Three sisters recovered from the sea off Brighton beach died by drowning, Sussex Police have confirmed, as the investigation into their deaths concluded with no evidence of criminality or third-party involvement.
The women were named as Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, all from the Uxbridge area of London. Emergency services were alerted at approximately 5.45am on May 13 following concerns about a person's welfare, before three bodies were recovered from the water close to Madeira Drive.
Investigation findings
An inquest opened in Brighton in May heard that post-mortem examinations had returned a provisional cause of death as "yet to be ascertained". However, on Sunday, Sussex Police confirmed that post-mortem examinations had "confirmed all three women died by drowning".
Throughout the investigation, officers supported by other forces reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, gathered witness statements from across the country and carried out further enquiries to piece together the sisters' movements prior to their deaths.
Timeline of events
It was established that the three women were dropped off by taxi at Madeira Drive at 10.20pm on May 12, with no evidence found that they visited any nightclubs or businesses in the area that evening. The women were found to have entered the water close to where their bodies were later recovered the following morning, "wearing everyday clothing". The force confirmed "there is no evidence the women came to harm by any individuals".
A hearing in May revealed that Ms Adetoro was brought ashore by an RNLI crew and pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic. Christina Walters was pulled from the water by an RNLI lifeboat, while Rebecca Walters was washed ashore onto Brighton beach. Both were also pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.
Family's grief and next steps
In the wake of the sisters' deaths, their father Joseph Jacobson spoke of days when the grief felt "unbearable", yet he found solace in cherished memories and "the bond that death can never take away".
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays stated: "From the outset of this complex and challenging investigation, we have been acutely aware of the speculation surrounding this incident, the public's unanswered questions and their desire for answers.
"Our priority throughout has been uncovering the truth for the loved ones of Jane, Rebecca and Christina, because at this incident's core there has always been a grieving family coming to terms with an unthinkable tragedy and loss. Our investigation has been thorough.
"Our extensive inquiries intentionally considered concerns raised by black communities surrounding the deaths of black people in or near bodies of water, as we worked to understand who the three women were, and the factors that could have led to them being found on the beach that morning.
"However, our inquiries have now concluded, pending any new information coming to light. Jane, Rebecca and Christina's tragic deaths sparked a national outpouring of grief, and I would like to thank everyone who supported our investigation by coming forward with information.
"We will now support the coronial process and ask that the sisters' family continue to be given privacy to come to terms with their loss."
With the investigation concluded, the inquest will recommence to establish the facts surrounding where, when and how the three sisters lost their lives.
