Experts suspect cadet took own life (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Experts suspect cadet took own life

FORENSIC experts have claimed skydiver Stephen Hilder sabotaged his own parachutes before jumping to his death.

The 20-year-old Army cadet, who was based at Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham, died as he competed in a national skydiving contest, sparking a worldwide hunt for his killer.

But experts say they can prove Mr Hilder cut the cord on his main parachute and the four harness straps on the reserve, sending him plunging to the ground at 120 miles per hour.

Two new forensic tests may have brought the mysterious case to a close. First, DNA from the sweat on Mr Hilder's hands has been discovered around the frayed ends of material that was slashed on one of his parachutes.

Second and crucially minute fibres released into the air when the parachutes were being cut have been found on the clothes Mr Hilder was wearing when his body was recovered from a cornfield close to Hibaldstow Aerodrome, near Brigg, Lincolnshire.

Scientists have told detectives the discovery of those fibres on his body means Mr Hilder had to be present when his parachutes were sabotaged.

Humberside Police confirmed there had been a "significant development forensically" in the inquiry into Mr Hilder's death but said they could not release more information until further tests had been carried out.

Mr Hilder's devastated parents, Paul, a local government officer, and Mary, a college lecturer, had been convinced their son was murdered.

They were told about the new evidence at the family home in Hereford last week.

Mr Hilder's friends, 19-year-old Army cadets Adrian Blair and David Mason, who were the prime suspects, were also told by police they were now in the clear.

The only mystery remaining is why Mr Hilder, who appeared to have everything to live for, should take his own life.

The former Bristol University student was deeply religious and converted to Roman Catholicism shortly before joining the Army.

Detectives carried out exhaustive checks in to his private life and found no dark secrets.

While studying management and logistics at the Royal Military College of Science he had found romance there with fellow Army cadet Ruth Woodhouse, 24.

The search for Mr Hilder's killer saw detectives chasing leads as far as Russia, Cyprus and South Africa,

Police interviewed almost 2,500 people and took almost 800 statements. Even an appeal on BBC Crimewatch failed to throw up any useful leads.