The deaths of three sisters whose bodies were recovered from the sea off Brighton beach in May involved no criminal activity or third-party involvement, Sussex Police have concluded after a thorough investigation. Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, from Uxbridge in west London, were discovered on 13 May. A postmortem examination confirmed all three died by drowning.
The final movements
Detectives established that the three women were dropped off by taxi at Madeira Drive — the thoroughfare that runs parallel to Brighton Beach — at 10.20pm on 12 May. They were wearing ordinary, everyday clothing. The investigation found no evidence to suggest the sisters visited any nightclubs, bars or local businesses in the area that evening. Officers believe all three entered the water close to the stretch of coastline where their bodies were later recovered.
A community’s grief and questions
The case prompted an intense wave of public concern, particularly within Black communities across the UK, where the deaths of Black people in or near bodies of water have long been a source of anxiety and speculation. Chief Superintendent Adam Hays acknowledged the force had been “acutely aware of the speculation surrounding this incident” and the wider concerns raised. He thanked those who came forward with information and pledged continued support for the coronial process, urging that the family be granted privacy.
A father’s tribute
In a statement released through the police, the sisters’ father, Joseph Jacobson, spoke of a grief that on some days feels unbearable. “Jane, Christina and Becky were more than daughters to me: they were my joy, my strength and the beautiful light that filled our family with happiness and love,” he said. “Each of you was unique and precious in your own special way. Your smiles brightened dark days, your laughter brought comfort and your presence made life more meaningful. Though your time on Earth was short, the impact you made will remain in our hearts for ever.”
The road ahead
An inquest at the East Sussex Coroner’s Court will now examine the specific movements of the women before their deaths and the potential reasons they entered the water. In the meantime, a GoFundMe appeal launched to cover funeral costs has drawn more than 2,200 donations, totalling nearly £46,000 — a testament to the public’s empathy.
Why it Matters
The police conclusion brings a measure of factual clarity to a tragedy that became a focal point for deep-seated community fears about safety and systemic neglect. Yet the absence of criminality does not diminish the loss, nor does it answer the haunting question of what drove three women into the cold Channel waters on a spring night. As the coroner’s inquest proceeds, the focus must shift from speculation to understanding — not only for the sake of the Adetoro and Walters family, but for a wider public that deserves transparency when lives are cut short in such bewildering circumstances.
