Family of Rachel Booth, 38, pay tribute as her body is found in lake after vanishing on early-morning jog

The Sun

22-07-2025

THE heartbroken family of Rachel Booth have broken their silence after her body was found.
Police to find Rachel, 38, who was last spotted in a convenience store at 3.50am on Monday.
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Rachel was last seen at Sandiway Garage in Northwich, Cheshire, where she bought wine and milk after a 45-minute run.
She had entered the Shell garage on the A556 shortly before vanishing.
Search teams looking for Rachel recovered a body from a lake in Oakmere, Cheshire, on Monday.
On Tuesday morning, a spokeswoman for Cheshire Police confirmed that the body had been formally identified as Rachel.
Now, her heartbroken family have released a statement after the tragic discovery.
The moving tribute read: "As a family we would also like to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to all the services and business that supported Cheshire Police and their officers during the search for Rachel.
"Rachel, who was known to us as Helena, was a cherished member of our family.
"She was a guiding light whose strengths love, and devotion touched us all.
"Her kindness was constant and her presence a strength to everyone she knew, a loving mother, wife, daughter and sister who can never be replaced but always present in our hearts.
The family are being supported by specialist officers, said cops.
Police said there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a file will be prepared for the coroner in due course.
Missing Rachel, from Barnton, Northwich, had been described as being 5ft 9in tall, of a slim build and with blonde hair.
At the time of her disappearance, police believed she was wearing black leggings and a black top.
Horrifying moment journalist jumps into river and 'steps on missing girl's body' - while reporting on her disappearance
People in Barnton, where Rachel lived with her husband Carl and her three sons, were shocked at the sad news.
In the Premier store on the main road, Raj Kaur, 30, fighting back tears exclusively told The Sun: "We have all been praying for her.
"She is in everyone's thoughts here and we all wanted her to be found safe and well.
"It's so very, very sad. She had three children - it's such a sad time now."
A member of staff at Sandiway Garage told The Sun that Rachel had bought milk and wine before disappearing.
Issac Carolan, 19, said: "I spoke to my colleague who had served her on Saturday morning.
"She bought milk and wine and jogged 45 minutes away.
Isaac added: "But it didn't seem weird, she didn't seem disturbed or flustered."
During the search, Cheshire cops had been spotted at the Wild Shore Delamere water sports park in Northwich.
The force closed the local holiday attraction as part of their investigation.
Timeline of Rachel Booth's disappearance
J uly 19
Rachel's family reported her missing in the early hours of Saturday morning when she failed to return home from a jog.
3.50am
Rachel is seen on CCTV at a Shell petrol station on the A556.
This is nearly seven miles away from her home.
She was wearing black leggings and a black top.
Staff said she came in from a 45 minute jog to buy wine and milk, and nothing seemed amiss.
3.55am
A local family believe they saw Rachel walk past their house after leaving the petrol station, where she bought wine and milk.
July 20
Police begin searching by a holiday park as they believe Rachel may have travelled there.
They have deployed sniffer dogs to help with the desperate search.
Underwater search teams were recruited to help scour the waters for Rachel.
July 21
A body is found by Cheshire Police.
Cops said that formal identification is yet to take place but the body is believed to be that of Rachel.
July 22
Cheshire Police confirm that the body found is Rachel Booth following formal identification.
Cops said Rachel's family continue to be supported by specialist officers from Cheshire Police.
Cheshire Police added: "We are liaising with the family to see if they wish to issue a tribute and any update will be supplied in due course."
Police had also deployed sniffer dogs in a bid to find the missing 38-year-old.
Divers and specialist underwater search teams were also seen at the holiday park.
A spokesperson for the Wild Shore Delamare water sports park said previously: "Due to ongoing police investigations in the surrounding area, Wildshore Delamere will remain closed tomorrow, Sunday, July 20th.
"We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
"This incident is unrelated to Wild Shore - however, we wish to help as much as possible - so we will be closing the site until further notice.
"if your booking is affected by this closure, please contact our customer service team. We'll be happy to arrange a refund or reschedule your session for a later date.
"Thank you for understanding."
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