Model San Rechal who fought skin-tone discrimination dies by suicide

Model San Rechal, 26, died by suicide at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research in Chennai.

The 26-year-old model, who rose to prominence in the modelling world and won the Miss Puducherry title in 2022, was known not just for her work but for challenging India’s obsession with fair skin.

A vocal advocate for inclusivity, she spoke out against the discrimination faced by dark-skinned women in fashion and film.

The 26-year-old model had recently married died at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research in Chennai after being moved from two other hospitals.

According to police sources, San Rechal allegedly consumed a large number of tablets during a visit to her father’s house. Though she was initially rushed to a government hospital and later shifted to a private hospital, she was finally admitted to JIPMER, where she died.

Investigators suspect that overwhelming financial stress and personal pressure may have pushed her to take the extreme step, reports NDTV.

San had pledged and sold off her jewellery in recent months to raise funds for her professional pursuits, says report.

A suicide note recovered by the police stated that no one was responsible for her death.

Her untimely death has sparked widespread conversations about mental health, industry pressures, and the persistent stigma around darker skin tones in Indian media. Police investigations are ongoing.