Search for Missing Mother Enters Third Day
The search for Rachel Booth, a 38-year-old mother of three, has entered its third day as authorities and community members continue to look for any sign of her. She was last seen by her family in the village of Barnton near Northwich, Cheshire, on Saturday, July 19, sparking a large-scale search operation.
Cheshire Constabulary recently released CCTV footage showing Rachel’s last known sighting. The video captures her walking around the Sandiway Garage, located along the A556 west of Northwich, at 3:50 am on Saturday. Rachel was seen wearing black leggings, a black vest, and trainers, with a phone visible on her outer thigh, suggesting she was out for a run. Her appearance and behavior at the time did not raise any immediate concerns.
Search and rescue teams have been working tirelessly to locate Rachel. They have scoured areas such as Delamere Lake Sailing & Holiday Park and Wild Shore water sports centre, which are approximately a mile and a half from her last known location. Police believe she may have traveled to the nearby village of Oakmere, and underwater search teams have also been deployed to the sailing lake.
Isaac Carolan, a 19-year-old employee at the Sandiway Garage, shared details about Rachel’s final purchase before she disappeared. He mentioned that she bought milk and wine and jogged from 45 minutes away. He noted that she did not seem disturbed or flustered during the transaction.
Another shopkeeper at a Premier store in Barnton, where Rachel lives, described her as a “lovely clever lady” who often comes in for parcels. He emphasized her active lifestyle and friendly nature, stating that everyone in the community likes her.
As part of the ongoing investigation, two friends claimed they may have spotted Rachel attempting to hitchhike hours after her last sighting. They described her as being 5ft 9in tall, slim, and with blonde hair. One witness mentioned seeing her wearing a yellow jacket or cardigan near the Church Minshull area, about eight miles from the petrol station, between 12:30 pm and 1:15 pm on Saturday. Another witness reported seeing her passing a farm shop in Minshull and heading towards Crewe.
Nearby water park Wild Shore Delamere has been temporarily shut down due to ongoing police investigations in the surrounding area. The company stated that the incident is unrelated to them but expressed willingness to assist by closing the site until further notice. Affected bookings will be handled through customer services, with options for refunds or rescheduling.
Rachel’s mother, Chrissie Widdowson, has joined the police appeal to find her daughter. Friends and members of the public have also shared messages expressing concern for Rachel. One man who grew up near her described her as one of the nicest people you could meet. Another highlighted her role as a mother of three with “three gorgeous boys and a loving husband.”
A local beauty salon, Liz Almond Aesthetics, shared photos of Rachel, noting that she is a client of theirs. The salon urged everyone to share information to help bring her home safely.
Inspector James Wilson of Cheshire Constabulary said the police are following multiple lines of inquiry and are increasingly concerned for Rachel’s welfare. He thanked local businesses for their patience and understanding during the ongoing investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact them immediately.
Wild Shore Delamere has confirmed that it will remain closed on Sunday, July 20, due to the police investigation. The company apologized for any inconvenience caused and assured customers that the closure is unrelated to the incident. Affected bookings will be handled accordingly.
Police have urged Rachel to get in touch to let them know she is safe. Information can be reported via 101 or through the official website, quoting IML-2136439.
