A TRAGIC mum-of-four was killed by the cold snap after slipping on ice while out jogging and then freezing to death, police believe.
Rachel Adams went missing on Sunday after leaving her home in Fife to exercise and was found dead the following morning – barely 50 metres from her front door.
Investigators believe the fit 47-year-old badly hurt herself when she fell and they died of hypothermia as temperatures hovered around freezing.
Gordonstoun-educated Mrs Adams – the wife of one of Scotland’s top advertising men – had recently recovered from broken bones suffered while decorating the family Christmas tree.
An Met Office spokeswoman said the temperature when she left home – dressed only in jogging gear – would have been barely half a degree above freezing.
But strong winds in the area would have made the temperature feel about three below.
A source close to the investigation said they had ruled out any suspicious circumstances in Mrs Adams’ death.
“Falling while out running is pretty much it,” said the source.
“I suspect she died from hypothermia given the cold weather but at this stage we are not 100% sure.
“But we can say for definite there has been no foul play here – it seems to have been an accident.”
Mrs Adams was married to marketing guru Phil Adams, a former managing director of Scotland’s leading advertising firm Leith Agency.
He was responsible for a number of well-known campaigns such as Irn-Bru’s take on classic animation The Snowman.
Rachel’s husband later paid tribute to her, saying: “Rachel was a born carer.
“She had the caring capacity of ten normal people.
“This made her a great nurse, an outstanding mother and the best wife a man could hope for.
“She was taken from us far too soon.”
The couple lived at Clinthill House on the Fordell Estate, just north of Dalgety Bay, with their four daughters.
As well as attending Gordonstoun School, Moray – the same school as Prince Charles – Mrs Adams was educated at the Bristol Old Vic theatre school.
A neighbour said Mrs Adams was a very fit person who jogged regularly and liked using her running as a way to raise money for charity.
She posted pictures of herself on Facebook using a chainsaw to chop up fallen trees near her home.
The neighbour said: “She was always outdoors. Either running her regular route around the estate or walking her two dogs.
“She was a friendly person who would stop for a chat. She was also involved in the residents’ group.
“I know she worked as a cancer nurse in Edinburgh and recently ran a half marathon for a cancer charity.
“She was very close to all her children, who went to the local schools.
“When we heard she was missing after going out for a jog, we all just hoped she had sprained her ankle.”
Ms Adams also worked for Growforth plant suppliers in Hillend.
Growforth manager Stan Green said: “She worked with us for a year or so on a relatively informal basis.
“She was involved in lots of things, supporting the community and was active within schools.
“She was a gragarious lady and was known to lots of communities.”
Aberdour Festival committee chairman Roy Devon said: “She was involved with the festival for a long time.
“I’m sure many parents are indebted to her because she helped with the children’s programme.
“She was an absolute stalwart. The children’s programme is probably the most important part of the festival and she came up with lots of fun things for children to do throughout the years.
“She will be sadly missed. The whole community’s thoughts are with Phil and the girls.”
Mrs Adams posted on Facebook in January about her relief at having her plaster cast removed.
She wrote: “I can at long last after 6 wks wash my right hand & my left shoulder blade… Xmas came close to a massive panicky flop!”
“Tragic”
Mr Adams is currently director of Blonde Digital ltd, an Edinburgh-based digital marketing company.
Fordell castle, on the estate was bought by the late Conservative politician Sir Nicholas Fairbairn, and he is laid to rest on the castle’s grounds.
The castle was sold for £3,850,000 in November 2007, one of the highest-value property sales ever in Scotland.
Fife Police Superintendent Dougie Milton said: “We are continuing our investigation into the tragic death of Rachel Adams. At this stage there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.
“We await the result of the Post Mortem examination and at this time our thoughts are with Rachel’s family.”
A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal later today.
