Skydiver's death was 'not murder'

Stephen Hilder fell 13,000ft to his death when his parachute failed

Police investigating the death of skydiver Stephen Hilder say they are no longer treating the case as murder.

New forensic evidence now suggests Mr Hilder, 20, may have killed himself.

An experienced skydiver from Hereford, Mr Hilder died after falling 13,000ft over Hibaldstow Airfield, North Lincolnshire last July.

At a news conference on Friday, officers said tests showed Mr Hilder may have been responsible for cutting the cords on both his parachutes.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Colin Andrews said: "I am satisfied that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with Stephen's death.

"However, it is now in the hands of the coroner to listen to the evidence we have gathered and establish a finding for Stephen's death."

Pair of scissors

Mr Andrews refused to describe Mr Hilder's death as suicide, saying that was a matter for the coroner.

But he revealed new evidence which centred on the results of tests carried out on fibres recovered from a pair of scissors retrieved from the boot of Mr Hilder's car.

Similar fibres were also found on clothing worn by Mr Hilder on the day he made the fatal parachute jump.

Humberside Police said in addition to the fibres, tests carried out on the scissors has found only one set of DNA and that belonged to Mr Hilder.

In a statement the force said: "We are not prepared to go into any more detail about these findings as this information will be discussed at length at the coroner's inquest.

I was always confident that the hard work our officers have invested into this inquiry would pay off and it now appears that our investigations are coming to an end Det Supt Colin Andrews

"These forensic findings, in conjunction with the findings of the criminal investigation, have led police to believe that nobody else is involved in Stephen's death."

Mr Andrews also defended the investigation, which spanned 10 months and involved several arrests - including the two friends who Mr Hilder made his fatal jump with.

He said: "Since Stephen died at Hibaldstow more than 10 months ago a huge amount of work has been undertaken by a team of dedicated officers.

"Our inquiries have taken us the length and breadth of this country as well as further afield and I can assure you that no stone has been left unturned.

"I was always confident that the hard work our officers have invested into this inquiry would pay off and it now appears that our investigations are coming to an end."

During the investigation, Humberside Police have interviewed almost 2,500 people and taken nearly 800 written statements.

In the absence of a suspect or motive, serving and retired detectives and criminal and behavioural psychologists gathered in January to see if any stone had been left unturned.

Video footage

Last month police revealed there had been a "significant development" in the forensic side of the investigation.

Twenty-year-old Mr Hilder was an Army officer cadet from the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham, Oxfordshire.

He fell to his death after leaping from a plane over Hibaldstow Airfield in Lincolnshire on 4 July. His main and reserve parachutes had been deliberately cut, police believe.

Video footage showing Mr Hilder moments before his death was shown on a Crimewatch appeal shortly after the tragedy last year.

Mr Hilder's father, Paul, told journalists his son was a "loving, supportive and popular."

He said: "We are keeping an open mind regarding the circumstances surrounding Stephen's death."

Paul Hilder said the family would await the outcome of the inquest which will probably be held in Scunthorpe later this year.