She seemed to disappear without trace and as days turned into weeks and the investigation offered no firm leads, it became a major and desperate search to find out what had happened to her.
As an independent review is released into the investigation, we look back in pictures to recall those weeks. We focus on the police activity, the sight of underwater search teams looking for Nicola, the messages of hope pinned to the bridge over the river and the media which followed the investigation as it unfolded.
You can also watch 'The Disappearance of Nicola Bulley' documentary tonight, Tuesday November 21 at 8.20pm on Shots! - Freeview channel 276, or alternatively you can watch it on demand now
7. The search for Nicola...
Police continue their search three days after Nicola disappeared Photo: Neil Cross
8. The search for Nicola...
Incident support units from SGI were drafted in as a widened search of the area, including the River Wyre got underway Photo: Kelvin Stuttard
9. The search for Nicola...
Peter Faudling, head of SGI, as they began their specialist underwater search. Photo: Kelvin Stuttard Photo: Kelvin Stuttard
10. The search for Nicola...
A police poster seeking help in finding Nicola Bulley on a tree next to the riverside bench where she was last seen. Picture: Asadour Guzelian Photo: Asadour Guzelian
11. The search for Nicola...
SGI combed the River Wyre in the desperate search to find her Photo: Kelvin Stuttard
12. The search for Nicola...
The bridge over the River Wyre became a focal point for messages and symbolic yellow ribbons as the search for Nicola contined for three weeks Photo: Daniel Martino