Skydiver Jade Damarell, 32, Died by Suicide After 15,000ft Fall Without Deploying Parachute

Jade Damarell, 32, plunged to her death during a skydive in April

An inquest has confirmed that skydiver Jade Damarell, 32, died by suicide after falling 15,000ft without deploying her parachute during a jump in County Durham. The experienced skydiver left behind heartbreaking notes for her loved ones before her fatal fall on April 27.

Damarell, a marketing manager and well-regarded member of the skydiving community, had completed more than 400 successful jumps prior to the tragedy. She left a notes folder at around 2.30am on the day of her death, in which she apologised, thanked her family for their support, and provided details of her financial account passwords.

Jade was a highly experienced skydiver who had completed more than 400 jumps

The inquest heard that Damarell had recently ended her relationship with her boyfriend, 26-year-old car technician and musician Ben Goodfellow, with whom she shared a mutual passion for skydiving. Goodfellow confirmed in a statement that the couple had split the night before her death.

On the morning of the incident, Damarell had breakfast at the skydive centre at 8.30am before boarding the aircraft for a 10am jump. She was not wearing a camera on her helmet at the time. She landed on farmland in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, where she was later found by Bryn Chaffe, chief instructor at the skydiving firm.

Ms Damarell was in a relationship with car technician and musician Ben Goodfellow

Coroner Dr. Leslie Hamilton ruled her death as suicide and offered condolences to her family.

In tribute, Damarell’s mother, Liz Samuels, later completed a skydive to honour her daughter’s memory. In a family statement, they described Jade as a “bright, adventurous, free spirit” who was admired and deeply loved within her skydiving community. They thanked Sky-High Skydiving and the “SkyFam” community for their compassion and support, saying the organisation helped them celebrate Jade’s life with a fitting farewell.

The family added: “By speaking openly and without shame, we hope to contribute to a culture where mental ill-health is met with kindness and support, and where people in deep distress feel able to reach for help without fear of judgment. We miss Jade beyond words, but her love, brilliance, courage and light will live on in our family and among all who knew and loved her.”

Jade Damarell and her mum Liz Samuels