Experienced Skydiver Jade Damarell Died by Suicide Following Relationship Split, Inquest Finds
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A 32-year-old woman with over 500 skydives to her name deliberately ended her life during a jump in County Durham, England, after recently ending a relationship and leaving behind notes apologizing to her family, an inquest concluded on Thursday. Jade Damarell, described as “deeply loved” by those who knew her, fell approximately 15,000 feet to her death on April 27th after intentionally disabling safety mechanisms and failing to deploy her parachutes.
From Experienced Jumper to Intentional Act
Initial reports suggested a tragic accident, but investigators quickly determined Ms. Damarell’s death was a deliberate act. her equipment was reported to be in “good condition” and had functioned as intended during six jumps the previous day. However, on the day of her death, “she did not make any attempt to pull the main or reserve chutes,” the report stated. Witnesses confirmed she appeared normal before the jump, with one observer noting she was seen eating toast in the SkyHigh Skydiving café.
A Life Marked by Achievement and Recent Heartbreak
Ms. Damarell, originally from Hong kong and raised in Wales, had recently relocated to lodgings near SkyHigh Skydiving. She had previously been married to solicitor James Damarell, with the couple divorcing some time ago. At the time of her death, she was in a relationship with fellow skydiver Ben Goodfellow, 26, which had ended the night before the jump.Mr. Goodfellow stated they “shared a love of skydiving.”
The inquest heard testimony from Ms. Damarell’s mother, Elizabeth, who described her daughter as a woman who “lived a life filled with achievement; adventure; kindness; generosity of spirit and freedom.” She added that Jade “excelled academically and inspired those around her.” Elizabeth Damarell was visibly emotional during the proceedings, watching via video link.
Final Notes and the Coroner’s Conclusion
A review of Ms. Damarell’s phone revealed a note on the lock screen directing investigators to a notes folder. Within that folder, officers found messages written at 2:30 a.m. to her family, “apologising and thanking them for their support,” as well as details regarding her financial arrangements.
Pathologist Dr.James Henry confirmed Ms. Damarell’s injuries were promptly fatal. Detective Inspector Andrew Stephenson of Durham constabulary summarized the case, highlighting the deliberate nature of her actions.
Coroner Dr. Leslie Hamilton, delivering the conclusion of suicide, stated Ms. Damarell was an “experienced skydiver who had a love of skydiving and it was one of her passions.” He emphasized that on the morning of her death, she “chose not to activate her safety device, chose not to wear her camera and her parachutes both main and reserve…she made no attempt to deploy these during the descent.” He affirmed, “Did she take her own life? Yes she did.”
Addressing the family, Dr.Hamilton offered his condolences, acknowledging the unimaginable pain of losing a child in such circumstances.
In a statement released following the inquest, the Damarell family acknowledged the coroner’s findings and expressed gratitude for the support they had received. They described Jade as a “brilliant, beautiful, brave and truly extraordinary person” and expressed hope that by speaking openly about her struggles, they could contribute to a culture where mental health is treated with kindness and support. “We miss Jade beyond words, but Jade’s love, brilliance, courage and light will live on in our family and among all those who knew and loved her,” the statement concluded.
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