NICOLA Bulley's family and partner have told of their heartache over the search for the missing mum before her body was found in a river.
They also accept there was nothing sinister about her death and hit back at vile trolls who swamped the internet with wild speculation.
Parents Ernest and Dorothy, sister Louise Cunningham and Nicola's partner Paul Ansell pay an emotional tribute to the mum-of-two in a BBC documentary about the 23-day search for her early last year.
Louise says: "She just liked the simple life, really. And being a mum, made her. She was so good at it. She was an amazing mum.
"As far as Nikki going missing and the mystery to it I guess, it was just an accident. It doesn't always have to be something sinister, linked to something that happened.
"Sometimes bad things just happen. I just wish it hadn't happened to us. We're just a normal family that's had a really tough time."
Paul tells of his daily struggles when his two young daughters would ask: "Is Mummy coming home?"
This story is from the September 28, 2024 edition of Daily Mirror UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 28, 2024 edition of Daily Mirror UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
VAUGHAN AGAIN HERO
Wolves prop back after ban desperate to make up for the heartbreak of last season
In the 'top league dangerousness' of
Maddie suspect's psychopath test high score
Swum dancing
Olympian swimmer Tom: Training feels like lead-up to Paris Games
FAREWELL TO THE VOICE OF SNOOKER
Sport mourns for crisp, concise Clive
My girls helped back from the edge me step
Schofield's despair after TV scandal
Camerons got couture on the quiet
Donors paid for undeclared clothes
Soft cell
Prison so dilapidated inmates can chip away walls with plastic cutlery
NIGHTMHEIR
Harry turns the air blue during chat'show host's spookathon
I'm not happy, they'll still be out and have a life aged 20
Parents slam 12-yr-old stab killers' sentences
Accidents happen..it doesn't have to be sinister
I just wish it hadn't happened to us...