Tragic skydiver Jade Damarell's family tribute to 'brilliant, beautiful, brave' woman
Experienced parachutist Jade Damarell was found dead after going for a sky dive in County Durham. Her family have spoken as more information emerges on the tragedy
The devastated family of parachutist Jade Damarell have paid tribute to their beloved daughter.
Jade, 32, is believed to have taken her own life in a tragic fall after hitting the ground during a jump in County Durham on Sunday. Initial reports had assumed Jade's death was a tragic accident. But SkyHigh Skydiving issued a statement saying that her death was suspected to have been 'a deliberate act'.
Today Jade's family released a moving tribute to their daughter.
It reads: 'It is with immense sadness that we share the loss of our beloved daughter, Jade. A brilliant, beautiful, brave and truly extraordinary person. A bright, adventurous, free spirit, she lived with immense energy, passion, and love, and touched countless lives with her warmth and kindness.
'Professionally, Jade was exceptionally talented and admired for her creativity and dedication in marketing. Personally, Jade had recently begun training for her pilot's licence and as a keen Skydiver, Jade found freedom and purpose. Skydiving and its fantastic community meant so much to Jade, and we're incredibly comforted by how admired, respected, and deeply loved she was.
"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 extent 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. Please respect our family's privacy as we come to terms with this devastating loss.'
It is understood that police quickly marked the tragedy as non-suspicious after discovering a note disclosing her intentions.
Jade had been living in lodgings in Shotton, Co Durham, since the end of last year, renting a double bed in a house used by skydivers staying over in the village. She had been living with a man she described to friends as her 'boyfriend'.
Ms Damarell, an aunt, had previously married Leeds-based solicitor James Damarell in 2019 but the pair were said to have become estranged. Ms Damarell's mother Liz Samuels posted images on Facebook of the couple's wedding day, in October 2019, writing: 'Happy birthday to our beautiful daughter Jade Damarell - all grown up and her first birthday as a married lady, but always my little girl.'
Mr Damarell declined to speak about the tragedy when approached at his £500,000 detached house in Green Hammerton, near York. The pair had previously posted pictures on Facebook of sunny countryside hikes with a pug dog. A friend of Ms Damarell said: 'This wasn't a skydiving accident - we believe she intended to take her life, sadly.
'She skydived with someone else, broke off and turned onto her back and impacted. She chose not to open her parachute and she landed on her back.'
Police and emergency services were called to nearby Wreford's Farm, where she landed, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. One person is believed to have witnessed the horror.
Friend Danni Willis, who worked at SkyHigh Skydiving, posted pictures of Ms Damarell on Facebook, adding: 'Such a beautiful girl inside and out.' A file has been passed to the coroner and an inquest into Ms Damarell's death will be opened in due course.
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