Jade Damarell, an advanced skydiver originally from Caerphilly, Wales, who was only 32 years old. Tragically, on April 27, 2023, she exited from 15,500 feet and intentionally did not open her main parachute, leading to her fatality. Coroner Leslie Hamilton has ruled her death a suicide, determining that Damarell meant to take her own life.
Damarell was a highly experienced skydiver with more than 500 jumps to her credit during her career. Only a day before her unforeseen death, she was still executing six dives in competition, a remarkable feat that demonstrated her skill and love for the sport. On the day of her fateful leap from the bridge at Shotton Colliery in County Durham, she did the unthinkable. This time, she chose not to wear her camera—which she would normally bring to document each dive.
Witnesses stated that Damarell did not deploy her main parachute, typically opened at 5,000 feet. As a result of this decision she plummeted 50 feet into an agricultural field. She died from blunt trauma injuries and impact was the cause of death.
When her untimely death occurred, her family was understandably devastated. They wanted to celebrate the wonder and magic she brought out in everyone she encountered.
“We are incredibly comforted by how admired, respected and deeply loved she was.” – Damarell’s family
This often overlooked detail caused the investigation into Damarell’s death to be a great resource. She had broken up with her partner just the day before her jump. She says, even though she went into full detail on her phone’s lock screen. This indicates her strong desire to prevent access to her device after she dies.
Her coroner’s inquest ruled out foul play. It reinforced the idea that Damarell’s actions on those five days were the result of a conscious choice to end his life.