08-07-2025
Pictured: Woman who died after 'falling from high-rise building' was domestic abuse charity hero
A woman who died after falling from a high-rise building in a busy city centre street has been pictured and named as a domestic abuse charity worker.
Rachel O'Hare, in her 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene on Monday, June 30 after emergency services were called to Great Ancoats Street in Manchester at around 7am.
Police launched an investigation and the area around the Leonardo Hotel and Victoria House apartments was cordoned off.
Tributes have now poured in for the widely-respected fundraiser, who dedicated her time to helping vulnerable women in refuges.
Ms O'Hare's charity Elle for Elle aimed to support women in need by offering them basic toiletries and beauty products, with the organisation even understood to be the subject of praise in Westminster.
Her charity was then dissolved in 2022, according to Companies House.
Along with the enterprise, Ms O'Hare is believed to have held a role with the The Cheshire Magazine, coordinating charity events both in the area and further afield.
Ms O'Hare is originally from the Wirral and is also believed to have been a mother, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Launching an investigation, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it appeared she had fallen from a building.
An incident command van was called to the scene, as well as ambulances and police cars.
GMP said on June 30: 'We were called to Great Ancoats Street at about 7am to reports the body of a woman had been found.
'It appears she [had] fallen from a building but officers are currently investigating to determine the circumstances.'
Dutch tourist Paul Melis, 34, who was staying at the Leonardo Hotel next door, said: 'Apparently she fell in the early hours.
'It's very sad. We had something to eat and came back at midnight and nothing had happened.
'Then we were told the police were there and a woman was found on the pavement after falling from the flats.
'It's very sad.'
A police cordon was in place for nearly six hours before it was dismantled by police. The area had also been cleaned.
One worker said: 'I was told she had fallen from one of the upper flats. I think she was a resident but I'm not sure who she was.'
Builder Matt Armstrong, 29, said: 'There was a police van and blue flashing flat when I arrived this morning.
'There was a lot of police everywhere and people looked shocked.
'People walking to work had seen the body. It's shocking.'
