The women were named by Sussex Police as Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, from the Uxbridge area of London
Three sisters who were recovered from the sea off Brighton beach died of drowning after being dropped nearby by taxi, police have said. Emergency services were called after concerns were raised for a person’s welfare at around 5.45am on May 13, before three bodies were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive.
The women were named by Sussex Police as Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, from the Uxbridge area of London. An inquest opened in Brighton in May heard post-mortem examinations had offered a provisional cause of death as “yet to be ascertained”.
On Sunday, Sussex Police said post-mortem examinations had “confirmed all three women died by drowning”. The force also said the police investigation into the sisters’ deaths had concluded and found no evidence of criminality or third-party involvement.
During the investigation, Sussex Police officers, supported by other forces, reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, took statements from witnesses across the country and conducted other inquiries to establish the sisters’ movements prior to their deaths.
The investigation found the three women were dropped off by taxi at Madeira Drive at 10.20pm on May 12, and found no evidence they visited any nightclubs or businesses in the area that evening.
The women were found to have entered the water near to where their bodies were recovered the following morning, “wearing everyday clothing”.
The force said “there is no evidence the women came to harm by any individuals”. As the investigation has concluded, the inquest will resume to determine the facts of where, when and how the three sisters died. An inquest hearing in May heard Ms Adetoro was brought to shore by an RNLI crew and declared dead by a paramedic at the scene.
Christina Walters was recovered from the sea by an RNLI lifeboat and 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.”
