The grieving parents of a young man killed in a skydiving accident are desperately seeking answers about his death.
Theo Williams, 21, had just qualified with a diploma in commercial skydiving from the New Zealand Skydiving School and completed three months' work experience at Skydive Tauranga.
He had dreamt of becoming a tandem skydiving master, and travelling abroad after lockdown.
But last year, on the morning of March 20, he jumped from a plane at 15,000 feet and fell through the air, in what would be his final jump.
His parents, have so far not chosen to view footage of the jump.
It was later said he "had the biggest smile across his face", and his father Gareth Williams told the New Zealand Herald on Sunday that "he totally loved it".
"I think it was exhilarating. If you watched video of him jumping he was in his element. He said it was amazing when he was up there because it was so green and he just loved the views", Gareth added.
There was nothing unusual about the jump, as William's canopy opened normally, and there was no evidence of equipment malfunction or difficult wind conditions.
But he crashed into the ground, and "bounced" after trying to turn at speed, just 50 feet from impact.
A post-mortem report revealed he had suffered fatal injuries.
His aorta was dislodged from his heart so no amount of resuscitation would have saved him.
He had a broken leg and his shoulder was dislocated.
Despite onlookers performing CPR until paramedics arrived, he was rushed to Tauranga Hospital and pronounced dead at 11.24am.
Then Gareth and his ex-partner Claudia travelled to Tauranga, viewed their son's shattered body at a funeral home and collected his belongings.
The following day they visited the skydiving base where Williams died, and spoke to his devastated colleagues.
A funeral was held in Hamilton, where dozens of loved ones came to say goodbye, although some teenagers struggled with the upsetting sight of their friend's lifeless body.
Claudia said he "looked beautiful" despite the fall.
After hundreds attended the funeral, Williams was buried at a local cemetery - but thirteen months on, the pain is still visceral.
The family are trying to cope without their sensitive, adventurous, fun-loving eldest son and brother.
They continue to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, to keep the memories alive.
Williams is one of three skydivers to die in accidents within as many years in New Zealand with two remaining under investigation by the coroner and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
HIs parents remain confused about the circumstances surrounding his death, adding that he was "meticulous" about safety.
"It doesn't make sense to me," Claudia said.
Gareth - who was with his son the night before he died - says there was no reason for his son to attempt a turn at speed so close to the ground.
"He knew not to do that. It's extremely dangerous," he added.
He wonders whether Williams blacked out and lost consciousness before the impact.
Claudia is trying to come to terms with what happened to her son, and stay strong for her remaining two children.
Skydive Tauranga director Tristan Webb said the fatal jump was ordinary in all respects until the final stage, but he would not comment on what may have gone wrong.
New Zealand Skydiving School joint director Tony Green said Williams was a fantastic student and colleagues were "shattered" by his death.
