UK - Rachel Booth, 38, last seen at Sandiway Garage, A556, 3.50am, Northwich, 19 July, 2025

[Nikynoo]

Why are we assuming suicide? Did I miss something?

I wouldn’t jump to suicide faster than a drunk accident

I suspect the police knew early on (probably as soon as she was reported missing). She may have left messages for family.

 

[Inthedetails]

I'm very sorry about the sad outcome for Rachel.

I do find it strange that she would buy items from a shop and then go to the water/lake.
However, the police and family will know more than I.

I still find it a strange time for Rachel to be out. Perhaps it's more to do with where I live, but there is no way I would be out in my area, at that time alone.

RIP Rachel.

Maybe she bought those items BECAUSE they were heavy? I don't know - the thought just popped into my head.

jmo

 

[Nikynoo]

Why stop off to buy household goods if you are contemplating this ? I'm sure I read witnesses saw her hitch hiking - surely that's more plausible , that she ended up taking a bad ride from a stranger .

Many suicides are impulsive.

 

[jillolantern]

bought the milk to normalise the transaction

But buying wine IS normal. Buying wine and milk is unusual. Buying wine and milk and running with those items is very unusual. No way it was an effort to normalize. It just made everything weird.

 

[jillolantern]

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/news/cheshire/news/articles/2025/7/body-found-in-search-for-missing-northwich-woman/

There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Very sad news.

I have to say, they were on this from the beginning. No idea why, but LE had the suicide angle and the water angle right away.

 

[jillolantern]

Why stop off to buy household goods if you are contemplating this ? I'm sure I read witnesses saw her hitch hiking - surely that's more plausible , that she ended up taking a bad ride from a stranger .

I don't see why? People commit suicide all the time, every day, all around the world. 6000 in 2023 in England and Wales. Completely common and believable.

You read about her hitchhiking with a yellow jacket. Where is that jacket? Or do you not believe its her in the video? Much more plausible that notoriously weak eyewitness testimony was wrong, no?

source:

Suicides in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics

Registered deaths from suicide in England and Wales, analysed by sex, age, area of usual residence of the deceased, and suicide method.

www.ons.gov.uk

 

[WiseOwl]

I have to say, they were on this from the beginning. No idea why, but LE had the suicide angle and the water angle right away.

This would be because of information from her family, who were concerned for her welfare and safety.

 

[Sarahlou]

This would be because of information from her family, who were concerned for her welfare and safety.

Exactly.
She had her phone with her, she could have sent a text at the last moment, like the Huszti sisters did, for all we know.

 

[Alyce]

Ms Booth's belongings are believed to have been found close to the centre's lake,

Police confirm body found in lake is missing mother after she vanished

The mother-of-three, from Barnton, Cheshire, was reported missing early on Saturday and last seen at a garage in Sandiway at 3.50am, where she was captured on CCTV going into the store.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Inverloch]

But buying wine IS normal. Buying wine and milk is unusual. Buying wine and milk and running with those items is very unusual. No way it was an effort to normalize. It just made everything weird.

This sort of thing would be normal for someone with a drinking problem: going to a shop far from home (either to avoid seeing anyone she knows, or because the staff locally keep seeing her buying drink and she’s embarrassed, or because none of the local shops are open at such a late hour); buying drink in running gear (because people assume a fit and healthy runner won’t have a drinking problem); “going for a run” as an excuse to buy drink; buying milk as well because problem drinkers feel often shame and self-conscious about buying alcohol and so buy something else as a decoy or diversion.. it’s a bit like that Mitchell and Webb perishing thirst.

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I’m not saying that this is necessarily the case here, only that this sort of behaviour does align with a problem drinker

 

[Inverloch]

Im sorry i didnt realise she had been found when i posted

 

[Skigh]

Husband pays emotional tribute after body of Rachel Booth, 38, found

Rachel Booth's husband has paid an emotional tribute to his wife after her body was found in a lake yesterday.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Following the tragic news, Rachel's family has released a statement: '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.

'Her absence leaves a space, but her smiles are a memory we will treasure forever.'

 

[Chimera]

A bit late & just jumping into this sad case.
From her families' statement, it sounds like she was a very caring person who looked out for others ; but maybe herself last ?
Idk, though.
Utmost condolences to her loved ones.
Rest in peace, Rachel !

 

[jillolantern]

This would be because of information from her family, who were concerned for her welfare and safety.

Is this fact or speculation? I don't recall reading that her family pointed them to the water.

 

[Sillybilly]

Thread has been reinstated now that it seems Rachel's death has been classed as "unnatural".

Mother-of-three, 38, found dead in lake days after popping out for milk suffered an 'unnatural' death, inquest hears​

As formal Manner of Death classifications are Natural, Suicide, Homicide, Accidental, and Undetermined, a reference to "unnaatural" still leaves the 4 other possibilities.

 

[Lucy6226]

Unnatural but police stated no suspicious circumstances. Wonder of this is the result of toxicology results? Maybe something unusual in her system but no proof of foul play?

 

[Sarahlou]

Unnatural but police stated no suspicious circumstances. Wonder of this is the result of toxicology results? Maybe something unusual in her system but no proof of foul play?

Suicide is classed as unnatural.
I'd be surprised if it's anything other than that.

 

[dotr]

New Details Revealed in Death of Mom of 3 Found in Lake After Buying Groceries at a Gas Station

The cause of death has been revealed for a missing mom of three whose body was found in a lake after she was last seen buying groceries at a gas station in July. The coroner said she suffered an 'unnatural' death, so an inquest has now been opened.

people.com

"Given that an unnatural cause of death has been identified on the post-mortem, it is appropriate for me to formally open the inquest," Coroner Victoria Davies said, according to the BBC.''

''A spokesperson for Cheshire Coroner's Court tells PEOPLE in an email that "information regarding the official cause of death will be available upon the inquest’s conclusion," set for Jan. 27.''

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

Suicide is classed as unnatural.
I'd be surprised if it's anything other than that.

Oh, that would make sense, although how if someone was found in certain circumstances it could ever be determined if they took their own life or were killed is beyond me.

JMO

 

[MollyHarps]

I think the inquest should have added ‘unnatural death as a result of drowning’

I think people have jumped on the sole word of unnatural and now think it’s suspicious which is not helpful.

I think unnatural death with no suspicious circumstances is just a less to the point way of saying she likely completed suicide that night