No criminal activity suspected after three sisters drowned at sea near Brighton

Police have confirmed that three sisters whose bodies were recovered from the sea off Brighton beach died of drowning after being dropped off nearby by a taxi, police said.

Emergency services were alerted at about 5.45am on May 13 over welfare concerns for an individual, before three bodies were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive.

Sussex Police identified the women as Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, from the Uxbridge area of London.

At an inquest opening in Brighton in May, post-mortem examinations had offered a provisional cause of death as "yet to be ascertained".

On Sunday, Sussex Police said post-mortem examinations had "confirmed all three women died by drowning".

The force stated its investigation into the sisters' deaths has concluded, finding no evidence of third-party involvement or criminality.

During the inquiry, Sussex Police officers, supported by other forces, examined hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, took statements from witnesses across the country and conducted further inquiries to map out their movements prior to their deaths.

The investigation established the women were dropped off by taxi at Madeira Drive at 10.20pm on May 12, with no evidence they visited any nightclubs or businesses in the area that evening.

The sisters entered the water near to where their bodies were recovered the following morning, "wearing everyday clothing".

The force confirmed "there is no evidence the women came to harm by any individuals".

With the police investigation concluded, the inquest will resume to establish the facts of where, when and how the three sisters died.

A May inquest hearing heard Ms Adetoro was brought to shore by an RNLI crew and declared dead by a paramedic at the scene.

Christina Walters was recovered from the sea by an RNLI lifeboat and Rebecca Walters washed onto the shore of Brighton beach. Both were also declared dead by paramedics.

Following the sisters’ deaths, their father Joseph Jacobson said there were days when the grief felt "unbearable", but he held on to memories they shared and "the bond that death can never take away".

Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: "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.

"Our priority throughout has been uncovering the truth for the loved ones of Jane, Rebecca and Christina, because at this incident’s core there has always been a grieving family coming to terms with an unthinkable tragedy and loss.

"Our investigation has been thorough.

"Our 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.

"However, our inquiries have now concluded, pending any new information coming to light.

"Jane, Rebecca and Christina’s tragic deaths sparked a national outpouring of grief, and I would like to thank everyone who supported our investigation by coming forward with information.

"We will now support the coronial process and ask that the sisters’ family continue to be given privacy to come to terms with their loss."