Search

Newsletter image

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Join 10k+ people to get notified about new posts, news and tips.

Do not worry we don't spam!

GDPR Compliance

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

‘Highly-experienced’ skydiver, 32, who died after jumping from 10,000ft ‘left suicide note’ before she leapt from plane

Published on May 01, 2025 at 08:00 PM

A PARACHUTIST who died after jumping from 10,000ft is believed to have left a suicide note.

, 32, who had successfully completed more than 400 jumps, when she hit the ground without her chute opening.

Skydiver exiting a plane.
Jade Damarell is thought to have left a suicide note
Skydiver Jade Damarell at her landing site.
Parachutist Jade had successfully completed more than 400 jumps
Jade Damarell and her husband James with their dog.
Jade married solicitor James Damarell in 2019, but the couple were thought to have split

As friends and colleagues paid tribute to the “beautiful”; marketing manager, her club said it appeared to be “a deliberate act”;.

Nearby farm worker Nigel Wreford, 56, added: “I’ve been told by quite a few people that she knew what she was doing — she had apparently left a suicide note.”;

A traumatised parachutist who jumped with Jade on last Sunday ran to Mr Wreford’s house close to Sky-High Skydiving near Peterlee, Co Durham.

Mr Wreford added: “My wife was here when it happened and spoke to a parachutist who was coming out of the field.

“You can’t imagine how traumatic it must have been.

“She said he was in a hell of a state. He was very incoherent. It’s horrible. I can’t stop thinking about the girl and her family.”;

Jade studied marketing at university in before marrying solicitor James Damarell in 2019.

They lived in but were thought to have separated.

At the end of last year she moved into rented digs used by enthusiasts from the Peterlee centre.

A friend of Jade’s said: “This wasn’t an accident. We believe she intended to take her life, sadly.

“She chose not to open her parachute and she landed on her back.”;

The skydiving club added in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we confirm a tragic incident took place involving a valued member of our community.

“All indications from the and British Skydiving are that this was a deliberate act taken to end her own life.”;

Jade had previously persuaded her mum to complete a jump at the Peterlee centre, despite her fear of heights.

Liz Samuel, of Caerphilly, South , posted pictures online and wrote: “Such a bucket-list moment.

“Firstly watching my beautiful daughter Jade free-fly solo right before me, like a ninja.

“Just wow . . . over a minute in freefall from 15,500ft, at around 120mph. Considering my fear of heights I still can’t quite believe I did it!

“This experience makes me even more proud of Jade’s amazing free-fly skills.”;

It is the third fatal incident at the base in recent years.

Last April videographer Sam Cornwell, 46, of , landed on a roof at a nearby industrial estate after failing to complete a safe landing.

Pamela Gower, 49, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, also there in 2016.

Tributes poured in for Jade, with Chris Brown posting a snap of them in a plane together. He said: “Forever in my heart.”;

Danni Willis, who worked at the centre, added: “Such a beautiful girl inside and out.”;

Police said Jade was pronounced dead at the scene last Sunday morning.

It was not being treated as suspicious and a file will now be prepared for the coroner.

Governing body British Skydiving said it would investigate to help the coroner.      

Prev Article

Trump names Mike Waltz US ambassador to UN

Next Article

TV star’s last surviving restaurants saved from permanent closure after sacking scandal

Related to this topic:

Comments (0):

Be the first to write a comment.

Post Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *