LONDON — It has been three weeks since Nicola Bulley, a 45-year-old mom of two, disappeared whereas strolling her canine in a area in northern England, a case that has drawn nationwide information protection, in addition to widespread hypothesis on-line that has been criticized by each the police and Ms. Bulley’s household.

The authorities have stated that they consider Ms. Bulley fell into a close-by river, and that there isn’t any proof of foul play.

This week, the police confronted a backlash after disclosing private particulars about Ms. Bulley, together with that she had struggled with alcohol and menopause earlier than her disappearance. Though they stated they launched the data so as to clarify why she was decided to be at excessive danger, critics, together with members of Parliament, have questioned how such particulars would assist discover her.

Here’s a timeline of the case thus far.

Jan. 27

Ms. Bulley is reported lacking.

After dropping her two daughters off at college, Ms. Bulley was final seen on the morning of Jan. 27 as she was strolling her canine alongside a path close to a river in St. Michael’s on Wyre, a village in northern England, about 45 miles northwest of Manchester.

The canine, alongside along with her cellphone, have been later discovered near the place she was final seen. Ms. Bulley, who labored as a mortgage adviser, had logged right into a convention name, remaining on mute along with her video off, the police stated. The decision had ended, however the cellphone was nonetheless logged in when it was discovered on a bench.

The Lancashire Police issued a short assertion later that day, asking for the general public’s assist discovering Ms. Bulley, whom they described as a 5-foot-3 white lady, carrying a black jacket, denims and inexperienced ankle boots.

Jan. 31

‘The women are determined to have their mummy again house,’ the household says.

4 days after Ms. Bulley’s disappearance, her household launched an announcement thanking the group for its overwhelming assist.

“The women are determined to have their mummy again house secure with them and your ongoing efforts have offered consolation to them while we await information on Nicola,” the assertion stated.

Feb. 3

Investigators consider she fell into the river.

Per week into the investigation, the police stated that Ms. Bulley had remained within the area the place she was final seen and had fallen into the River Wyre, which they’d searched. Whereas the authorities didn’t clarify how they arrived at their speculation, they stated there was no proof to counsel something suspicious about her disappearance or any third-party involvement.

Feb. 6

The police warn in opposition to on-line rumors.

As a part of their investigation, the police stated they’d spoken to quite a few witnesses, analyzed Ms. Bulley’s cellphone and Fitbit, and searched a run-down house and empty autos close to the place she disappeared. Specialist Group Worldwide, an underwater search group, joined efforts to comb the river.

The police additionally stated the extreme hypothesis in regards to the case on social media was “each unhelpful to the investigation and, extra importantly, hurtful for the household.”

Ms. Bulley’s companion, Paul Ansell, stated in an announcement, “This has been such a tricky time for the women particularly, but in addition for me and all of Nicola’s household and buddies.”

Feb. 10

The police say conspiracy theories ‘should cease.’

Two weeks into their investigation, the authorities stated they’d nonetheless discovered no proof to counsel that Ms. Bulley was the sufferer of foul play.

“We additionally proceed to see an enormous quantity of commentary from so-called consultants, ill-informed hypothesis and conspiracy theories which is damaging to the investigation, the group of St Michael’s and, worst of all, to Nicola’s household,” the police stated. “It should cease.”

Two days earlier, the police issued two dispersal orders after receiving experiences of individuals filming on social media close to the place Ms. Bulley disappeared.

Feb. 10

In an interview, Ms. Bulley’s companion expresses disbelief.

In an interview with Channel 5, Mr. Ansell stated he was staying sturdy for his daughters and continued to reassure them with the little data he had.

“Nothing feels actual,” he stated.

After the in depth searches of the world, Mr. Ansell stated he didn’t consider that Ms. Bulley was within the river.

“I’m 100% satisfied it’s not the river,” he stated. “Individuals don’t simply vanish into skinny air. It’s completely unimaginable.”

Feb. 15

The police reveal private particulars about Ms. Bulley.

Based mostly on interviews with Ms. Bulley’s household instantly after her disappearance, the police stated that she had beforehand “suffered with some important points with alcohol” that have been introduced on by her “struggles” with menopause.

The authorities stated it was an “uncommon step” to launch particulars about an individual’s non-public life however felt compelled to make clear why they’d thought of Ms. Bulley at excessive danger.

In addition they stated they’d responded to a welfare name at Ms. Bulley’s house two weeks earlier than she disappeared. Nobody was arrested, however the incident remained below investigation, the police stated.

Feb. 16

A backlash greets the discharge of Ms. Bulley’s well being data.

Critics, together with members of Parliament, instantly questioned the choice by the police to launch Ms. Bulley’s private data.

Silkie Carlo, the director of Large Brother Watch, a British civil liberties and privateness campaigning group, stated on Twitter that the disclosure was a “critical” invasion of Ms. Bulley’s privateness.

On Friday, ​​Britain’s impartial information privateness authority stated that it could ask the Lancashire Police to elucidate the explanation for releasing the data.

Feb. 16

Ms. Bulley’s household says they knew her particulars could be launched.

In an announcement virtually three weeks after her disappearance, Ms. Bulley’s household stated they’d identified that the police would launch particulars about her well being and that they believed the general public focus had shifted from discovering her to rumors about her non-public life.

“Though we all know that Nikki wouldn’t have wished this, there are individuals on the market speculating and threatening to promote tales about her,” the household stated. “That is appalling and must cease.”

In addition they stated that Ms. Bulley had begun hormone substitute remedy so as to deal with circumstances related to perimenopause. However as a result of the remedy gave her complications, she stopped taking it, which they consider contributed to her disappearance.