Post by Taxigirl on Nov 21, 2003 10:21:20 GMT
Part of a parachute rig thought to belong to murdered skydiver Stephen Hilder is being examined by forensic scientists.
Detectives said the "cutaway pad" was found on Wednesday by a farmer in Hibalstow, North Lincolnshire, near the field where Mr Hilder's body was recovered.
The 20-year-old, who was an army cadet at the Royal Military College of Science in Oxfordshire, plunged 13,000 feet to his death during a skydiving competition after both his main and reserve parachutes were sabotaged.
The small piece of canvas was found between the field where Mr Hilder's body was found and where his pilot chute was recovered.
Humberside Police said they still had to assess the significance of the find but believed it did come from Mr Hilder's parachute.
Detective Superintendent Colin Andrews said: "The pad may not turn out to be significant in terms of forensic value, however it is a missing piece of the rig and it helps us continue to put the jigsaw together.
"I would like to reiterate my plea to people out there who have information that might be of interest to us to get in contact with us."
No-one has been charged with Mr Hilder's murder but a number of men, including two of his friends, have been arrested and questioned over his death.