Skydiver who fell 10,000ft to tragic death 'did not suffer equipment failure'

A highly-experienced parachutist who died in a tragic fall during a jump did not suffer any failure in her equipment, an heard today. The hearing in Crook, Co Durham was told some of the tragic details of the death of Jade Damarell. There was 'no reason to suspect' that her kit was not working, the coroner was told.

Ms Damarell, 32, was pronounced dead on farmland at Shotton Colliery, Co Durham. Opening the hearing today, Coroner’s officer Ms Alexis Blighe told the : “I understand the circumstances to be that Ms Damarell was involved in a parachute incident on April 27 2025.”

Asked by Senior Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield if there was any reason to suspect equipment failure, Ms Blighe replied “No reason at all sir.” Ms Damarell had lived in Caerphilly, Wales and was born in Kowloon, Hong Kong, and worked as a marketing manager until her death.

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Pathologist Dr James Jenry, who carried out a post-mortem examination at the RVI in Newcastle, said she died of a blunt trauma. Ms Damarell had split from her husband and had been living with a new man before her death. A skydiver who had accomplished more than 400 jumps, she died instantly after hitting the ground.

Initial reports had assumed Ms Damarell’s death was a tragic accident. But SkyHigh Skydiving issued a statement saying her death was suspected to have been 'a deliberate act'.

It is understood police quickly marked the tragedy as non-suspicious after discovering a note disclosing her intentions. Ms Damarell had been living in lodgings in Shotton, Co Durham, since the end of last year, renting a double bed in a house used by skydivers staying over in the village.

At the time of the tragedy it was said that Ms Damarell, a keen skydiver who had jumped around 80 times this year, deliberately failed to open her parachute as she plunged at speeds of more than 120mph.

A friend of Ms Damarell said: "This wasn't a skydiving accident - we believe she intended to take her life, sadly. She skydived with someone else, broke off and turned onto her back and impacted. She chose not to open her parachute and she landed on her back."

Police and emergency services were called to nearby Wreford's Farm, where she landed, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. One person is believed to have witnessed the horror.

Friend Danni Willis, who worked at SkyHigh Skydiving, posted pictures of Ms Damarell on , adding: "Such a beautiful girl inside and out."

SkyHigh Skydiving confirmed the death in a statement and said they had been given 'all indications' from police that 'this was a deliberate act'.

A spokesman said: "It is with great sadness that we confirm a tragic incident took place on 28 April 2025 involving a valued member of our community. All indications from the police and British Skydiving are that this was a deliberate act taken to end her own life.

"This heartbreaking news has deeply affected all who knew her, and our thoughts are with her family and friends as they face this unimaginable loss. At this incredibly difficult time, we ask for privacy and compassion for those grieving.'

The centre added: "If you are struggling or in emotional distress, please know that you are not alone. Support is available. We urge anyone in crisis to speak to someone or reach out to a mental health professional.

"Even in the darkest moments, there is help and hope.' A Durham Constabulary spokesperson confirmed: 'A woman sadly died following a skydiving incident near Peterlee.

"Police officers and colleagues from the ambulance service were called to the incident in Shotton Colliery at around 10.30am on Sunday April 27.

"Sadly, a woman in her thirties was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will now be prepared for the coroner."

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: "We were called to an incident at Shotton Colliery in County Durham on Sunday 27 April at 10:17. We dispatched one ambulance crew and one specialist paramedic to the incident.'

Wreford Farm released a statement via Facebook, which read: "Tragically, last Sunday 27/4/25 a woman lost her life after a parachute incident/accident, please join us in saying a prayer for her and her family, we ask the Lord to accept her into the kingdom of heaven and strength to her family. We ask for our own and farms privacy for this deeply upsetting matter to be respected. God bless."

It is the third skydiving fatality in the Peterlee area since 2016. Sam Cornwell died during a jump at the South West Industrial Estate in April 2024. And in September 2016, 49-year-old Pamela Gower, from Hebburn, died during a charity skydive at Peterlee Parachute Centre.