The last jump made by Jade Damarell was not like the previous 500. A woman admired for her extraordinary bravery and skydiving accuracy, she was remarkably careful—but on April 27, she consciously decided not to live. Neither of her parachutes deployed, but they were totally functional. Later, experts verified that she purposefully turned off her automatic activation mechanism, which was meant to activate a backup chute in case the primary one failed. These were not malfunctions caused by machinery. These were human choices, influenced by the emotional turmoil that had occurred only hours before.
The night before, she broke up with her boyfriend and fellow skydiver, Ben Goodfellow. For eight grueling months, their relationship had been especially close and interwoven. According to friends, they lived close to their skydiving base in County Durham, trained together, and jumped together. They shared routines, risks, and dreams in addition to a common sport. However, the repercussions were frighteningly swift once that intimacy was broken.
Jade Damarell – Personal and Relationship Profile
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jade Damarell |
| Age at Death | 32 |
| Nationality | British (Wales) |
| Occupation | Skydiver (500+ jumps) |
| Relationship Status | Recently ended 8-month relationship with Ben Goodfellow |
| Date of Death | April 27, 2025 |
| Cause of Death | Suicide (confirmed at inquest, ruled by Coroner Leslie Hamilton) |
| Boyfriend’s Name | Ben Goodfellow |
| Boyfriend’s Occupation | Technician at Nissan, Skydiver, Musician (Lead Singer – Post Rome) |
| Final Jump Location | County Durham, England |
| Legacy | Remembered for courage, talent, and impact on mental health conversation |
Ben, who is only 26 years old, is more than just a character in this dramatic aftermath. He works as a technician at Nissan by trade and is very proficient in mechanical precision. He leads the indie band Post Rome, which is well-known for its eerie lyrics and tense guitar rhythms, when he’s not working. Ben’s twin existence of calculating technicality and soaring imagination portrayed him as a highly adaptable person who was both wild and grounded. His relationship with Jade wasn’t a coincidence; rather, it was the result of their mutually enhanced, reflected passions.
Following the split, he went to work. Jade didn’t. Rather, she took to the sky again. She usually wears a camera on her helmet, but this time it wasn’t there. It was a telling absence. It suggested a break from habit, from emotion, and perhaps from optimism. She had written messages to her family by 2:30 a.m. that morning, and they were incredibly heartfelt and obvious expressions of appreciation and love. She made her last jump hours later.
The fact that a sport based on controlled freefall ended up being the scene of such a devastating loss is particularly tragic. Jade’s leap was planned; it wasn’t a mistake. Her community has been plagued by this fact, especially Ben, whose reserved manner belies a deep sense of loss. He made a brief statement at the inquest. He acknowledged the split and let the investigators make any additional interpretations. In this situation, silence was a sign of respect, grief, and possibly even shock rather than avoidance.
The week Jade passed, Ben’s band, Post Rome, canceled a planned show. They used the excuse of “unforeseen circumstances.” Supporters comprehended. The grieving was creative and collective, not just personal. Onstage, his voice probably would have broken under the stress of what had just happened. Friends’ and fans’ social media posts demonstrated a great deal of empathy. Many messages asked how others could be stopped from doing the same thing, rather than why Jade did it.
The period immediately following a love breakup is especially susceptible, as mental health doctors have long cautioned. Emotional control is essential in activities like skydiving, when identity, risk, and adrenaline are all intertwined. Without it, the distinction between chaos and control may become nearly invisible. Even though Jade’s decision is tragic, it has now spurred a broader industry discussion. More proactive emotional support methods for jumpers, especially during times of personal transformation, have been discussed by instructors and facilities throughout the United Kingdom.
The emotional geometry is what makes this tragedy more complicated. Ben wasn’t a bad guy. He didn’t go in a heartless or mean manner. He cared a great deal, by all accounts. However, he discontinued the connection, which was his right but had unintended repercussions. Jade had previously started breakups, according to friends, but Ben had never done so before. Jade might have been more affected by the role flip than anyone anticipated. Perception, vulnerability, and timing all came together at that precise time.
It makes sense that Ben has distanced himself from the spotlight. Even while his name is now frequently included in headlines, it is rarely linked to press releases or interviews. Surrounded by relatives and the skydiving community that formerly applauded his and Jade’s joint jumps, he seems to be grieving in secret. The quiet is somber, but maybe restorative. Talking isn’t always the best course of action in these situations; listening frequently is.
The psychological fallout has also influenced how society views suicide and how communities react to it. With remarkable grace, Jade’s family expressed gratitude to the skydiving community for their support. They referred to her as brave, bright, and incredibly loved. They didn’t stop there, though. They issued a call for cultural transformation, and it was astonishingly successful. should treat mental illness with compassion rather than in hushed tones. to substitute support for stigma. Their message was straightforward: it’s time for empathy to surpass preconceptions.
Jade’s story has been a rallying cry for grief counselors who deal with sports communities in recent days. To teach, not to place blame. They have begun to improve the infrastructure by working with athlete mental health foundations to provide preventive care as well as emergency response. Knowing that there is assistance available will greatly lessen the likelihood of long-term emotional breakdowns for both amateur and professional athletes.
Several skydiving facilities in the UK have already started providing on-site wellness tests and treatment access through strategic relationships with crisis organizations. Given the possible advantages, the move is surprisingly inexpensive and has been well received. Despite being tragic, Jade’s tale has sparked constructive change. Her legacy now includes the mental safety net her tale helped others reinforce, not just the quantity of jumps she accomplished.
For his part, Ben doesn’t say much. But according to others who know him, he has changed. Shaken, definitely, but not broken—not just depressed, but thoughtful. He is said to be reconsidering the frailty of life, the price of unsaid suffering, and the profundity of the void left by love. His silence now reverberates more loudly for someone who used to sing in front of crowds.
