The sudden loss of a well-known skydiver has left her community in shock. Though she had hundreds of jumps under her belt, this final one has sparked deep sorrow and troubling questions about what really happened that day.
She had taken to the skies more than 400 times, embracing the thrill of free fall like second nature. But something was different about this jump—it would be her last.
Jade Damarell, a 32-year-old veteran skydiver and a much-loved figure in the UK’s skydiving world, tragically lost her life in what is now being seen as a deeply sorrowful and intentional decision.
As news of her passing spreads, the tight-knit skydiving community is grieving. Tributes are flowing in, each remembering the woman who felt most alive when she was up in the air.
Jade Damarell, who passed away in a Skydiving incident, might have taken her own life
On Sunday, April 27, Jade Damarell, a British marketing manager aged 32, lost her life during a skydive. She had completed more than 400 jumps before this one turned fatal.
Authorities now believe that Jade may have made a conscious choice to end her life by jumping without deploying her parachute.
Image credits: Getty Images/Unsplash (Not the actual photo)
Metro News reported that Damarell came down in a farmer’s field located in County Durham, in the northeast region of England.
She was declared dead at the scene after the tragic fall.
Police reports suggest that Damarell's passing was not suspicious
In the official report, the Durham Constabulary stated, "Her d**th is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will now be prepared for the coroner."
Image credits: Jade Damarell
A close friend of Damarell’s, speaking with The Sun, also mentioned that "This wasn't an accident. We believe she intended to take her life, sadly."
"She chose not to open her parachute, and she landed on her back," the friend added.
The skydiving company she jumped with agreed that the tragic incident was a "deliberate act"
The team at SkyHigh Skydiving, the company she jumped with, issued a statement echoing the sentiments, stating that "all indications from the police and British Skydiving are that this was a deliberate act taken to end her own life."
Image credits: Jade Damarell
In an official message, the skydiving center shared: "It is with great sadness that we confirm a tragic incident took place involving a valued member of our community."
"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," shared the company before adding, "We urge anyone in crisis to speak to someone or reach out to a mental health professional."
Friends of the woman said that Damarell was "mad for the sport"
Speaking with the Daily Mail, one of Damarell’s friends said that "everyone is devastated and deeply traumatized" by the 32-year-old's sudden passing, and that "she was very much part of the skydiving community."
Image credits: Jade Damarell
"She was mad for the sport," the friend shared. "In just the two days before she died, she did 11 jumps. She must have done 80 this year."
The young woman crash-landed on a farm near the skydiving center
Wrefords’ Farms, where the tragic incident occurred, confirmed through a post that a woman had sadly passed away following a skydive on Sunday morning.
Image credits: Jade Damarell
On Wednesday, April 30, just days after the incident, a cherry tree was planted at the farm "as a memorial to the young lady who tragically lost her life in the parachute incident". The farm also invited the local community to place flowers by the entrance as a way to honor and remember her.
Nigel Wreford, 56, who works on the nearby farmland, said, "I've been told by quite a few people that she knew what she was doing; she had apparently left a s*****e note."
Damarell had reportedly separated from her husband and had been living with her boyfriend in recent months
After studying marketing at a college in Leeds, Jade Damarell got married in 2019 to James Damarell, a solicitor. The couple had been living in Yorkshire, but it’s believed that they had gone their separate ways in the last few months.
Image credits: Jade Damarell
Sources close to her revealed that since late 2014, Damarell had been staying in shared housing in County Durham. She was living with a man she had introduced to others as her boyfriend.
One friend shared, "She had been staying in the digs since the end of last year. There are bunk beds for skydivers who come from all over the country to parachute. Jade rented a double room and told us she was staying with her boyfriend. No one is living there now."
Online users shared heartfelt comments for the young woman
Social media platforms quickly filled with emotional messages paying tribute to Jade. One user wrote, "RIP Jade. Condolences to all family and friends."
Image credits: Jade Damarell
Someone else shared, "Bless her! I hope she has found peace."
Another person posted, "Tragic. Such a beautiful lady with an adventurous spirit. Why would she want to take her own life?"
Although many expressed sadness, some users raised questions. One commented, "Sounds suspicious."
And another individual asked, "How do we know she took her own life?"
The tragic incident marks the third skydiving-related passing in the area since 2016
Sadly, this isn’t the first time a tragedy has occurred at this particular airfield. Since 2016, this marks the third fatality linked to skydiving. Just last year in April 2024, Sam Cornwell lost his life during a jump that took place at the South West Industrial Estate.
Back in September 2016, another heartbreaking loss occurred when 49-year-old Pamela Gower died while participating in a charity skydive at the Peterlee Parachute Centre.
Image credits: Jade Damarell
Netizens reacted to the heartbreaking passing of Jade Damarell
