A highly-experienced parachutist believed to have taken her own life in a tragic fall had split from her husband and had been living with a new man before her death, friends have claimed.
Jade Damarell, 32, a skydiver who had accomplished more than 400 jumps, died instantly 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’.
MailOnline understands 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’.
One said: ‘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.’
Jade Damarell (pictured), 32, a skydiver who had accomplished more than 400 jumps, died instantly 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’
Ms Damarell, an aunt, had previously married Leeds-based solicitor James Damarell in 2019, but the pair were said to have become estranged. Pictured: Jade Damarell and estranged husband James
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. Pictured: Ms Damarell skydiving on a previous occasion
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.’
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.’
MailOnline understands that police quickly marked the tragedy as non-suspicious after discovering a note disclosing Ms Damarell’s intentions. Pictured: Ms Damarell and her mother Liz Samuels
In a social media post Ms Damarell’s mother Liz Samuels revealed she’d completed her first skydive with her daughter
Jade and James – who married in 2019 – were said to have split in recent months
Jade, pictured with James, reportedly did not open her parachute on her dive at the weekend
Mr Damarell declined to speak about the tragedy when approached by Mail Online at his £500,000 detached house in Green Hammerton, near York.
It was reported 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.
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.
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.
A file has been passed to the coroner and an inquest into Ms Damarell’s death will be opened in due course.
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.
It was reported 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. Pictured: Ms Damarell skydiving on a previous occasion
An inquest will now be opened to establish the circumstances surrounding Jade’s death and answer questions surrounding her final moments. Pictured: Ms Damarell and her mother Liz Samuels
Pictured: Jade Damarell & mum Liz Samuel & dad Andrew Samuel
‘All indications from the police and British Skydiving are that this was a deliberate act taken to end her own life.
‘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.’
A Durham Constabulary spokesperson confirmed: ‘A woman sadly died following a skydiving incident near Peterlee.
‘Police officers and colleagues from the ambulance service were called to the incident in Shotton Colliery at around 10.30am on Sunday (April 27).
‘Sadly, a woman in her thirties was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will now be prepared for the coroner.’
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: ‘We were called to an incident at Shotton Colliery in County Durham on Sunday 27 April at 10:17.
‘We dispatched one ambulance crew and one specialist paramedic to the incident.’
Wreford Farm released a statement via Facebook, which read: ‘Tragically, last Sunday 27/4/25 a woman lost her life after a parachute incident/accident, please join us in saying a prayer for her and her family, we ask the Lord to accept her into the kingdom of heaven and strength to her family.
‘We ask for our own and farms privacy for this deeply upsetting matter to be respected. God bless.’
It is the third skydiving fatality in the Peterlee area since 2016.
Sam Cornwell died during a jump at the South West Industrial Estate in April 2024.
And in September 2016, 49-year-old Pamela Gower, from Hebburn, died during a charity skydive at Peterlee Parachute Centre.
