Woman killed in skydiving accident was social-media influencer

The 21-year-old Toronto woman who was killed in a skydiving accident over the weekend has been identified as Tanya Pardazi, a social media influencer.

Pardazi was critically injured after jumping from a plane operating out of Skydive Toronto at 4th Line and 10th Sideroad in Innisfil on Saturday, Aug. 27 at around 5:40 p.m. She was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. 

Pardazi was a student at the University of Toronto, studying philosophy, and had a TikTok account under the handle philosatea, with nearly 100,000 followers. 

"One of her favourite topics to talk about was meaning of life and the curiosity of the after-life," Pardazi's close friend Melody Ozgoli said.

The last TikTok video posted on her account was on Aug. 22 where she talks to the camera about Tetris and skydiving. In the comments section of the video are now dozens of messages of condolences from friends, families and followers. 

Ozgoli says she was shocked when she heard the news about the fatal accident.

"I talked to her recently. I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a joke. It has been a couple of days and I still can't believe it," she said.

The pair had been friends for 10 years after meeting in elementary school.

"She was adventurous and always trying new exciting stuff," said Ozgoli. "Skydiving was supposed to be another fun adventure for her."

"She was a friend for hard times. No matter what was happening she was always there for everyone during tough times. She was a gift to the world," she said.

According to a press release from Skydive Toronto, Pardazi was a "recent addition" to the skydiving community and had released a quickly rotating parachute at a low altitude without the time/altitude required for the reserve parachute to inflate. 

Police are investigating the fatality in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner.