Investigators from the Independent Office for Police Conduct have started their inquiry.
A welfare check on Nicola Bulley was conducted a few days before she vanished, and now the police watchdog is looking into it.
On January 10, a Lancashire Police officer was summoned to the mother’s residence, which she shared with her husband and two daughters.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct probe is ‘in the early stages’, but will look into the contact that the force had with the mortgage advisor on this day.
A huge search was later launched when Nicola went missing on the morning of January 27.
Following a three-week hunt, her body was found on the banks of the River Wyre on Sunday.
Mid-way through the search, Lancashire Police revealed a welfare check had been made after ‘some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by Nicola’s ongoing struggles with the menopause’ resurfaced.
Critics blasted them for releasing personal details, warning it may encourage victim blaming.
Family of Nicola Bulley release statement after her body is found
In a heartbreaking statement after Nicola’s body was found, her family said their ‘worst fears had been confirmed’.
‘We will never be able to comprehend what Nikki had gone through in her last moments and that will never leave us,’ they said.
‘We will never forget Nikki, how could we, she was the centre of our world, she was the one who made our lives so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that.’
Making the announcement today, an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) spokesman said: ‘Following a referral by Lancashire Constabulary on Thursday, we have started an independent investigation regarding contact the force had with Nicola Bulley on January 10 2023.
‘We were notified by the force that an officer attended the family home on that date as part of a welfare check.
‘Our thoughts are with Ms Bulley’s family and friends, and all of those affected by her death. Our investigation is in its very early stages.’
It comes after media watchdog Ofcom wrote to Sky News and ITV ‘to ask them to explain their actions’ after Nicola’s family said they had intruded on their grief when they asked for privacy.