In Valencia Region Of Spain

What we have seen in Spain these last days is a preview of the future if we do not take action on climate change

Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new Conservative Party leader

New Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says 'huge job' ahead involves 'people we want to bring back to Conservative Party'

Janey Godley has died at the age of 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley died in hospital 'surrounded by her loved ones' aged 63 following battle with cancer

Exclusive
Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci says 'garbage' comments made at Trump rally have 'lit up' Puerto Ricans - and could swing election

billy nighy

Billy Nighy 'stole complete works of Shakespeare from library' to prepare for drama school audition

v

Winner in Conservative leadership contest to be announced this morning

Palma is on lockdown amid warnings of heavy rain

Majorca on lockdown as tourist hotspot faces flooding horror after storm kills more than 200