Warning: This article discusses suicide and may be distressing to some readers.
The tragic death of experienced skydiver Jade Damarell has been officially confirmed as a deliberate act by authorities, following a detailed inquest into the circumstances surrounding her fall. Jade, 32, was known within the skydiving community for her extensive experience, having completed over 500 jumps throughout her career.
Her life came to a sudden end on April 27, when she fell approximately 15,000 feet into a field in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, in the United Kingdom. Following the incident, a post-mortem conducted at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle determined that the cause of death was blunt trauma from the fall.
Early investigations ruled out any equipment failure as a contributing factor. Coroner Leslie Hamilton later confirmed that Jade’s death had been officially classified as a suicide. The inquest revealed that Jade had recently ended her relationship with her partner, who was also a fellow skydiver. A note from her partner indicated that the couple had separated the night before her final jump.
On the day prior to her death, Jade had successfully completed six jumps. However, for her final dive, she deliberately chose not to deploy her main parachute. She also disabled the automatic device designed to open the parachute if necessary, and she opted not to wear her usual helmet camera.
Investigators found that Jade left instructions on how to access her phone after her passing. Her device contained a note addressed to her family, which included messages of apology and gratitude, along with details about her personal finances. This has been described by her loved ones as an attempt to provide closure and support to those affected by her death.
Jade’s family have publicly accepted the coroner’s ruling, expressing heartfelt appreciation for the support received from the skydiving community during this difficult period. They described her as “brilliant, beautiful, brave, and truly extraordinary,” emphasizing their wish to speak openly about her passing. Their goal is to foster a culture in which mental health challenges are met with compassion, understanding, and non-judgmental support.
Following the announcement of her passing, a representative from Sky-High Skydiving stated: “It is with profound sadness that we confirm a tragic incident involving one of our valued members. This news has affected everyone who knew Jade, and our thoughts remain with her family and friends. We ask for privacy and compassion during this incredibly difficult time.”
The inquest and subsequent reporting of Jade’s death serve as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness. For individuals experiencing emotional distress or contemplating self-harm, support is available through professional resources such as Mental Health America (mhanational.org) or the Crisis Text Line (text MHA to 741741). Immediate help can also be reached by calling or texting 988 in the United States.