Raechelle Chase was a bodybuilder and fitness influencer from New Zealand who had over 1.4 million followers on Facebook. She regularly posted inspirational pictures and videos of herself at the gym.
Chase’s most recent post of herself included pictures from a photoshoot for Oxygen magazine. Unfortunately, Chase’s days at photoshoots and in the gym are over. Her oldest daughter, Anna, has confirmed her mother’s death.
In a statement, Anna told News.com.au that her mother was “supportive, kind-hearted and always had the best advice for us. She was a wildly driven woman with ambition and has inspired millions of people around the world.” She added, “I miss her immensely, and that love won’t ever fade.”
Upon hearing the news of her death, Chase’s friend, Keith O‘Connell, shared his shock. He explained, “Not going to lie, very few things in my life hit me as hard as your passing… You had so much left to live. So much love to give.” He continued, “You were, still are, and always will be one of the kindest beautiful souls I will ever have experienced.”
During her life, Chase appeared on 14 different magazine covers, including the recent cover for Oxygen magazine. In 2011, she also made history as the first woman from New Zealand to ever compete in the Olympia bodybuilding event held in Las Vegas.
Chase was married for 14 years to a man named Chris Chase. The couple had five children together before they divorced in 2015. Chris was sentenced to 10 years in jail for dealing a drug similar to MDMA.
After her divorce, Chase wrote an article for Stuff urging people to leave their abusive spouses for the sake of their children. She wrote, “If you know you are in an abusive relationship and you don’t have the courage to leave, do it for your children.” She added, “Grab hold of whatever you need long enough to survive crawling out of that hole because I promise you it will be worth it.”
Chase’s cause of death has not yet been revealed, and her death is currently under investigation. Her death was sudden and unexpected. She is survived by her children.
