Latest news with #PostRome
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- News.com.au
Experienced skydiver dumped by boyfriend night before jumping to her death
The experienced UK skydiver thought to have deliberately jumped to her death last month had been dumped by her boyfriend the night before, according to a new report. Jade Damarell — who had more than 400 successful jumps — was killed instantly during her last skydive on April 27 as she crashed into a farmer's field in County Durham in northeast England. Damarell, 32, was dumped by fellow skydiver Ben Goodfellow, 26, just a day before the fatal jump, the Daily Mail reported. 'The two of them were inseparable,' an anonymous friend told the Daily Mail of the pair, who dated for around eight months. 'They spent all their time together, they didn't really engage with anyone else. They did skydives together all the time.' 'The night before Jade died, Ben called off the relationship,' the friend added. 'He went to work the next day, and that's when Jade fell to her death,' the friend said. The couple had lived together in a double room at a property rented out to parachutists near the airfield for several months, according to the outlet. Goodfellow was also a technician at Nissan and the lead guitarist and vocalist for indie band Post Rome, which cancelled a gig shortly after Damarell's death due to 'unseen circumstances,' the outlet said. Police said Damarell's death is 'not being treated as suspicious' — and the company she jumped with said that 'all indications from the police and British Skydiving are that this was a deliberate act taken to end her own life.' A friend previously told the Daily Mail that 'everyone is devastated and deeply traumatised' by the 32-year-old's death because 'she was very much part of the skydiving community'. 'She was mad for the sport,' the unidentified friend said. 'In just the two days before she died, she did 11 jumps. She must have done 80 this year.' At least one person witnessed Damarell jump to her death, according to the outlet. The local police department, the Durham Constabulary, said: 'Her death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will now be prepared for the coroner.'
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Doomed skydiver's tormented final days from 'boyfriend split to tragic letter'
Experienced skydiver Jade Damarell, 32, plunged to her death and died instantly after her boyfriend reportedly broke up with her the night before, leaving her devastated New details have emerged about Jade Damarell 's final days before she tragically plummeted to her death. The death of thrill-seeking Ms Damarell, 32, a highly experienced skydiver, has been described as an "unimaginable loss" amid an ongoing investigation. The woman, who had completed more than 400 previous jumps, died instantly after hitting the ground at Wrefords' Farm in Shotton, County Durham. She was pronounced dead at the scene. It is understood that Ms. Damarell, from Caerphilly, South Wales, had broken up with her boyfriend the day before her fatal skydive. After splitting from her husband, she had reportedly been in a relationship with Ben Goodfellow, 26, a fellow skydiving enthusiast, for approximately six to eight months. The couple had been living together in a double room at a property near the airfield, rented specifically for parachutists, for several months, according to MailOnline. A friend described their bond as extremely close. The source said: 'They were inseparable. They did everything together and didn't really interact much with others. They often went skydiving as a pair. They had been living together since Christmas and had been dating for a few months before that.' According to the friend, the night before Ms. Damarell's death, Mr. Goodfellow ended the relationship. He reportedly went to work the following day, during which time the tragedy occurred. Mr. Goodfellow works as a technician at Nissan and is also the lead singer and guitarist for the Sunderland-based indie band Post Rome, whose music has featured on BBC Introducing. Following the incident, the band cancelled a scheduled performance, citing 'unforeseen circumstances.' A friend claimed that a note referencing the breakup was found by police. They added: 'Jade had ended things with Ben on previous occasions, but Saturday was the first time he ended it with her. Ben is a quiet person - he's completely devastated by what's happened.' Initial reports had assumed Ms Damarell's death was a tragic accident. But SkyHigh Skydiving issued a statement saying her death was suspected to have been 'a deliberate act'. It is understood police quickly marked the tragedy as non-suspicious after discovering a note disclosing her intentions. Ms Damarell 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. At the time of the tragedy it was said that Ms Damarell, a keen skydiver who had jumped around 80 times this year, deliberately failed to open her parachute as she plunged at speeds of more than 120mph. 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. An inquest heard that Ms Damarell did not suffer any failure in her equipment. Asked by Senior Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield if there was any reason to suspect equipment failure, Coroner's officer Ms Alexis Blighe replied 'No reason at all sir.' On the face of it, Jade had everything to live for. Her mum's Facebook page proudly recorded the highlight's of her daughter's life. Other images showed her enjoying family hikes with the dog, and in one post, mum Liz revealed she'd completed her first skydive with her daughter. In an August 26, 2024 Facebook post, she said: "This weekend I did something I never thought I could, or would, do… a sky-dive! Such a bucket list moment. Firstly watching my beautiful daughter Jade free-fly solo right before me, like a ninja. Then, amazed at the reassurance and confidence Jade and my fabulous tandem instructor Lewis (aka Biscuit) and cameraman Blake gave me, off we flew. "Just wow… over a minute in freefall from 15,500 feet, at around 120 MPH, with the air temp -15 and breath-taking wind at this altitude. Considering my fear of heights I still can't quite believe I did it! My favourite part was actually being under canopy, I absolutely loved it but this experience makes me even more proud of Jade's amazing free-fly skills now and it was incredible to watch her nail her landing below us and be there to greet me back on solid ground." An inquest will now be opened to establish the circumstances surrounding Jade's death and answer questions surrounding her final moments. According to one friend, she jumped a staggering 11 times in the 48 hours leading up to her death. "Everyone is devastated and deeply traumatised by what happened because she was very much part of the skydiving community," the friend told MailOnline. "She was mad for the sport. In just the two days before she died, she did 11 jumps. She must have done 80 this year."
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The tragedy behind skydiver, 32, who jumped to her death from 10,000ft
A skydiver feared to have taken her own life in a 10,000ft fall from the sky had split with her boyfriend shortly before the tragedy, it's understood. Jade Damarell, 32, an experienced parachutist who had accomplished more than 400 jumps, died instantly after hitting the ground during a jump in Shotton Colliery, Co Durham. Police quickly ruled out any suspicious circumstances and were understood to have discovered notes disclosing her intentions. MailOnline understands that Ms Damarell, from Caerphilly, south Wales, had broken up with her boyfriend the day prior to taking to the skies. She had been in a relationship with Ben Goodfellow, 26, also a keen skydiver, for around six to eight months. The couple had lived together in a double room at a property rented out to parachutists near to the airfield for a number of months. One friend said: 'The two of them were inseparable. 'They spent all their time together, they didn't really engage with anyone else. They did skydives together all the time. 'They had been living in the lodgings since Christmas and had been together a couple more months before that. 'The night before Jade died, Ben called off the relationship. 'He went to work the next day, and that's when Jade fell to her death.' Mr Goodfellow, a technician at car manufacturer Nissan, did not respond to requests for comment. He is also the lead singer and guitarist in Sunderland indie band Post Rome, whose songs have been featured on BBC Introducing. The band cancelled a gig in the wake of the tragedy citing 'unforeseen circumstances'. Initial reports had assumed Ms Damarell's death on April 27 was a tragic accident. But SkyHigh Skydiving later issued a statement saying that her death was suspected to have been 'a deliberate act'. An inquest opened into Ms Damarell's death this week heard there was 'no reason to suspect equipment failure'. A friend claimed a suicide note was found by police 'referencing the break up'. They said: 'I know Jade had broken it off with Ben a few times, but the Saturday was the first time he had called it off with her. 'Ben is a quiet guy - he is absolutely distraught by what has happened.' Ms Damarell, who worked as a marketing manager for Silver Spoon after graduating from Leeds university, had undertaken more than 80 jumps this year. Friends said her parachute did not open as she plunged at speeds of more than 120mph. In a statement, Ms Damarell's mother Liz and father Andrew paid tribute to their 'beloved daughter'. They said: '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.' The tribute continued: '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.' Police and emergency services were called to Wreford's Farm in Shotton Colliery, where she landed, but Jade was pronounced dead at the scene. One person - a fellow skydiver - was believed to have witnessed the horror. Friend Danni Willis, who worked at SkyHigh Skydiving described Ms Damarell as 'a beautiful girl inside and out'. She had previously been married to a Leeds-based lawyer but was said to have divorced. SkyHigh Skydiving confirmed the death in a statement, claiming 'all indications' from police were that 'this was a deliberate act'. A spokesman said: 'It is with great sadness that we confirm a tragic incident took place on 28 April, 2025, involving a valued member of our community. 'All indications from the police and British Skydiving are that this was a deliberate act. 'This heartbreaking news has deeply affected all who knew her, and our thoughts are with her family and friends as they face this unimaginable loss. 'At this incredibly difficult time, we ask for privacy and compassion for those grieving.' A friend of Ms Damarell, who was born in Hong Kong, claimed she 'chose not to open her parachute' during the fatal descent. They 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. 'Everyone is devastated and deeply traumatised by what happened because she was very much part of the skydiving community. 'She was mad for it. In the two days before she died, she did 11 jumps. She must have done 80 this year.' SkyHigh Skydiving confirmed the death in a statement and said that they had been given 'all indications' from police that 'this was a deliberate act'. A spokesman said: 'It is with great sadness that we confirm a tragic incident took place on 28 April 2025 involving a valued member of our community. 'All indications from the police and British Skydiving are that this was a deliberate act. 'This heartbreaking news has deeply affected all who knew her, and our thoughts are with her family and friends as they face this unimaginable loss. 'At this incredibly difficult time, we ask for privacy and compassion for those grieving.' The centre added: 'If you are struggling or in emotional distress, please know that you are not alone. Support is available. We urge anyone in crisis to speak to someone or reach out to a mental health professional. Even in the darkest moments, there is help and hope.' An inquest into the circumstances of her death was opened and adjourned at Crook Coroners's Court, Co. Durham, on Thursday. During a short two-minute hearing, area coroner Jeremy Chipperfield heard how there was 'no reason to suspect equipment failure'. Coroner's officer Alexis Blighe said the provisional cause of Ms Damarell's death was listed as 'blunt trauma'. Ms Blighe said: 'This 32-year-old female was born on October 6, 1992, at Kowloon, Hong Kong. 'Her last employment status and occupation was a marketing manager. 'She died on April 27, 2025, on farmland near Fleming Field, Shotton Colliery, Co Durham. 'I understand the circumstances to be that Ms Damarell was involved in a parachute incident on April 27, 2025. 'On May 2, 2025, Dr James Henry conducted a post-mortem examination at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary mortuary and gave cause of death as follows: 1a) blunt trauma.' The inquest was told that Ms Damarell's body was identified by Bryn Chaffe, the chief instructor at the skydiving club. Mr Chipperfield adjourned the inquest to August 21.
