Police say missing Inskip mum Nicola Bulley had “significant issues with alcohol” in the past.

Police and health professionals also attended a report of concern for welfare at Nicola’s home address on January 10.

In a press conference today (February 15) police said Nicola had some “vulnerabilities” at the time she went missing but declined to explain further.

In a recent update, police said it was important to clarify what they meant to avoid further speculation or misinterpretation.

After speaking to Nicola’s husband, Paul Ansell, police said it was clear that 45-year-old suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause.

It is understood that these issues resurfaced in recent months.

Police and health professionals attended a report of concern for welfare at Nicola’s home address on January 10.

No one has been arrested but it is being investigated.   

A police spokesperson said: “Today we held a live press conference to provide some updates in relation to our search for missing mum Nicola Bulley.

“We described how Nicola had some vulnerabilities at the time she went missing and we just wanted to expand on that a little.

“It's really unusual for us to go into this level of detail about someone’s private life, but we felt it was important to clarify what we meant when we talked about vulnerabilities to avoid any further speculation or misinterpretation.

“Sadly, it is clear from speaking to Paul and the family that Nicola had in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause and that these struggles had resurfaced over recent months. This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family.

“As a result of those issues, a response car staffed by both police and health professionals attended a report of concern for welfare at Nicola’s home address on January 10. No one has been arrested in relation to this incident, but it is being investigated.

“We have explained to Nicola’s family why we have released this further information and we would ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.”