Suicide verdict after skydiver fell to her death

A WELSH woman who “loved skydiving” died in County Durham after deliberately choosing not to deploy her parachute or reserve, and having switched off her “automatic activation device” an inquest heard.

- TOM WILKINSON, PA, AND SAM VOLPE

Jade Damarell, 32, died at farmland near an airfield in the Shotton Colliery area on April 27 this year.

An inquest at Crook Coroners’ Court found how Ms Damarell - a marketing manager - had died by suicide.

The hearing, led by coroner Dr Leslie Hamilton, was told her relationship had ended a day earlier.

The inquest heard how Ms Damarell fell to her death from 15,500ft and did not use her main parachute, reserve parachute or the automatic activation device (AAD).

The coroner found she had intended to take her own life.

Her parents Liz and Andrew Samuel observed the hearing remotely. After the inquest, her family released a statement in which they paid a moving tribute to their daughter.

They said: “We acknowledge and accept the conclusion of the coroner’s inquest into our daughter Jade's death. Once again, we express our sincere thanks to all services involved for the care and compassion given.

“We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Sky-High Skydiving and the fantastic ‘SkyFam’ community. You meant so much to Jade, and we're incredibly comforted by how admired, respected and deeply loved, she was. Jade loved the sport with a passion, and it brought her so much joy.