Emile Cilliers sentence explained and where he is now as doc lands on Netflix
A three-part documentary series recounting the extraordinary case of Victoria Cilliers is now available on Netflix. The series reveals how Victoria, a seasoned skydiver, incredibly survived a 4,000ft plunge after both her parachutes failed to deploy. Originally produced for Channel 4, the documentary, titled The Fall Skydive Murder Plot, examines how officers investigated the incident and compiled evidence showing Victoria's parachute had been interfered with.
Suspicion quickly fell upon her husband, Emile Cilliers. Born in South Africa, he relocated to the UK during the early 2000s. The couple met in 2009 following treatment at the facility where Victoria worked as a physiotherapist. They subsequently married and had two children together. However, throughout their marriage, Emile displayed concerning conduct, including squandering Victoria's money and accumulating debt, whilst Victoria believed him to be conducting an affair.
After investigation, officers charged Emile Cilliers with the attempted murder of his wife. They argued that he intentionally sabotaged the parachute prior to the jump. Investigators believed his motive was to claim Victoria's life insurance policy to settle his debts and start afresh with his girlfriend. Prior to the parachute jump, Emile had also attempted to kill Victoria by leaving the gas running in their home. Fortunately, she and their children escaped unharmed after Victoria detected the leak.
The case first came to trial in October 2017, though the jury was unable to reach a verdict. A second trial followed in May 2018, at the conclusion of which he was convicted on two counts of attempted murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years. During sentencing, Mr Justice Sweeney told Cilliers he was of "quite exceptional callousness" and described the evidence against him as "overwhelming". Cilliers is currently serving his sentence at HM Dovegate Prison in Staffordshire.