Nicola Bulley's family have blasted the police for their alcohol and menopause claims, as they released their own statement on the missing mum's wellbeing before she disappeared.
Lancashire Police revealed earlier this week that Nicola suffered “significant issues with alcohol” that had returned as a result of her menopause.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has said they have made contact with Lancashire Police over information made public in a press conference about missing mother Nicola Bulley’s private life.
In a statement, a spokesman for the IOPC said: “Following information that was made public by Lancashire Constabulary yesterday, we have made contact with the force to determine if a referral to the IOPC may be required.”
On Friday, it will have been three weeks since Nicola went missing.
A police Search and Rescue team on the river at Shard Bridge on the River Wyre in Lancashire, as police continue their search for Nicola Bulley.
Owen Humphreys
Police believe she may have “have fallen into the river for some reason”.
They have maintained that her disappearance was not being treated as suspicious.
Now, her family have outlined the side effects Nicola was living with around the time she went missing.
In a statement they said: "It has now been three weeks since Nikki went missing. We, as a family, believe that the public focus has become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her and Paul’s private life.
"As a family, we were aware beforehand that Lancashire Police, last night, released a statement with some personal details about our Nikki.
"Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there speculating and threatening to sell stories about her. This is appalling and needs to stop.
"The police know the truth about Nikki and now the public need to focus on finding her."
Yesterday, Lancashire Police revealed that Nicola suffered “significant issues with alcohol” in the past which had resurfaced as a result of ongoing struggles with the menopause.
The family continued: "Due to the peri menopause Nikki suffered with significant side effects such as brain fog, restless sleep and was taking HRT to help but this was giving her intense headaches which caused Nikki to stop taking the HRT thinking that may have helped her but only ended up causing this crisis.
Nicola Bulley.
Family handout
"The public focus has to be on finding her and not making up wild theories about her personal life.
"Despite what some media outlets and individuals are suggesting, we are being updated daily and receive support from our family liaison officers.
"Nikki is such a wonderful daughter, sister , partner and mother and is missed dearly - we all need you back in our lives.
The family continued: ""Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle. We all need you home. You can reach out to us, or you can contact MissingPeople.org.uk. Don’t be scared, we all love you so very much.
The family have urged the public to stop speculation about the disappearance of Nicola.
Owen Humphreys
The 45-year-old mum of two went missing on January 27 and the search has entered its third week.
Nicola was last seen walking her brown spaniel Willow near the River Wyre in St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire.
Lancashire Police said: "Our sole focus throughout the investigation has been to find Nicola, to bring her home and to support her family through the trauma they are experiencing. The most important person in all of this is Nicola.
"As we approach the three-week anniversary of her going missing on Friday, 27 January, we remain committed to doing everything we can to find her."