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Police investigating skydiver Stephen Hilder's death say they are no longer treating it as murder.

Detectives revealed at a news conference that tests on a pair of scissors found in his car had traces of 20-year-old Stephen's DNA - no-one else's was found on the implement.


Detective Superintendent Colin Andrews said fibres from Stephen's parachute were also found on the scissors.

After his death, police discovered that Stephen's parachute cords had been cut.

As a result of the DNA tests, police say they are now treating Stephen's case as an "unexplained death".

The detective added that it was not the job of the police to speculate on whether Stephen took his own life.

"Our job is to get the evidence and it's now up to the coroner to decide whether he committed suicide," said Det Supt Andrews.

"We are satisfied that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with Stephen's death. However, its now in the hands of the coroner to listen to the evidence we have gathered and establish a finding for Stephen's death."

The Army cadet fell 13,000ft to his death on July 4 last year.

It was later discovered the cords on his parachute had been cut. Despite interviews with hundreds of people, including Stephen's fellow skydivers, police were unable to charge anyone.

The tests were ordered last month after the force announced it had discovered a "significant development" relating to the forensic side of the inquiry.

Detectives travelled to Hereford this week to brief Mr Hilder's parents on the new information.

Mr Hilder plunged to his death to his death while competing in a national skydiving contest at Hibaldstow, near Brigg, in Lincolnshire.