Rachel Barrett was the beautiful and free-spirited older sister of Katherine, and former fiancée of Alistair Crane. When she had changed her mind about marrying him, Alistair had faked her death and then held her captive for years, beating her and raping her whenever he wanted. She escaped at one point, then disappeared, faking her own death for many years until returning to town shortly after Alistair married Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald. Alistair was terrified to see her alive and well, but Katherine was thrilled that her sister wasn't dead after all. Rachel soon regained the once-close relationship she had with her sister, and encouraged Katherine to pursue Martin, even though he was married to Pilar.