Suicidal Skydiving Instructor Released Harness Midair During Tandem Dive

After a two month investigation, authorities have ruled the death of skydiving instructor Brett Bickford a suicide. On September 27th, Bickford was doing a tandem dive with a student in Lebanon, Maine when he unhooked his harness, separating from his student and falling one mile to his death. 

The student landed safely and called police after he could not find Bickford. Investigators found his body the next day in a field around 750 feet from Lebanon Airport. 

Following a complex investigation, in which police interviewed numerous people including other skydiving instructors, they determined that Bickford's death was not an accident.

“State Police interviews with other skydivers and industry officials concluded that no experienced skydiver would loosen a parachute harness by mistake,” police said in the statement. “Investigators concluded that Bickford loosened his harness in midair and it was an intentional act.”

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