Jade Damarell, a 32-year-old marketing manager and experienced skydiver, died on April 27, 2025, after deliberately not deploying her parachutes during a jump from 15,500 feet over farmland near Shotton Colliery, County Durham. The inquest into her death, held at Crook Civic Centre on August 21, 2025, concluded that she had taken her own life, a verdict that has sent ripples through both the skydiving community and the wider public.
According to multiple sources including BBC, The Guardian, and Daily Mail, Jade was no novice in the skies. She had completed more than 500 jumps in her career, making her a highly respected figure among her peers. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Caerphilly, Wales, she was known for her adventurous spirit and her passion for skydiving, which she shared with many friends and, notably, her recent romantic partner.
The day before her death, Jade completed six jumps without incident, a testament to her skill and composure. Bryn Chaffe, co-owner of Sky-High Skydiving, recalled seeing her eating toast in the café before her final jump, noting that nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Weather conditions on the day were reportedly good, and all of her equipment had been checked and found to be in perfect working order by British Skydiving, the sport's governing body in the UK.
However, on April 27, Jade made a series of deliberate choices that pointed to her intent. She did not wear her usual helmet camera, a GoPro she often used to record her jumps, and, crucially, she switched off her automatic activation device (AAD). This safety device is designed to deploy a parachute automatically if the skydiver is unable to do so by a certain altitude or speed. Without it, and with neither her main nor reserve parachute deployed, Jade fell for about 60 seconds before impacting the ground, dying instantly from blunt force trauma. A post-mortem confirmed that no alcohol or drugs were present in her system.
The inquest heard that Jade had left clear instructions on her phone's lock screen on how to access it, directing anyone who found it to check the Notes folder. Inside were messages for her family, including apologies, expressions of gratitude for their support, and details regarding her finances. Detective Inspector Andrew Stephenson, who attended the scene, confirmed the existence of these notes and described how they provided insight into Jade's state of mind in the hours before her death.
One of the most poignant revelations from the inquest was the timing of her actions. Dr Leslie Hamilton, the assistant coroner, summarized a statement from Jade's former partner, fellow skydiver Ben Goodfellow, which stated that their relationship had ended the night before her death. The couple, who had been together for around eight months, were bonded by their mutual love of skydiving. The coroner did not delve into further detail about the breakup, but the proximity of the relationship's end to Jade's death was a central fact in the investigation.
Dr Hamilton, in delivering his verdict, said, "On that morning she chose not to activate her safety device, chose not to wear her camera and her parachutes—both main and reserve, which were in full working order—she made no attempt to deploy these during the descent. Did she take her own life? Yes she did." He added, addressing Jade's parents, "There is nothing I can say to mum and dad in these circumstances. I am so sorry for your loss and can’t begin to think as a parent what it must be like to have lost your daughter in these circumstances."
Jade's family attended the inquest remotely and later released a statement, quoted by BBC and The Guardian: "Our beloved daughter Jade was a brilliant, beautiful, brave and truly extraordinary person. A bright, adventurous, free spirit, she lived with immense energy, passion and love and touched countless lives with her warmth and kindness." Her mother, Elizabeth, shared at the inquest, "She lived a life filled with achievement; adventure; kindness; generosity of spirit and freedom. She excelled academically and inspired those around her." The family expressed their gratitude for the support shown by the skydiving community and the compassion of the authorities involved.
In the aftermath, the skydiving community has been left to reflect on Jade's legacy and the importance of mental health support. Jeff Montgomery, head of safety and training at British Skydiving, stated, "We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jade Damarell and it is an extremely tragic incident." Her family echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing their hope to contribute to a culture where "mental ill-health is met with kindness and support, and where people in deep distress, and those around them, feel seen, believed, and able to reach for support without fear of judgment."
The case has also highlighted the meticulous nature of skydiving investigations. Initial reports had assumed Jade's death was a tragic accident, but subsequent technical analysis and the absence of any equipment malfunction quickly pointed to a deliberate act. The British Skydiving Association confirmed that Jade's parachutes were in good condition and that, during her six jumps the previous day, all equipment worked as intended. The official report stated, "There was no deployment of the main or reserve chutes. The board believe she did not make any attempt to pull the main or reserve chutes. The freefall descent went without incident until 4,000ft when the deceased made no attempt to deploy her parachute and elected to remain in freefall until she impacted the ground."
Jade's story is a stark reminder of the unseen struggles that can accompany even the most outwardly vibrant lives. Her family's words, "Some stars are so bright, they burn through their time too quickly, but their light never truly fades," capture the enduring impact she had on those around her. For those affected by issues raised in this story, confidential support is available through organizations such as Samaritans and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Jade Damarell's legacy will live on not only in the memories of her loved ones but also in the conversations her story has sparked about compassion, mental health, and the importance of reaching out—no matter how high we soar.
