The Crook inquest heard that Jade Damarell, 32, deliberately fell from 15,500ft at Shotton Colliery airfield on 27 April. Investigators said she did not deploy her main parachute or the reserve and had switched off her automatic activation device. She had left instructions on the lock screen of her phone detailing how to access it and notes about her finances in the Notes folder.

Damarell, born in Hong Kong and living in Caerphilly, Wales, was an experienced skydiver with more than 500 jumps. The day before her death she completed six jumps without issue. The coroner summarised a statement from her former partner that they had ended their relationship the night before. Bryn Chaffe, co-owner of Sky-High Skydiving, said he saw her eating toast in the base cafe before she jumped and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

A post-mortem recorded death by blunt trauma; toxicology tests were negative for drink or drugs. The GP said she was not on medication. A British Skydiving report found all equipment was in working order; Damarell would normally wear a helmet camera but did not on the day. She confirmed she had an AAD, but it had been switched off. She was aware she needed to deploy a parachute before her altitude dropped below 2,500ft. Detective Inspector Andrew Stephenson of Durham Police attended the scene, recovered her phone and found a note indicating apologies and thanks to her family. The coroner, Dr Leslie Hamilton, concluded that the skydiver deliberately chose not to deploy either parachute or use the AAD and that she intended to take her own life. Jeff Montgomery, head of safety and training at British Skydiving, offered condolences. Her parents, Liz and Andrew Samuel, observed the hearing remotely. After the inquest, the family paid tribute describing Jade as a brilliant, beautiful, brave and extraordinary person who lived with energy, passion and kindness.