Who is Jade Damarell? Skydiver Took Her Own Life After Breakup, Inquest Finds

32-year-old marketing manager Jade Damarell died in a skydiving incident near Fleming Field in Shotton Colliery, County Durham. An inquest has now confirmed that she took her own life.

Jade was a very experienced skydiver with more than 500 successful jumps. On the day of her death, the weather was clear, and her parachute equipment was fully working. But the inquest revealed she made no attempt to open either her main or reserve parachute.

Inquest Findings

The inquest, held in Crook, was led by Assistant Coroner Dr Leslie Hamilton. He said that on the “balance of probabilities” Jade had intended to end her life. He officially recorded her death as suicide.

The court heard that Jade had broken up with her partner the night before the incident. Both had met through their shared love of skydiving. The day before her death, she had carried out six safe jumps.

Toxicology reports later confirmed she had not taken drugs or alcohol before the jump. Doctors said the cause of death was blunt trauma from the fall.

Family Statement

Jade was originally from Caerphilly in Wales. Her parents, Liz and Andrew Samuel, attended the inquest remotely. After the hearing, they described their daughter as a “brilliant, beautiful, brave and truly extraordinary person.”

They remembered her as a “bright, adventurous, free spirit” who lived with energy and kindness, touching the lives of many people.

The case has drawn widespread sympathy, with many in the skydiving community paying tribute to Jade’s adventurous spirit.