Mother of sisters who died off Brighton beach also drowned, family reveal

Heartbreaking

The three women whose bodies were recovered from the sea off Brighton beach last week were named on Wednesday by police as sisters Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walter, 32, and Rebecca Walter, 31.

They were from the Uxbridge area of London.

Their father, Joseph, paid a devastating tribute to his daughters, saying his heart is 'full of sorrow' and that no words could describe the pain of losing all three.

"Jane, Christina, and Becky were more than daughters to me," he said. "They were my joy, my strength, and the beautiful light that filled our family with happiness and love. 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."

He continued: "Jane, your strength and loving spirit will never be forgotten. Christina, your kindness and beautiful heart touched so many lives. Becky, your warmth and joyful soul brought happiness wherever you went. You were deeply loved, and you will always be deeply missed.

"Though you are no longer here beside us, your spirits live on in our hearts every day. Love like yours never dies."

Now, in a heartbreaking update, the family of the victims have revealed that the mother of the three women also died by drowning in Birmingham in 2010.

Their aunt, Ajike Adetoro, suggested to The Times that the sisters may have been paying tribute to their mother.

Emergency services were called to Brighton beach shortly before 6am on Wednesday, May 13, after concerns were raised for a woman's welfare. The three bodies were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive.

A lifeboat was deployed and a helicopter circled overhead as police and coastguard officials lined the seafront.

Locals have speculated the sisters may have been swept out after paddling into the water and falling off a coastal shelf into deeper sea, though Sussex Police have not confirmed any theory as to what happened.

Officers have stressed there is currently no evidence of third-party involvement or criminality, but specialist detectives are continuing to piece together exactly what happened in the hours before the sisters were found.

The investigation has so far involved reviewing hundreds of hours of CCTV, enquiries at properties and businesses near the beach, and extensive work with partner forces in Brighton and London to trace the sisters' final movements.

Chief Superintendent Adam Hays, Divisional Commander for Brighton and Hove, said: "The thoughts of everyone at Sussex Police are with the family of Jane, Christina and Rebecca following this devastating loss. I know this incident has had a profound impact on the local community in Brighton, and across the country, and I'd like to reassure the public we will leave no stone unturned in our investigation to understand exactly what led to the tragic events of that Wednesday morning."

He added that the family would remain 'at the centre' of the investigation and asked for them to be given privacy to grieve.

Sussex Police are appealing for anyone who saw the three women in the Madeira Drive area between 10pm on Tuesday, May 12, and 5.30am on Wednesday, May 13, to come forward.

Anyone with information can contact the force online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Ledmore, serial 438 of 20/05.