Rochester skydiving instructor took his own life, report concludes

Searchers fan out on Sept. 28 heading southwest from Skydive New England just hours before Brett Bickford's body was found in thick woods. (Rochester Voice file photo)

LEBANON, Maine - State Police say a Rochester skydiving instructor who fell to his death during a tandem jump at Skydiver New England in September took his own life.

"The State Medical Examiner's Office has concluded that the death of 41-year-old Brett Bickford of Rochester was a suicide," said a brief statement sent from State Police on Monday.

The investigation - which was headed by the FAA - concluded that after numerous interviews with other skydivers and industry officials that no experienced skydiver "would loosen a parachute harness by mistake."

Bickford, a longtime instructor at Skydive New England, was jumping with a second man at the time. Investigators concluded that Bickford loosened his harness in midair, and "it was an intentional act."

The second jumper, who was skydiving for the first time, landed safely in the landing zone.

Bickford's body was found in thick woods about 750 feet southwest of Skydive New England on Sept. 28, a day after the incident.

Tandem jumps are typically made with the student and instructor in separate harnesses that are attached, with the instructor secured behind the student.

Both jump out together at about 14,000 feet and freefall for about a minute as they head toward earth at 120 mph.

Bickford's death was the first at Skydive New England since 2002.