Rachel Booth's heartbroken family issue tribute to 'guiding light' mum after body found

The heartbroken family of Rachel Booth have hailed her as a "guiding light whose strengths love, and devotion touched us all" - after her body was found in a lake when she vanished while having an jog. The mother-of-three, 38, vanished in the early hours of last Saturday from her and husband Carl's red-brick semi-detached home in Barnton, near Northwich, Cheshire.

At 3.50am CCTV captured her 7.1miles away at the 24-hour Waitrose shop of the Shell petrol station, in Sandiway, in black leggings, black vest top and trainers buying milk and wine - though it's unclear if she drove or ran there. Later that day, Cheshire Police closed off a lake in Oakmere around 2 miles on from the petrol station and began searching the land with sniffer dogs and the water with divers - recovering her body on Monday. There are no suspicious circumstances and a file will be passed to the coroner.

Now her shattered husband Carl, 47 - who she wed in 2022 - and her three sons aged six, 10 and 13 have paid tribute to her in an emotional statement sent out by Cheshire Police who have been supporting them in their grief.

They also released a new photograph of the popular mum, showing her sat smiling in a green dress at a family party.

The family said: "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.

"Her absence leaves a space, but her smiles are a memory we will treasure for ever."

Rachel Booth was also known by her married name Rachel Langley. Helena was her middle name. Her family have requested privacy while they come to terms with their loss.

News of Ms Booth's death shocked the 6,000-strong local community of Barnton, a picturesque village boasting several 'new build' estates off the main Runcorn Road, and nestled beside the historic Trent and Mersey Canal, built in 1775.

A local resident passing by Ms Booth's street on Monday afternoon said: "Heartbreaking. This is not the news we wanted to hear. Our heart goes out to the family."

While in the Premier store on the main road, shattered Raj Kaur, 30, said: "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. She had three children - it's such a sad time now."

Her mother Chrissie Widdowson, 59, had been sharing police's updates to friends, family and local residents on social media, desperate for a positive sighting that could lead to her daughter being found.

One friend prayed for good news for "lovely Rachel" - while another described Rachel as a "lovely person".

One man, who "grew up around the corner" from praised Ms Booth as "honestly one of the nicest people you could meet." Another said she had "three gorgeous boys" and a "loving husband."

A close family member reported her missing in the early hours of Saturday and there was evidence to suggest she had travelled to the lake, where the main police activity was focused.

CCTV then captured her in the 24-hour Waitrose shop of the Shell petrol station, in Sandiway, on the main A556, at 3.50am buying milk and wine - before vanishing again.

A worker at the petrol station 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. But it didn't seem weird, she didn't seem disturbed or flustered."

Later that day, officers closed off the Wild Shore Delamere water sports centre and Delamere Lake Sailing and Holiday Park at Oakmere, used for open water swimming, paddleboarding and wakeboarding. Several police cars and fire engines were also seen in attendance.