Skydiver Jade Damarell left heartbreaking notes before 15,500ft death plunge

An experienced skydiver left behind heartbreaking notes to loved-ones before plunging 15,000ft to her death without deploying her parachute.

Jade Damarell, 32, outlined her intentions in a notes folder where she apologised and thanked her family for their support, an inquest into her death heard today. The marketing manager was a cherished member of her tight-knit skydiving community and had completed more than 400 successful jumps before the fatal fall. Coroner Dr Leslie Hamilton today concluded her death was by suicide, and expressed his condolences to the family.

The inquest heard Damarell left a notes folder at around 2.30am on the morning of her death; one was to the family, "apologising and thanking them for their support". She also shared details of passwords for her financial accounts.

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It is understood she had been in a relationship with her boyfriend Ben Goodfellow, a 26-year-old car technician and musician, for about eight months - and had split from him just hours before she fell to her death. In a statement to the inquest in Crook, Co Durham today, Goodfellow confirmed they had "ended their relationship" on the night before she died.

The pair met through their "mutual love of skydiving", he said in a brief statement read by coroner Dr Leslie Hamilton. Jade died after crashing onto farmland in the village of Shotton Colliery, Co Durham, on April 27.

She was not wearing a camera on her helmet for the jump, and had eaten breakfast at the skydive centre at 8.30am before jumping at 10am.

The opening to the inquest earlier this year heard Bryn Chaffe, who was chief instructor at the skydiving firm, found Jade's body.

Following the tragedy, Jade's mum bravely took part in a skydive to honour her daughter. In a statement at the time of her death, mum Liz Samuels and her family said: "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."

At the end of the inquest today, the family added: "We acknowledge and accept the conclusion of the coroner's inquest into our daughter Jade's death. Once again, we express our sincere thanks to all services involved for the care and compassion given. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Sky-High Skydiving and the fantastic 'SkyFam' community.

"You meant so much to Jade, and we're incredibly comforted by how admired, respected and deeply loved she was. Jade loved the sport with a passion, and it brought her so much joy. Sky-High handled the tragedy and investigation into Jade's death professionally and with compassion that allowed us to all share in our grief.

"So much so, Sky-High Skydiving helped us to celebrate Jade's life with a very fitting tribute and final farewell. Ending with Jade's mum, Liz honouring Jade's memory with a final tandem jump. Our beloved daughter Jade was 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.

"By speaking openly and without shame, we hope to contribute to a culture where mental ill-health is met with kindness and support, and where people in deep distress, and those around them, feel seen, believed, able to reach for support without fear of judgment. We miss Jade 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. Please respect our family's privacy at this time."

Jade's family set up a GoFundMe in her memory in aid of the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK. The fund aims to celebrate Jade’s extraordinary life whilst giving others the opportunity to live out their wishes and dreams. Every donation will help create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.