Parents' plea over skydiver death

Stephen Hilder had completed more than 200 jumps

The parents of murdered skydiver Stephen Hilder have made a fresh appeal for information about his death, warning that his killer could strike again.

Mr Hilder, who would have turned 21 next week, fell 13,000 feet to his death on 4 July, after both his main and reserve parachutes were sabotaged.

At a news conference in their home city of Hereford on Friday, Paul and Mary Hilder said five months into the investigation they could not find any reason why anyone would want to kill their son.

Mr Hilder said the fear that the killer could do the same again was rife among the skydiving community

"It has had an impact. They are all concerned it will happen again," he said.

It makes even less sense now - we found out a lot about Steve that confirmed he was a good guy and a lot of people thought a lot of him Mary Hilder, mother

Appealing to anyone with any information about his son's killer to come forward, Mr Hilder said: "They should realise what we are going through and the fact it could be done again.

"Somebody knows who did this. They must come forward."

Stephen Hilder, an Army cadet at the Royal Military College of Science in Oxfordshire who had completed more than 200 parachute jumps, was killed while taking part in the National Championships of the British Collegiate Parachute Association.

Mrs Hilder said Stephen had been a bright, lively and energetic young man.

Paul and Mary Hilder warned their son's killer could strike again

"Through his friends we have got to know another Stephen who was supported and cared for, he was mature beyond his years.

"It should have been his 21st next week, he should be out with his mates."

Stephen's mother was asked if investigations into her son's background had revealed any reason why he had been targeted.

She said :"It makes even less sense now. We found out a lot about Steve that confirmed he was a good guy and a lot of people thought a lot of him.

"He was no angel, but there had been no great secrets."

Three men arrested in connection with his death, at a north Lincolnshire airfield, were released on bail.

The men arrested, two aged 19 and one aged 24, were given bail pending further inquiries.