Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, were found dead in the sea off Brighton beach in May after being dropped by taxi nearby
Three sisters whose bodies were recovered from the sea off Brighton beach died from drowning after being dropped near the waterfront by a taxi, Sussex Police have said.
The bodies of Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, all from the Uxbridge area of west London, were recovered from the water near Madeira Drive after emergency services were called at about 5.45am on May 13 amid concerns for a person’s welfare.
An inquest opened in Brighton in May heard that post-mortem examinations had given a provisional cause of death as “yet to be ascertained”. Police said on Sunday that further examinations had now confirmed all three women died by drowning.
On Sunday, Sussex Police confirmed that post-mortem examinations had “confirmed all three women died by drowning”. The force also announced that the police investigation into the sisters’ deaths had concluded, finding no evidence of criminality or third-party involvement.
Throughout the investigation, Sussex Police officers, supported by other forces, reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, gathered statements from witnesses across the country and carried out further enquiries to establish the sisters’ movements prior to their deaths.
The investigation established that the three women were dropped off by taxi at Madeira Drive at 10.20pm on 12 May, 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 recovered the following morning, “wearing everyday clothing”. The force confirmed “there is no evidence the women came to harm by any individuals”.
With the investigation now complete, the inquest will proceed to establish the circumstances surrounding where, when and how the three sisters lost their lives. An inquest hearing in May was told that Ms Adetoro was brought ashore by an RNLI crew and declared dead by a paramedic at the scene.
Christina Walters was retrieved from the water by an RNLI lifeboat, while Rebecca Walters was washed on to the shore of Brighton beach. Both were also declared dead by paramedics.
Following the sisters’ deaths, their father Joseph Jacobson had said there were days when the grief felt “unbearable”, but he held on to the memories they shared and “the bond that death can never take away”.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: “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.”
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login