San Rachel, a model and outspoken advocate for inclusivity in the Indian beauty industry, allegedly died by suicide on Sunday at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry. She was 26.
Rachel was admitted to Jipmer after her health deteriorated following an overdose of sleeping pills, allegedly consumed on July 5, according to police sources. She was initially treated at the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and was later admitted to a private hospital in Moolakulam before being transferred to Jipmer. A post-mortem examination is scheduled for Monday.
An alleged suicide note recovered from her father’s home stated that no one should be held responsible for her death. A Tahsildar-level inquiry has been ordered to examine the circumstances, officials said.
Born and raised in Puducherry, Rachel lost her mother at a young age and was brought up by her father, D Gandhi, 57. With his encouragement, she entered the modelling world and rose to prominence despite early rejections due to her skin tone – an experience that shaped her later activism.
She won several regional and national beauty titles, including Miss Dark Queen Tamil Nadu (2019), Miss Best Attitude (2019), Miss Puducherry (2020/2021), and Queen of Madras (2022 and 2023). She was runner-up in Miss Africa Golden India (2023). She represented India at events in London, Germany, France, and South Africa.
Rachel was also the founder of Rose Noire Fashion Grooming, a pageant and modelling mentorship platform. On social media, she often used her visibility to challenge colourism and promote self-acceptance among young women.
She was recently married and living with her husband in Puducherry.
