Key Points
- Sussex Police have stated that the cause of death of three sisters, Jane Adetoro aged 36, Christina Walters aged 32, and Rebecca Walters aged 31 from Uxbridge, west London was drownings after conducting post-mortem examinations.
- The police inquiry into the incident has officially been concluded and no criminal activity, foul play or third-party involvement in their death has been established during the inquiry.
- Through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and witness statements, the inquiry has discovered that the three sisters were dropped off by a taxi at Madeira Drive, Brighton at 10.20pm on the 12th of May wearing everyday clothes.
- Authorities found no signs that the women had visited any nightclubs or businesses on the night that they arrived there.
- The bodies of the three women were removed from the water near Madeira Drive on the morning of May 13 after a welfare concern had been raised at around 5.45 am.
- According to Chief Superintendent Adam Hays, the investigation was carried out extensively because of the concerns expressed by the Black community about deaths involving Black people in water.
- After concluding the police inquiry, the inquest into the death of the three sisters will continue.
uk/local/hillingdon/uxbridge/">Uxbridge (West London Times)— September 21, 2026 — Sussex Police announced that post-mortem examinations have officially confirmed that three sisters recovered from the sea off Brighton beach died of drowning. As reported by Clara Margotin of MyLondon, the police investigation into the tragic incident has formally concluded, with authorities stating there is no evidence of criminality, third-party involvement, or foul play.
The victims were identified by Sussex Police as Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, all hailing from the Uxbridge area of west London. Emergency services had rushed to the coastline after concerns were raised for a person’s welfare at around 5.45am on May 13, subsequently pulling three bodies from the water near Madeira Drive. An initial inquest opened in Brighton in May had left the provisional cause of death undetermined, noting that post-mortem results were pending.
How Did the Sisters Spend Their Final Hours Prior to the Tragedy?
As detailed in the official police findings, officers supported by multiple regional forces reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, gathered statements from nationwide witnesses, and completed extensive timeline tracking.
The investigation discovered that a taxi dropped the three women off at Madeira Drive at 10.20pm on May 12. Authorities confirmed there was no evidence suggesting the sisters visited any local businesses or nightclubs that evening. Instead, investigators found they entered the water near where their bodies were subsequently recovered the following morning while still wearing everyday clothing.
As reported by The Guardian, a police spokesperson stated:
“The purpose of the police investigation was to identify any evidence of criminal offending linked to how the sisters came to be in the water or their subsequent deaths. We can confirm the thorough police investigation has not found any evidence of a crime being committed or involvement by a third party.”
What Were the Circumstances of the Recovery and the Response from Officials?
During the initial emergency response on May 13, Ms Adetoro was brought ashore by an RNLI crew and declared dead at the scene by a paramedic. Christina Walters was recovered directly from the sea by an RNLI lifeboat, while Rebecca Walters was washed ashore onto Brighton beach. Paramedics formally pronounced both Christina and Rebecca dead at the location.
Reflecting on the emotional sensitivity of the case, Chief Superintendent Adam Hays remarked, as covered by MyLondon: “From the outset of this complex and challenging investigation, we have been acutely aware of the speculation surrounding this incident, the public’s unanswered questions and their desire for answers.”
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays added, as noted by The Independent and The Guardian, that the inquiry intentionally factored in wider community anxiety. He stated that their extensive inquiries
“intentionally considered concerns raised by black communities surrounding the deaths of black people in or near bodies of water, as we worked to understand who the three women were, and the factors that could have led to them being found on the beach that morning.”
How Has the Family Responded to the Loss?
The tragedy prompted a profound national outpouring of grief. Following the loss of his daughters, the sisters’ father, Joseph Jacobson, shared a moving tribute released through Sussex Police, describing the deep void left in their family.
As documented by The Guardian, Mr Jacobson stated:
“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. 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.”
Public support has also manifested significantly online; a GoFundMe fundraiser established to assist with the sisters’ funeral expenses gathered more than 2,200 public donations totaling close to £46,000.
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Background of the Particular Development
The conclusion of the Sussex Police investigation marks a critical milestone in a case that commanded intense public scrutiny and emotional resonance across the United Kingdom since May 2026. Initially, the sudden recovery of three adult siblings from the sea under unexplained early-morning conditions generated widespread local anxiety and national media attention.
Because historical disparities and community concerns regarding the investigation of deaths of Black individuals in aquatic environments have often fueled public skepticism toward emergency responses, police leadership explicitly opted for a transparent, cross-jurisdictional review. With the criminal investigation now finished and third-party involvement definitively ruled out, the legal focus shifts entirely back to the East Sussex coroner’s office to formally examine the precise sequence of events leading up to the drowning during the upcoming resumed inquest.
How This Development Can Affect the Public and Local Communities
The finalisation of the police report and the elimination of criminal foul play will likely bring a degree of procedural closure to the public discourse, shifting community focus toward water safety awareness and mental health support structures. For local communities, particularly minority groups who closely followed the transparency of the investigation, the explicit acknowledgement by Sussex Police of community-specific concerns sets an important precedent for future public safety inquiries.
However, the upcoming coroner’s inquest will continue to draw intense public interest as authorities attempt to piece together the exact psychological and environmental factors that led the sisters into the water, potentially sparking broader conversations regarding coastal safety measures and nighttime support along the Brighton shoreline.
