New Clues Emerge in the Disappearance of Rachel Booth
Motorists have come forward with new information regarding the disappearance of Rachel Booth, a 38-year-old mother of three who was last seen on Saturday, July 19. The incident has sparked widespread concern and renewed efforts by authorities to locate her.
Rachel was reported missing after she was last seen by her family in the village of Barnton near Northwich, Cheshire. Police have released CCTV footage showing her final sighting as she purchased wine and milk along the A556 road in Northwich. This led to several witnesses coming forward, claiming they saw her walking towards Crewe in a yellow coat, possibly hitchhiking.
Two individuals in cars reportedly spotted Rachel between 12:30 pm and 1:15 pm. One witness shared on social media: “I did think what she was doing walking along those roads. We even looked for a broken down car in case that was a factor.” Another added: “It seemed quite a random part of the road to be thumbing a lift. I wondered about a broken down car too, but didn’t spot one anywhere.”
Rachel’s mother, Chrissie Widdowson, confirmed the possible sightings, stating that two people in cars believed they saw Rachel hitchhiking while wearing a yellow coat. She was last seen wearing black leggings, a black vest, and trainers, with a phone visible on her outer thigh, suggesting she may have been out for a run.
Search and rescue teams have been working tirelessly to locate Rachel, scouring 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. Authorities believe she may have traveled to the nearby village of Oakmere, and underwater search teams have been deployed to the sailing lake.
Isaac Carolan, a 19-year-old employee at Sandiway Garage, revealed details of Rachel’s final purchase before she vanished. He mentioned that she bought milk and wine and jogged from 45 minutes away. He noted that she did not appear disturbed or flustered during the transaction.
A shopkeeper at a Premier store in Barnton, where Rachel lives, described her as “a lovely clever lady” who often comes in for parcels. They highlighted her active lifestyle and kind nature, adding that “we all like her.”
Under police appeal, two friends have claimed they may have seen Rachel attempting to hitchhike hours after her last sighting. They described her as being 5ft 9in tall, slim, with blonde hair, and wearing a yellow jacket or cardigan. The sighting occurred around the Church Minshull area, approximately eight miles from the petrol station, between 12:30 pm and 1:15 pm on Saturday.
Another witness reported seeing Rachel passing a farm shop at Minshull and walking towards Crewe. Meanwhile, the 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 closure is unrelated to their operations but is necessary to aid the investigation.
Inspector James Wilson of Cheshire Constabulary emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that officers and partner agencies are conducting inquiries in the Oakmere and surrounding areas. He urged anyone with information to come forward, adding that they are appealing directly to Rachel to contact them if she is safe.
Wild Shore Delamere has also issued a statement, apologizing for any inconvenience caused by the closure and offering refunds or rescheduling for affected bookings. The site will remain closed until further notice.
As the search continues, the community remains on edge, hoping for any new leads that could bring Rachel home safely. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Cheshire Police via 101 or through the official website.
