The sister of three women who died in the sea off Brighton has paid a heartbreaking tribute at their joint funeral, saying: “We were four, and now I am one.”
Lilian was the only surviving sibling as family and friends gathered in north-west London to say final goodbyes to Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31. The sisters’ bodies were recovered from the water in the early hours of May 13 after emergency services were called about 5.45am following reports of a person in the water near Black Rock car park, Brighton.
“Sister of three women who drowned off Brighton paid tribute at their funeral: 'We were four, and now I am one.'”
In the order of service, their father wrote: “You were more than my daughters: you were my joy, my strength and the beautiful light that filled my life with love.” He added: “No words can truly describe the pain of losing three daughters in the prime of their lives. There are moments when it feels unbearable, but I hold tightly to the memories we shared, the love we knew and the bond that nothing can ever take away.”
He paid individual tributes to each daughter, recalling Jane’s strength, Tina’s kindness and Becky’s warmth. The sisters, all born in Luton, had been living together in Greenford, west London.
Speaking at the funeral, their cousin Natalie Walters-Daniel said: “Your lives will never be forgotten, and your memory will live on forever. Together they accomplished so much. They pursued their education, they built careers, they created lives that reflected the values their parents instilled in them.”
An inquest into the deaths has been opened, with causes still to be established. At a hearing at Brighton & Hove Coroner’s Court on May 29, senior coroner Penelope Schofield said she hoped the inquest would “stop the social media speculation” surrounding how the sisters died. Police have said they are satisfied there was no third-party involvement.
The court heard that Jane’s body was brought ashore by the RNLI before she was pronounced dead at the scene. Christina was also recovered by an RNLI lifeboat and taken to Brighton Marina lifeboat station, where she was pronounced dead. Rebecca’s body later washed ashore near Black Rock. Their father formally identified all three bodies.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays has previously said they would “leave no stone unturned” as the investigation continues. The inquest is set to continue in early October.