Parachute plunge 'could be suicide'

A skydiver who plunged to his death after his parachute failed to open may have committed suicide to escape problems with money, exams and his love-life, an inquest heard today.

Police launched a murder inquiry when straps on Stephen Hilder's parachute were found to have been cut. But after 10 months of "intensive investigations" they could find no motive.

Mr Hilder, 20, died from multiple injuries at Hibaldstow airfield, Lincolnshire, in July 2003. The Scunthorpe inquest heard that three people were arrested but later released and are no longer under suspicion after the Crown Prosecution Service ruled there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone with murder.

Detective Inspector Barry Longstaff told the hearing: "Stephen was experiencing considerable financial difficulties, he had failed his degree again and a relationship was coming to an end, indicating that he may have taken his own life."

However, police could not be certain he had committed suicide because he left no note and did not tell anyone he intended to kill himself.

Mr Hilder, of Herefordshire, suffered "substantial injuries to his head and all parts of his body". A pathology report suggested his injuries "may have indicated an attempt to land on the ground with his legs".

Scene-of-crime officer Inspector David Houchin said three of the four severed straps on the parachute bore traces of the dead man's DNA, as did a pair of scissors in his car which was found at the airfield, unlocked with the keys in the ignition. Police consulted a British Parachute Association expert to confirm the scissors could have been used to cut the straps.

Mr Hilder had attended Bristol University but his love of skydiving affected his academic results and he failed his first year, later describing it as his "biggest ever regret", said Mr Longstaff. Reluctantly, he went to the Defence Academy in Wiltshire, but continued to struggle academically. He and his girlfriend had agreed to separate shortly before his death, the inquest heard.

The hearing continues.