The women were named as Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, from the Uxbridge area of London
Three sisters pulled from the sea off Brighton beach have been confirmed as having drowned after being dropped nearby by a taxi, according to police.
Emergency services were alerted following concerns raised about a person’s welfare at approximately 5.45am on May 13, before three bodies were recovered from the water close to Madeira Drive. Sussex Police identified the women as Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, all from the Uxbridge area of London.
An inquest which 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“.
The force also announced that the investigation into the sisters’ deaths had been concluded, with no evidence of criminality or third-party involvement uncovered.
Throughout the investigation, Sussex Police 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.
It was 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 later 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 concluded, the inquest will recommence to establish the facts surrounding where, when and how the three sisters lost their lives. 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.
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.”
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