Skydiver's family in murder appeal

Mr Hilder was an experienced skydiver

The family of a skydiver who plunged to his death when his parachute was sabotaged have made an appeal to help catch his "wicked" killer.

Oxfordshire army cadet Stephen Hilder, 20, died after plunging 13,000 feet during a competition at Hibaldstow Airfield in north Lincolnshire last Friday.

Detectives revealed that the cord on his main parachute had been deliberately severed as well as the strapping on his reserve chute.

Speaking at a news conference at Hereford Racecourse, Paul and Mary Hilder, both 51, spoke of their "extraordinary son".

Mrs Hilder said: "Stephen lit up our lives with his enthusiasm, energy, humour and physical presence.

The person who did this carried out a wicked act - and a deliberate act Detective Superintendent Colin Andrews

"We are here in the hope someone can help police to progress things to a point where we can bring him home and grieve in private.

"He was an extraordinary son. He loved people and was a private person who loved life an lived it to the full.

"But above all else he loved skydiving.

"We can't imagine why anyone would want to do him any harm."

Mr Hilder revealed that his son only started skydiving 21 months ago and was fulfilling his long ambition to be a military man.

He added: "Someone knows what happened in Lincolnshire on Friday.

Stephen's parents said their son loved skydiving

"It should not have been his last jump."

Humberside Police say the sabotage was not a random incident and believe the evidence points to the killer being someone that Stephen knew.

Detective Superintendent Colin Andrews said: "The person who did this carried out a wicked act - and a deliberate act.

"They must have known that when Stephen put that parachute on and jumped out of the plane he was going to his death.

He added: "Clearly they are a very dangerous individual and we do need to catch them."