An inquest has opened into the deaths of three sisters who died after being pulled from the sea off Brighton beach earlier this month.
Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, were found in the water at Black Rock on Brighton beach on 13 May. The 15-minute hearing at Woodvale Crematorium in Brighton heard that the cause of their deaths is yet to be ascertained.
“An inquest has opened for three sisters, Jane Adetoro, Christina Walters and Rebecca Walters, who died off Brighton beach on 13 May. Cause of death is yet to be ascertained, with no third-party involvement suspected.”
The sisters were recovered from the sea by emergency services on the morning of 13 May. Police and ambulance crews attended the scene at Black Rock, a popular coastal spot east of Brighton Marina. Formal identification of the three women has taken place, but no further details about the circumstances leading to their deaths have been released.
Senior coroner James Healy-Pratt opened and adjourned the inquest to allow for further investigations. The hearing heard there was no evidence of third-party involvement in the deaths, according to reports from the proceedings. Sussex Police have said they are not treating the incident as suspicious.
The tragedy has deeply affected the local community in Brighton and beyond. The sisters were from the Uxbridge area of west London, according to Sussex Police, who have been supporting their family. Officers have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
The inquest is expected to resume at a later date once further inquiries are complete. The coroner will then consider all evidence to determine the full circumstances of the deaths.
For the family of Jane, Christina and Rebecca, the wait for answers continues. The community in Brighton and Uxbridge has expressed shock and condolences. A fundraising page set up to support the family has raised thousands of pounds.
What This Means For You
While this tragedy is specific to the three sisters and their family, it highlights the importance of water safety along the UK coastline. Anyone visiting the beach should be aware of rip currents, sudden changes in weather, and the dangers of cold water shock. If you witness someone in difficulty in the sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.