Influencer and mum-of-five Raechelle Chase dies suddenly as loved ones pay tribute to 'bright light'

Fitness influencer and mum-of-five Raechelle Chase has died suddenly, it has been revealed, as her family and friends have paid tribute to her.

Chase, who was a bodybuilder with more than one million collective followers across her social media channels, had gained fans for the fitness tips she shared online. She died unexpectedly earlier this month, and since her death was announced tributes have been left for her online.

The cause of her death has not yet been announced, but the 41-year-old leaves behind five children, including seven-year-old twins. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice confirmed Raechelle's death was before the coroner. "Given the recent nature of the death, no further information is available at this stage," a spokesperson told New Zealand site Stuff.

So, just who was Raechelle Chase and what tributes have been left to her? Here's everything you need to know.

Who was Raechelle Chase?

Raechelle Chase was a 41-year-old fitness influencer and bodybuilder from New Zealand. Her Instagram page listed several of her accomplishments, including being a Ms Figure Olympia 2011 competitor. In fact, she was the first New Zealander to qualify for an Olympia body building event.

She was also a mother of five children, including seven-year-old twins. She shared her children with her former husband Chris Chase, who she separated from in 2015 after 14 years together, according to reports in the Mirror. Her children are Annaliese, Kingston, Dior-Rose, Carlos and Jax. Chase was also a grandmother.

She was best known for posting inspirational content relating to health and fitness, and in particular staying fit as a single mum. In recent months, she became a model and graced the covers of magazines such as Oxygen Magazine, a US-based women's fitness based publication. She also offered online fitness mentoring advice for others who wanted to get fit like her.

In Chase's last Instagram post, which was posted three weeks before her death, she said: "Growth can be painful, change can be painful but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong."

What tributes have been left to Raechelle Chase?

Raechelle's eldest daughter, Annaliese Chase, known as Anna, led the tributes to her. She said her mum sacrificed so much to give herself and her siblings an exciting life and also 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."

Daughter Dior-Rose also left a tribute to her late mum online. She wrote: “Love you more than anything you beautiful soul, rest easy love you forever. Holding you with me always.”

Keith O’Connell, a friend of Chase’s, said her death was “sudden and unexpected”, and she was one of the “kindest souls” he had known. Another friend, known as 'FitBodz4Life' online, also posted a tribute to her. It read: "This is just devastating!! I’m devastated!! Oh my beautiful friend!!! I can’t believe the headline I read!! This one hurts!! We had so many chats!!"

It continued: "This is so so wrong, so unfair!! Your strength, your courage, your fighting spirit in adversity, you kept going! Every training session I have now - they’ll be for you beautiful!! My thoughts are with your beautiful children. May you Rest In Peace."

Another friend of Chase's, Mrs Lady Hawk, said it was terrible for her 'her beautiful children and grand baby' to have lost her. She said: "I am extremely saddened and shocked to hear of Raechelle’s passing. She was a bright light and I’m so happy to have know her. Rest is peace beautiful."