Full Breakdown
Inquest Opens into Deaths of Three Sisters Found on Brighton Beach
5/29/2026, 9:30:56 PM
Tragic Discovery and Immediate Response
On 13 May 2026 at about 05:45 BST, Sussex Police were called to Brighton’s Black Rock car park near Madeira Drive. Jane Veronica Adetoro (36), Christina Walters (32) and Rebecca Walters (31) were recovered from the sea—Adetoro by an RNLI crew, the Walters sisters by lifeboat and as a wash-ashore. All were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth, unidentified man was later found on Rottingdean beach on 29 May, prompting a police cordon.
Investigation Overview
Sussex Police formally identified the sisters on 20 May and have reviewed “hundreds of hours” of CCTV, interviewed witnesses and traced their last movements. A GoFundMe appeal has raised more than £43,000 for funeral costs. Police have stated they are satisfied there is no third-party involvement, but the cause of death remains “yet to be ascertained”.
Official Statements & Responses
Sussex Police said investigations are ongoing and that they are “satisfied there is no third-party involvement.” Senior Coroner Penelope Schofield offered condolences, noting the loss “must be unbearable” and urging the inquest to stop social-media speculation. Chief Superintendent Adam Hays pledged the force “will leave no stone unturned.” Father Joseph Jacobson described his daughters as “my joy, my strength and the beautiful light” that filled his family.
Criticism of Social-Media Speculation
The coroner explicitly warned that unfounded online speculation was inflaming public distress, and she urged the court’s findings to curb such rumors.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All reports list the provisional cause of death as “yet to be ascertained.” The sisters’ occupations remain unknown, and no explanation has been provided for why they travelled to Brighton that morning.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No words can truly describe the pain of losing three daughters in the prime of their lives.” — Joseph Jacobson, Father
- “In a statement released through Sussex police, Jacobson 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.” — Joseph Jacobson
- “It must be a difficult day for your family. The loss of your daughters in these tragic circumstances must be unbearable.” — Penelope Schofield, Senior Coroner
- “will leave no stone unturned” — Adam Hays, Chief Superintendent, Sussex Police
What’s Next
The full inquest will reconvene on 8 October 2026 to seek a definitive cause of death. Police continue to interview witnesses, analyse CCTV and appeal for information through Operation Ledmore, urging anyone who saw the sisters near Madeira Drive between 22:00 12 May and 05:30 13 May to contact authorities.
