Skydiver may have committed suicide

An inquest into the death of skydiver Stephen Hilder has found that he may have taken his own life.

Mr Hilder, 20, from Hereford, fell 13,000ft to his death at Hibaldstow airfield in north Lincolnshire, after his parachute failed to open, in July 2003.

It was discovered afterwards that straps on both Mr Hilder's main and reserve parachutes had been tampered with.

Initially, it was believed that Mr Hilder had been murdered and two of his friends, Adrian Blair, from Cornwall and David Mason, from Cambridge who had been with Stephen on his fatal jump, were arrested on suspicion of his murder in October, but were later released on bail. Shortly afterwards, a 24-year-old man from Leeds was arrested in connection with the alleged murder, but was later released.

Detective Inspector Barry Longstaff, who was in charge of the inquiry, said that "no motive" could be found after ten months of "intensive investigations".

The inquest, which is taking place in Scunthorpe, was told that Stephen had been "experiencing considerable financial difficulties", as well as other problems, including the failure to pass his degree and a break-up with his girlfriend, Ruth Woodhouse.

Scenes of crime officer, Inspector David Houchin, told the inquest that the straps on Mr Hilder's parachute had been cut. He also told the inquest that a pair of scissors had been discovered in the boot of Mr Hilder's car and that his DNA was discovered on them.

The inquest was also told that Mr Hilder had sustained multiple injuries to his head and body in the fall. A pathologist's report also noted that injuries to Stephen's legs suggested that he might have made "an attempt to land on the ground with his legs".

Mr Hilder's parents, Paul and Mary, left the inquest as the report was read out.

The inquest, which is expected to last for several weeks, will have to decide if Mr Hilder took his own life.

(KMcA/SP)