Experts mull over skydiver death

Stephen Hilder was an experienced skydiver

Police investigating skydiver Stephen Hilder's death have called a meeting of experts to try to solve the mystery.

The 20-year-old plunged 13,000 feet to his death last summer after both his parachutes were sabotaged.

Detectives initially assumed that he had been murdered but they are now increasingly looking at the possibility that he committed suicide.

Humberside detectives have interviewed 2,500 people but still have found no motive for murder.

The Oxfordshire army cadet's main and reserve parachutes were expertly cut and the moment he leapt from the plane over Hibaldstow Airfield in Lincolnshire his death was inevitable.

'Unprecedented case'

At Wednesday's conference, serving and retired detectives and criminal and behavioural psychologists will gather to see if there is any stone which has been left unturned by those leading this unique investigation.

"This case is unprecedented and because of that we have not been able to get any input into the enquiry from officers with previous knowledge or experience of any similar job," said Detective Superintendent Colin Andrews, who is leading the inquiry.

"However, there are a lot of very experienced senior investigating officers across the country who have worked on very complex murder investigations and I want to tap into their skills, knowledge and expertise to see if they can see anything that we have missed."

Suicide has become a stronger theory but in the absence of any evidence remains just a theory.

Around 20 officers continue to work full-time on the inquiry and new information is continually being turned up.