Cause of deaths of three sisters found dead in sea off Brighton beach remains a mystery
The inquest into the deaths of three London sisters, whose bodies were found in the sea off the coast of Brighton, stated that the cause of death “could not be determined”.
The bodies of Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, were pulled from the water near Madeira Road after someone sounded the alarm around 5:45 a.m. on May 13.
It remains unclear how they fell into the water or why the sisters, who share a flat in Greenford, west London, were in Brighton.
Sussex Police said there was no evidence to suggest the incident was criminal or that anyone else was involved, but specialist detectives were working to gather all the facts and circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Senior coroner Penelope Schofield, who opened an inquest into their deaths on Friday, reassured the sisters’ grieving father Joseph Jacobson that police had indicated they were not seeking the intervention of any third party.
“I hope that by providing this information we will stop speculation on social media about their deaths,” he added.
Brighton Coroner’s Court heard Rebecca’s body washed up on Brighton beach and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Jane and Christina were pulled from the water by RNLI lifeboats, but both were pronounced dead on shore.
In the investigation, it was stated that autopsy examinations were carried out and the temporary cause of death of the sisters was recorded as “not yet determined”.
The court heard that “medical investigations are ongoing to ascertain the cause of death” of all three women, but at this stage police are satisfied that a third party was involved.
Mr Jacobson, who formally identified his daughter’s body, attended the hearing remotely via video link along with other family members. Expressing her condolences, coroner Ms Schofield said their loss “must be unbearable for you”.
He adjourned the inquest into all three deaths until October 3.
The tragedy occurred 16 years after Janice Adetoro, the mother of the three girls, died in a lake in Birmingham.
A fundraising appeal launched following the deaths has raised more than £43,000 to give them “the loving and dignified farewell they deserve”.
Adesoji Adetoro, the organizer of the fundraiser, wrote that it was established in the name of his brother Joseph and his family, adding that they had a hard time accepting what happened.
“No parent should have to bury one child, let alone all three,” he said.
“While my brother tries to solve this unimaginable tragedy, he also faces the heartbreaking task of organizing three funerals.
“As a family, we want to give the girls the loving and dignified farewell they deserve.”
In a statement last week, Mr Jacobson said there were days when the pain was “unbearable” but he held on to the memories they shared and “the bond that death can never take away”.
Remembering her daughters as her joy, her strength, and “the beautiful light that filled our family with happiness and love,” she said: “Each of you was unique and precious in your own special way. Your smile brightened dark days, your laughter brought comfort, and your presence made life more meaningful.”
Police said they were reviewing hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and making inquiries at businesses and properties in the beach area to trace the women’s recent movements.
Anyone with information is asked to come forward, especially anyone who saw the sisters in the Madeira Drive area between 10pm on May 12 and 5:30am on May 13.
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hays said police would “leave no stone unturned” in the investigation to understand what led to the “tragic events of that Wednesday morning”.
