Sgt Emile Cilliers: Wiltshire soldier named on attempted murder charge after wife's parachute fall

British Army sergeant Emile Cilliers held on suspicion of attempted murder after his wife's parachute failed to open during a skydive.

South-African born Sgt Emile Cilliers was quizzed by police after the Army Parachute Association tipped off police about their concerns over the parachute's deployment, and the possibility her parachute could have been sabotaged before the jump.

His wife Victoria fell 4,000ft (1,219m) over Wiltshire on 5 April. She suffered serious multiple injuries including a broken collarbone, broken leg and spinal injuries. The police described her surviving the fall as "miraculous".

South-African born Sgt Emile Cilliers was held on suspicion of attempted murder after his wife’s parachute failed to open during a skydive Facebook

Her life was saved after her reserve parachute opened partially, saving her life. It's believed she is a former soldier, an experienced parachutist and a member of The Army Parachute Association.

It's believed she is a former soldier, an experienced parachutist and a member of The Army Parachute Association.

Detectives said 'slinks', or soft links, used to connect the canopy to the parachute harness, were "missing" and they were particularly keen to find them.

The slinks' are strips of material which connect the jumper's harness to the canopies. Without them a parachute cannot function properly.

Det Insp Paul Franklin, said Mrs Cilliers was an experienced parachutist but had "very nearly lost her life" in what should have been a "routine" jump.

The 39 year-old is now out of hospital and recovering at home after the incident on 4 April at the Netheravon Airfield near Salisbury.

According to a Mail On Sunday report, Mrs Cilliers wrote on Facebook: "Where do I go from here? I have no idea where to start.

"It is a hundred times harder as I am housebound and cannot care independently for my children due to my current injuries.

"I have had a lot of support from the police/medical chain/social work, but I really need friends too."

Mrs Cilliers told friends that her husband had moved out of the home they shared in Amesbury, Wiltshire, with their children, Lily, three, and baby son Ethan.

Cilliers was bailed to return at a later date.