The 2024 Channel 4 true crime series The Fall: Skydive Murder Plot has surged to third place on Netflix's most-watched list, drawing attention to the harrowing case of Victoria Cilliers, who survived a 4,000-foot fall after both her parachutes were sabotaged by her husband, Emile Cilliers.
Where Is Emile Cilliers Now?
Emile Cilliers, a former British Army sergeant, is serving a minimum of 18 years in prison for the attempted murder of his wife, Victoria. Sentenced in 2018, he could be eligible for release in 2036 at the age of 56. He was also convicted of tampering with a gas valve at their home in Wiltshire, part of a plot to claim Victoria's £120,000 life insurance policy.
What Happened to Victoria Cilliers?
On Easter Sunday 2015, Victoria Cilliers, an experienced skydiver with 2,654 previous jumps, took a celebratory jump for the birth of her son. Both her primary parachute and reserve failed, causing her to plummet 4,000 feet at 60 mph. She survived with a broken spine, fractured ribs, and a shattered pelvis, thanks to a soft landing in a ploughed field and the relatively low altitude of the jump.
The Investigation and Evidence
Police uncovered that Emile had sabotaged the parachute the day before the jump. The investigation was challenging due to a lack of witnesses. However, evidence emerged that Emile had caused a gas leak at the family home just days earlier, and he had searched online for 'wet nurse' two days before the sabotage. He was also found to have been in contact with his ex-wife and had texted a sex worker while visiting Victoria in the hospital. Investigating officer DC Maddy Hennah stated: "He's a narcissist and a psychopath. I don't think he will ever admit his guilt."
The Series: The Fall: Skydive Murder Plot
The three-part series uses dramatic reconstructions alongside interviews with law enforcement and eyewitnesses. MyAnna Buring portrays Victoria Cilliers, and Neil Bishop plays Emile Cilliers. The series synopsis reads: "When a skydiver somehow survives the failure of both her parachutes, two dogged detectives uncover a story of affairs, debt, sex clubs, escorts and murderous intent."
