**Body Discovered in Cheshire Lake Confirmed as Missing Mother-of-Three Rachel Booth**
Authorities have confirmed that a body recovered from a lake in Oakmere, Cheshire, has been formally identified as that of Rachel Booth, a 38-year-old mother who was reported missing at the weekend. The discovery brings a tragic conclusion to an extensive search operation that gripped the local community over recent days.
Rachel Booth, a resident of Barnton, near Northwich, was first reported missing in the early hours of Saturday morning. Her last confirmed sighting was captured on CCTV, showing her entering a garage store in Sandiway at approximately 3:50am. This image would become central to the police investigation, as officers and volunteers launched urgent searches in an attempt to locate her.
Cheshire Police released a statement on Tuesday morning confirming the identification of the body and offered condolences to Rachel’s family. “Rachel’s family continue to be supported by specialist officers from Cheshire Police,” said a police spokeswoman. The news has prompted an outpouring of sorrow from the local community, who had followed the case closely as efforts to find her intensified.
Over the weekend, the Wild Shore Delamere water park, located near the Delamere Lake holiday park, was closed as police teams and emergency services conducted exhaustive searches in and around the lake. Specialist divers were seen combing the area as part of their operation, which ultimately led to the discovery of the body on Monday.
Police have stated that there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding Ms Booth’s death. As is routine, a file is being prepared for the coroner to investigate the events leading up to her passing in accordance with legal procedure. While police continue to provide support to the grieving family, they have not released further details out of respect for their privacy at this difficult time.
Rachel Booth’s disappearance sparked widespread concern amongst friends, family, and neighbours who remembered her as a devoted and caring mother of three. Many in Barnton and the wider Northwich area assisted in raising awareness of her disappearance, sharing social media appeals and volunteering to help in the search.
The police response to the incident was swift, reflecting the seriousness with which missing person cases are treated, particularly when vulnerable individuals are involved. The rapid closure and search of Delamere Lake highlights the collaborative efforts between emergency services and the community in moments of crisis.
As the local community comes to terms with the loss, tributes have been paid to Ms Booth across social media, with many expressing sympathy for her children and family. Messages from friends and well-wishers reflect the impact Rachel had on those around her and the sense of shock felt at the news of her passing.
With the conclusion of the active search, the focus now shifts to the formal investigation by the coroner. In the meantime, support continues to be offered to Rachel’s loved ones and the close-knit local community she leaves behind. The authorities have also expressed their gratitude to all those who assisted during the search and have urged the public to respect the privacy of the Booth family in the days ahead.