Stillwater woman’s parachute ‘fully’ deployed before fatal incident, company officials say

ST. PAUL — Officials at an Arizona skydiving company say Ann Wick’s parachute fully deployed “as designed” before her death on Friday, Jan. 24.

Wick, 55, of Stillwater, died around 4:10 p.m. Friday in the fatal parachute incident at Skydive Arizona in Eloy, Ariz. The investigation into her death continues, said Capt. Brian Jerome of the Eloy Police Department.

Skydive Arizona officials wrote in a statement to People magazine that eyewitnesses reported the free-fall phase of the skydive “appeared normal, with the parachute deploying as expected.”

“Despite the parachute fully deploying as designed, observers noted the canopy was turning,” the statement to People read. “No corrective actions appeared to be taken by the jumper, nor was the reserve parachute deployed. The injuries sustained during landing proved fatal.”

Company officials told People they were “saddened by the loss of a cherished member of the skydiving family. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”

Skydive Arizona officials also said they are cooperating with authorities to assist them in the investigation.

Police said Wick died after “experiencing complications during descent” at Skydive Arizona, which is billed as “the world’s largest skydiving center.” First responders initiated lifesaving measures, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy has been conducted, but the medical examiner has not yet released a cause of death, Jerome said.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration took Wick’s pack, helmet, altimeter and canopy to examine, he said.

FAA officials said Wednesday that the agency will investigate how the main and reserve parachutes were packed as well as flight rules for the pilot and aircraft.

If the FAA doesn’t find any evidence of regulatory violations, the case will be turned over to Eloy police.

Wick, a registered nurse and the mother of two, was an experienced parachutist who had jumped “300 to 400 times,” said her brother, Jeff Wallis, who lives in South St. Paul. She took up the sport around the same time she graduated from nursing school a few years ago, he said.

She had previously gone to Skydive Arizona to jump and had traveled there for the weekend to participate in an all-women’s jump, he said.

A GoFundMe online fundraiser (gofund.me/a60c9c31) has been created to help her family cover funeral expenses and educational and housing costs; Wick is survived by her two children. Organizers hope to raise $50,000.

Stillwater is located in southeast Minnesota, roughly 25 miles east of Minneapolis.