Brighton sisters tragedy inquest hears no third party involvement in deaths

The cause of deaths of three sisters whose bodies were found off Brighton beach remains unknown, an inquest heard today as their father was told the experience must be "unbearable". Earlier this month, the popular beach saw a huge 999 response with lifeboats, coastguard and a helicopter deployed in a frantic search. Sussex Police confirmed it had been called to reports of a concern for welfare relating to someone in the water at around 5.45am on May 13. Sadly, emergency services recovered three bodies from the water, near Madeira Drive. The victims were later identified as three sisters Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31. The force were able to identify the girls after a key fob traced them back to their Uxbridge flat in London. The authorities said it was unclear how the women came into difficulty into the water but were located near to where they believe they entered the sea. An inquest opening into their deaths opened today (May 29) at Brighton and Hove Coroner's Court, with coroner Penelope Schofield opening the hearing at 10.05am. Schofield told the court: “The courtroom is very full and a large number of people are online. The family are attending online.” The court heard that Jane’s body was brought to shore before she was declared dead at the scene. An RNLI lifeboat later brought two more bodies ashore, while another body washed up on the shoreline. The coroner’s officer, Victoria Foreman, confirmed the deaths of all three women. She named them as Jane Veronica Adetoro, Christina Walters and Rebecca Walters. Foreman said all three had been identified by their father, Joseph Jacobson. The hearing was told all three deaths had been investigated by police, who were satisfied there was “no third party involvement” in any of them. Despite all three women being found in the water, none of the deaths have been confirmed as drownings. Their causes of death were all recorded as “yet to be ascertained”. The inquest also heard that their father, Joseph, formally identified all of the bodies. Schofield said she was “formally opening the inquest” before adjourning proceedings until October 8. She added: “All three inquests will be heard together.” Addressing Joseph directly, Schofield said: “I appreciate today is very difficult for you and unbearable.” She added that the police investigation was ongoing and said she hoped the hearing would “stop the social media speculation over their deaths.” Previously, their heartbroken family said the three sisters were quiet, describing them as close-knit "best friends who did everything together". They said the women did not drink alcohol or smoke, and ruled out the "conspiracy theory" that they had been clubbing before the tragedy. The family say they have been reflecting on whether Jane, Christina and Rebecca were in Brighton to mark the memory of their late mother, who died by drowning in Birmingham 16 years ago. Ajike Adetoro, the women's aunt, told The Times: "We are not speculating, but the girls were totally happy in the weeks and months before it happened and it was totally unexpected. "They were happy girls. They'd moved out of their dad's house two years ago but would message at least twice a day." Their father, Joseph Adetoro, paid tribute to his daughters who "filled our family with happiness and love". “No words can truly describe the pain of losing three daughters in the prime of their lives," he said. "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."