A senior coroner has concluded that three sisters found in the sea off Brighton earlier this year died by . Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, were recovered from the water on the morning of May 13 after a cyclist alerted emergency services.
The inquest at Woodvale Coroner’s Court heard that the sisters, who lived together in Greenford, west London, traveled to Brighton by taxi on the evening of May 12. Senior coroner Penelope Schofield stated that the women entered the sea during the night under adverse conditions. Post-mortem examinations confirmed the cause of death for all three was drowning, with no evidence of drugs, alcohol, or third-party involvement.
Inquest Findings and Final Movements
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cullimore detailed the events leading to the tragedy. Investigations revealed that the sisters had traveled to Birmingham on May 11, visiting an area near where their mother-who also died by drowning in 2010-had previously lived. They returned to their London home before departing for Brighton the following day.
CCTV footage captured the women pacing the Brighton seafront throughout the night, with their final confirmed sighting at 2:42 am on May 13. Police financial inquiries indicated that the sisters had cleared their bank accounts in the days before their deaths. Additionally, searches on electronic devices belonging to Christina Walters showed repeated inquiries regarding water.
A Family’s Loss
The sisters’ father, Joseph Jacobson, provided a statement via video link. He described his daughters as intelligent and beautiful, stating that he struggled to understand why their lives ended so abruptly. He expressed hope that they had been reunited with their mother.
Coroner Penelope Schofield noted the private and secluded nature of the sisters’ lives, stating that the specific reasons for their actions may never be fully understood. She emphasized that it was not the role of the court to speculate on the underlying motivations for their final decisions.
Support Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or emotional distress, help is available:
- Samaritans: Call 116 123 for free, 24/7 support.
- NHS 111: Dial 111 for urgent mental health advice.
- Local GP: Contact your primary care provider to discuss mental health concerns.
