Rachel Jackson‘s body was discovered by police after she went missing on Friday night, and tributes have been made to her.
Ms. Jackson, a 38-year-old Didsbury resident, was last seen around 7 p.m. on Friday in Avenham, Preston, near Wadham Road.
She had driven from Manchester to Preston to see friends, and after spending the evening with them, she announced that she needed to walk outside for ten minutes to get some fresh air.
She never came back.
Friends had earlier said that after she left the property, she did not return, and gave no indication before she left as to where she was going.
At the time she went missing, a description of Rachel was published and she was described as white, between 5ft 6in and 5ft 7in tall, slim and with blonde dreadlocks.
She was last seen wearing a multi-coloured ski jacket, bright coloured Pokemon jeans with black swirls and orange trainers.
She was also carrying a pastel coloured ‘Barcelona’ shoulder bag and has an old-style purple Raleigh bicycle with her.
As well as having links to Preston and Manchester, Rachel has links to Blackpool too.
Lancashire Police have now confirmed the body of a woman has been found in Avenham Park.
Rachel’s sister Sarah Jackson has paid tribute to her in a post on a Go Fund Me page to raise money for a ‘beautiful, colourful, Rachel-esque send off’.
Sarah said: ‘Yesterday, the unthinkable happened and after an awful day of searching, the news came in that my precious, beautiful sister had been found dead.
‘I never thought I’d have to do this but we need to raise funds to give her the most beautiful, colourful, Rachel-esque send off ever.
‘She was a sparkling ray of sunshine who brought unconditional love, joy and beauty to the lives of every single person she encountered.
‘I’ve never met anyone who loved so purely and deeply, never met anyone with the compassion and empathy she had.
‘She was one in a million and our family are in pieces at having lost the beautiful rainbow in our sky.
‘Our lives will never be the same and the pain is so deep and raw, but your donations will ease the financial struggles for the funeral and memorial at least.
‘I know Rachel’s pure love, zaniness and beauty touched all your lives: please donate whatever you can in memory of this precious, one of a kind soul.’
A statement from the force said: ‘Earlier today (Saturday, April 1) police found the body of a woman in Avenham Park. While she has yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be Rachel. Her next of kin have been informed.
‘The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed to HM Coroner. Our thoughts are with Rachel’s family and friends at this very sad and difficult time.’