Latest news with #LeonardoHotel
Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Woman who fell to her death from tower block was fighting ex-lover for mansion
Rachel O'Hare and Owen Pacey were due to appear at the High Court before Rachel's body was found on the pavement outside the Manchester high rise she was living in A woman who fell from a tower block was engaged in a bitter legal row over the £2.7million home she had shared with her antiques dealer fiancé at the time of her death. Rachel O'Hare, 49, had started legal action against Owen Pacey, 60, as she claimed the rights to their five-storey Georgian mansion in Spitalfields. Rachel alleged that her ex-lover - who has made antique fireplaces for Mick Jagger and Naomi Campbell - locked her out of the home and was prevented from collecting her belongings. She claimed he also refused to pay bills and threatened to destroy the property's interior - including its artwork and designer furniture. The couple were due to appear at the High Court in the coming months, but four days after the most recent hearing in Leeds she fell to her death from a Manchester apartment window. An inquest into her death is due to start next week. Investigators are not treating her death as suspicious. Rachel claims she was persuaded to buy the property in their joint names back in June 2021, after they had been together for less than a year following a whirlwind romance. She took out a loan and used the proceeds of a previous divorce settlement to secure it. In legal papers, the couple signed an agreement that said the house would go to the surviving partner on the event of one of them passing, reports the MailOnline. This agreement means the £2.7million 18th Century property has been passed on to Owen following Rachel's death. Rachel had previously said Owen promised to pay his share of the property within two years after selling a £1.2million maisonette he owned. "The first defendant (Mr Pacey) said he had no money to contribute when the property was purchased but would be able to pay the claimant for his share in due course," legal documents said. She also said he had agreed to put half of his £5million fireplace business into her name until the maisonette was sold. Rachel, originally from the Wirral, was pronounced dead at the scene in Manchester city centre on June 30. Emergency services were called to Great Ancoats Street at around 7am that day following reports of woman's body being found. The area around the Leonardo Hotel and Victoria House apartments was cordoned off as an investigation was subsequently launched. Police said her death was not being treated as suspicious, indicating that no third-party was involved in the tragedy. If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operates a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email Jo@ if you'd prefer to write down how you feel. You are not alone.
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Domestic abuse charity hero who died after 'falling from high building' pictured
The body of Rachel O'Hare, in her 40s, was found in Manchester city centre on the morning of June 30 as police say that her death is not being treated as suspicious A woman who died after she fell from a high-rise building in a busy street was a domestic abuse charity worker. Rachel O'Hare, originally from the Wirral and in her 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene in Manchester city centre on June 30. Emergency services were called to Great Ancoats Street at around 7am that day following reports of woman's body being found. The area around the Leonardo Hotel and Victoria House apartments was cordoned off as an investigation was subsequently launched. Police said her death was not being treated as suspicious, indicating that no third-party was involved in the tragedy. Ms O'Hare was originally from the Wirral but living in Manchester at the time of her death. She co-founded a charity called Elle for Elle that worked to help vulnerable women in refuges. The company's aim was to support women in need with basic toiletries and beauty products, with the charity's work said to have been praised in Westminster. The charity was dissolved in 2022, according to Companies House. Ms O'Hare, thought to be a mum of three, is also believed to have held a role with The Cheshire Magazine, where she coordinated charity events in the Cheshire area and beyond. Speaking to a local media outlet in 2018 at the launch of Elle for Elle , she said: "We've been overwhelmed with the amount of support we've had already but we have high hopes for Elle for Elle. The ultimate aim is to take this nationwide to all 305 refuges and help the tens of thousands of homeless women and children in the UK.' By the start of January 2019, more than £30,000 worth of beauty products had been donated in a shoebox appeal. Ms O'Hare had said:" Christmas is a time when domestic abuse is on the rise, but all throughout the year we support women in crisis. These boxes will be a real treat for women following the hardship and suffering they have had to face from their abusers. We can't thank all of our supporters enough for being so generous and kind.' Greater Manchester Police said at the time: "We were called to Great Ancoats Street at about 7am to reports the body of a woman had been found. It appears she has fallen from a building but officers are currently investigating to determine the circumstances." Paul Melis, 34, a Dutch tourist who was staying at the Leonardo Hotel next door, said: "It's very sad. We had something to eat and came back at midnight and nothing had happened. Then we were told the police were there and a woman was found on the pavement after falling from the flats," reports the MailOnline. One worker said: 'I was told she had fallen from one of the upper flats. I think she was a resident but I'm not sure who she was.' Builder Matt Armstrong, 29, described how there were lots of police when he arrived at the scene with many people looking stunned by what had happened. "People walking to work had seen the body. It's shocking," he said. While another worker believed Ms O'Hare had fallen from one of the "upper flats" where she was possibly a resident. Manchester Coroners' Court confirmed that a file of evidence in respect of Ms O'Hare's death has been received. However, no date for an inquest opening has so far been set.
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Tragedy as woman dies after 'falling from high rise building' in city centre - as police launch investigation
A woman has died after 'falling from a high rise building' on a busy city centre street. Emergency services were called to Great Ancoats Street in Manchester at around 7am today following reports a body had been found. An area around the Leonardo Hotel and Victoria House apartments has been cordoned off, with a police block in place around a small space. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it appeared the woman had fallen from a building, adding an investigation has been launched. An incident commander van remains on the scene, as well as ambulances and police cars. GMP said: 'We were called to Great Ancoats Street this morning at about 7am to reports the body of a woman had been found. 'It appears she has fallen from a building but officers are currently investigating to determine the circumstances.' North West Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Yahoo
Woman found dead after 'falling from building' in Manchester city centre
Police are investigating after the body of a woman was found on a major city centre street in Manchester. Emergency services were called to Great Ancoats Street at around 7am on Monday (June 30) following reports the body of a woman had been found. An area around the Leonardo Hotel and Victoria House apartments has been cordoned off, with a police block in place around a small space. GMP said it appears the woman had fallen from a building, but an investigation had been launched. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE An incident commander van is on the scene, as well as ambulances and police cars. Greater Manchester Police said: "We were called to Great Ancoats Street this morning at about 7am to reports the body of a woman had been found. "It appears she has fallen from a building but officers are currently investigating to determine the circumstances." For the latest stories and breaking news visit Get the latest headlines, features and analysis that matter to you by signing up to our various Manchester Evening News newsletters here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to stay up to date with the us on X @mennewsdesk for all the latest stories and updates on breaking incidents from across the region and beyond, as well as on our Facebook page you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our newsdesk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it.
Scottish Sun
30-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Woman dies after ‘falling from building' in busy city centre – as cops cordon off hotel
A police probe has been launched into the tragic fall PLUNGE HORROR Woman dies after 'falling from building' in busy city centre – as cops cordon off hotel Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN has died after reportedly falling from a building in a busy city centre. Cops have launched a probe into the tragic fall after a body was found outside a block of flats in Manchester this morning. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Emergency services were called to Great Ancoats Street at around 7am Credit: MEN Media Emergency services rushed to Great Ancoats Street at around 7am today. The area around the Leonardo Hotel and Victoria House flats on remains cordoned off as officers continue to investigate. A police block has also been set up on the footpath adjacent to the flats. Cops confirmed that a probe has been launched into the tragic incident. Responders from Greater Manchester Police and ambulances are currently at the scene. A spokesperson for the force said: "We were called to Great Ancoats Street this morning at about 7am to reports the body of a woman had been found. "It appears she has fallen from a building but officers are currently investigating to determine the circumstances." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
