Skydiver feared to have taken her own life after jumping 10,000ft from plane ‘had split with boyfriend before tragedy'

The Sun

26-05-2025

A TRAGIC skydiver is feared to have taken her own life jumping 10,000ft from a plane the day after splitting from her boyfriend.
Jade Damarell, 32, died instantly after hitting the ground in Peterlee, County Durham, on April 27 earlier this year.
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An inquest heard there were no signs of equipment failure but Jade's parachute never opened.
Her skydiving club, Sky-High Skydiving, later said the horror appeared to be 'a deliberate act'.
Durham Constabulary ruled out any third party involvement, and there was no suggestion of any wrongdoing or negligence by the skydiving centre.
It has now emerged letters were left behind by Jade which suggested she intended to take her own life.
As reported by MailOnline, Jade had broken up with her boyfriend Ben Goodfellow, 26, the day before her death.
Mr Goodfellow, who was also a skydiving enthusiast, had been in a relationship with the 32-year-old for around eight months.
A friend said dubbed the pair "inseparable" and claimed they "spent all their time together".
They had been living together in a lodge on the skydiving site since Christmas.
"The night before Jade died, they called off the relationship," claimed the source.
"He went to work the next day, and that's when Jade fell to her death."
Mr Goodfellow, a car technician and musician in the band Post Rome, has not spoken on the tragedy but cancelled performances due to "unforeseen circumstances".
The source added how he is "absolutely distraught" by Jade's death.
Coroner's officer Alexis Blighe said Jade's provisional cause of the skydiver's death was listed as "blunt trauma".
Crook Coroners's Court heard Jade's body was identified by Bryn Chaffe, the chief instructor at Ms Damarell's skydiving club.
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Area coroner Jeremy Chipperfield adjourned the full inquest until August 21.
The tragedy unfolded on April 27 as Jade, who had completed more than 400 jumps, hit the ground at Wrefords' Farm.
Nigel Wreford, 56, who works on farm nearby, previously said: 'I've been told by quite a few people that she knew what she was doing — she had apparently left a suicide note.'
While a friend said at the time: 'This wasn't an accident. We believe she intended to take her life, sadly."
Jade studied marketing at university in Leeds before marrying solicitor James Damarell in 2019.
It was previously reported they lived in Yorkshire but are believed to have separated, with Jade later moving into rented accommodation used skydivers in Peterlee.
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Jade's family paid tribute following her death and called her a "brilliant, beautiful, brave and truly extraordinary person".
They said professionally, she was "exceptionally talented" and had found "freedom and purpose" with her skydiving.
The family added: "A bright, adventurous, free spirit, she lived with immense energy, passion, and love, and touched countless lives with her warmth and kindness.
"We miss her beyond words but Jade's love, brilliance, courage, and light will live on in our family and among all those who knew and loved her.
'Some stars are so bright they burn through their time too quickly – but their light never truly fades.
'We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone in the emergency services and the local first responders as well as the skydiving community. Your care and compassion mean more to us than we can express.
'Lastly, if you are struggling, please reach out. Talk to someone – a friend, loved one, or professional. You are never alone."
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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