Introduction: Better to Talk, Not Plunge
An inquet in County Durhams has delivered a heartbreaking verdict: 32-year-old Jade Damarell—a seasoned skydiver—intentionally fell to her death. The coroner ruled her death a suicide, after she jumped from 15,500 feet without deploying her parachute or deploying her reserve, and even switched off her automatic activation device (AAD) .
Who Was Jade?
Jade Damarell lived in Caerphilly, Wales. She completed over 500 jumps, including six the day before her death . She worked as a marketing manager, and skydiving was more than a hobby—it was her passion. Friends and fellow jumpers remember her as brilliant, brave, and full of energy .
The Final Jump: What We Know
On April 27, Jade prepared for a routine skydive with Sky‑High Skydiving in Shotton Colliery, County Durham . Everything about her gear was perfect. She didn’t deploy her main parachute or the reserve chute. She deliberately deactivated her AAD, too .
Her body was found in a field. A post‑mortem confirmed she suffered blunt‑force trauma and ruled out alcohol or drugs. Equipment checks showed no malfunction .
Before she died, Jade left instructions on how to access her locked phone. Inside were heartfelt notes—she apologized and thanked her family, and shared financial details .
The Catalyst: A Relationship Ended
A significant event preceded this tragedy: Jade broke up with her partner the night before the jump . They met through skydiving and had been together for months . The breakup left a void—friends say they were inseparable and shared countless jumps together .
Family Speaks: From Grace to Advocacy
After the coroner’s ruling, Jade’s family accepted her death as intentional. They remembered her as “brilliant, beautiful, brave, and truly extraordinary” . They thanked the skydiving community for support and expressed a wish: to “speak openly and without shame” about mental health .
Mental Health: The Invisible Terrain
Jade’s death spotlights mental health in high-adrenaline sports. Even those who know physical heights intimately can suffer unseen emotional lows. Her story pushes us to care for the mind as fiercely as we care for safety checks and gear.
Taking Action: What Can Be Done
1. Normalize Conversations
If you’re hurting, talk to someone you trust. You don’t have to carry it alone.
2. Supportive Communities Matter
Jade’s community rallied around her family. Let’s nurture that culture everywhere.
3. Professional Help Is Strength, Not Weakness
Whether you’re an extreme sport athlete or not—help is not just available, it’s brave to seek it.
4. Share Your Story
Silence feeds stigma. Openness builds understanding. Jade’s family is leading that charge. We can join them.
Resources: You Are Not Alone
If you’re feeling distressed or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out:
UK & Ireland: Samaritans – freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
US: Dial 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org
Australia: Lifeline on 13 11 14
Find more international helplines on befrienders.org
Final Reflection: Jade’s Legacy
Jade flew free in the sky—and she now challenges us to clear the air around mental health. Let her life and passing remind us: every mind deserves care. Every silent struggle matters. And in the end, compassion isn’t just a word. It saves lives.