Bodybuilder Raechelle Chase dies, suddenly leaving behind 5 children she shares with her ex-husband, Chris, as heartbroken daughter says mum ‘inspired millions’.
Two months ahead for 2023 to end and the fitness world has already said goodbye to many beloved bodybuilders.
Among them include Mr Olympia star Neil Curry who passed in September 2023, aged 34, nutritional advisor and personal trainer Justyn Vicky, who died at age 33, following a tragic accident at a gym in Sanur, Bali and Jo Lindner, a German bodybuilder, and fitness influencer who died on June 30, 2023, just to mention a few.
In October 2023, a new name was added to the list of bodybuilders who passed this year. Popular New Zealand fitness influencer Raechelle Chase’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes for the “kind-hearted” mum of five.
Below is more about Raechelle Chase; her career, death, husband, and children.
Who was Raechelle Chase?
Raechelle was most well known for being a former bodybuilder, social media celebrity, fitness model, and influencer who offered online fitness mentoring.
Chase was born in 1979, in New Zealand but was brought up in Whangarei.
Originally, she had wanted a career as a kindergarten teacher before becoming obsessed with the gym and working out. After it took over her life, she competed professionally in bodybuilding and developed a physique that blew away most other women.
Her career started in bodybuilding where she became the first Kiwi woman to have taken part in the Figure Olympia bodybuilding event back in 2011 in Las Vegas.
She later became an “internet sensation” getting a whopping 1.4million Facebook followers.
On her social accounts, she showed off her own fitness journey and offered classes and one-to-one sessions to help her fans get in shape.
Chase would often post inspirational messages alongside snaps of her in the gym.
Her popularity led her to appear on several magazine front covers throughout her career.
Who was Raechelle Chase’s husband?
At the time of Raechelle Chase’s death, she was not known to have been married and her recent relationship status was also unclear.
However, she was previously married to her now ex-husband, Chris Chase.
Raechelle and ex-Chris were married for 14 years up until February 2015, when they became embroiled in a messy divorce.
In 2016, she became a household name in Australia and New Zealand after publicly talking about her experience leaving a “toxic and abusive” relationship she fell into after separating from her husband Chris.
Chris was put behind bars for 10 years after being arrested in 2012 for his role in distributing a designer drug, similar to ecstasy, around New Zealand.
“The relationship I was in taught me many things about what I don’t want, and what I need to steer very clear off,” she wrote on Stuff.
“It wasn’t just me that suffered, it was my entire family.
“So if you know you are in an abusive relationship and you don’t have the courage to leave, do it for your children.
“Grab hold of whatever you need long enough to survive crawling out of that hole because I promise you it will be worth it.”
How many children did Raechelle Chase have?
Raechelle Chase was a proud mother.
She had five children; including sons and daughters.
The known names of her kids are Annaliese “Anna” Chase, Carlos Chase, Dior-Rose Chase, Kingston Chase, and Jax Chase.
She shared her children with her ex-husband, Chris Chase.
View this post on InstagramIncredibly, Raechelle did her first competition when her third child Dior was just ten months old.
After having her first three children her career was put on hold for a few years but she swiftly got back into competing and went on to have a very successful career even after giving birth.
Her eldest daughter, Anna, released a statement following her mother’s death, explaining how her mum sacrificed so much to give her children an exciting life and managed to achieve every goal she set for herself.
”She 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.
”I miss her immensely and that love won’t ever fade”.
When and how did Raechelle Chase die?
Raechelle died in October 2023, with her cause of death still unknown.
According to reports she passed away suddenly and the New Zealand Coroner is currently investigating the death due to the unexpected nature.
A spokesman for the New Zealand Ministry of Justice said: “Given the recent nature of the death, no further information is available at this stage.”
Since her passing, tributes have come pouring out as the fitness icon was a much-loved member of the community.
View this post on InstagramHer eldest daughter, Anna Chase, said her mum sacrificed so much to give her children an exciting life and managed to achieve every goal she set for herself.
She said: ”She 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.
”I miss her immensely and that love won’t ever fade.”
Keith O’Connell, a friend of Raechelle’s, said she was one of the “kindest souls” he had known.”
View this post on InstagramThe former bodybuilding star was last active on social media on September 30.
“Growth can be painful, change can be painful but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong,” she posted on Instagram to her 1.4million followers.
She also shared photos from a magazine photoshoot on Facebook late last month.
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