Three women who died in the sea off Brighton in unclear circumstances were sisters from north-west London, police have confirmed. Sussex Police identified the women as Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walter, 32, and Rebecca Walter, 31, from the Uxbridge area of London.
Emergency Response
Emergency services were called to the beach after concerns were raised about a person spotted in the water at around 5.45am last Wednesday near Madeira Drive. The coastguard deployed a helicopter and rescue teams from the surrounding area to assist with efforts. Three bodies were later recovered from the sea nearby.
Police Investigation
Sussex Police announced last Thursday that it had carried out extensive enquiries to identify the three women. Their next of kin were all informed, and specialist officers are supporting their families. An investigation is ongoing to understand how all three women came to be in the water, police said, adding there was no evidence to suggest third-party involvement or criminality.
Community Reaction
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays called the incident a 'heartbreaking tragedy'. Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey called the incident "the most devastating news" the city had received "for a very long time". "I can't think of anything more tragic or more horrendous, really," she told BBC Radio Sussex. "This is the last thing that anyone wants or expects to happen."
Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade, said the incident was a "sobering and heartbreaking reminder that our families, neighbours and communities are what is important". "I am desperately upset for the families and friends of these women," he said on Wednesday. "Our seafront is one of the many jewels in the crown of our city, but the sea can be a risk. However, for tonight I shall only be thinking about the families and friends affected by this tragedy."
This is a breaking news story, more to follow.
