Jealousy blamed in skydiver death

Prosecutors say jealousy drove Els Clottemans to kill Els Van Doren, with whom she shared a passion for skydiving and a lover.

Clottemans, 26, denies murder and accusations she killed Van Doren to have the lover, another Dutch skydiver, to herself.

The case has captured the imagination of Belgians since Van Doren fell 13,000ft into a suburban garden in eastern Belgium after her parachute did not open on November 18, 2006.

A married mother of two and skydiving enthusiast, Van Doren had jumped from a plane with Clottemans, their Dutch lover and another skydiver. Clottemans jumped a fraction too late and did not join in airborne stunts with the other three.

When the sign was given to open the parachutes, Van Doren struggled with the cords, before hurtling toward the ground.

Clottemans became a prime suspect when she attempted suicide hours before she was to make a second statement to police, a month after the incident.

The investigation revealed that Clottemans had a relationship with the same skydiver as Van Doren.

Prosecutors allege she tampered with Van Doren's parachute and cut two vital cords.

Prosecutors hope circumstantial links will secure a conviction.