THE parachute belonging to murdered Herefordshire skydiver Stephen Hilder was packed by a female worker days before his fatal jump, it has emerged.

Detectives investigating the death of the 20-year-old former army cadet from Stretton Sugwas made the discovery last week.

Officers now know that having jumped at Netheravon on the Sunday before his tragic jump in Hibaldstow, Stephen's parachute was packed by a female who worked on the site.

Det Supt Colin Andrews, of Humberside Police, said: "It is incredible that details such as these are still being unearthed, seven months into the investigation. This demonstrates there is still work to do and the detectives on the case will continue to pursue their enquiries."

A small team of detectives visited the British Parachute Association annual meeting in Leicester last weekend.

And senior detectives from across the country were meeting this week in Scunthorpe to help with the investigation.

Stephen died last year during the National Championships of the British Collegiate Parachute Association at Hibaldstow airfield. His main chute and reserve cord had been deliberately cut.