Three sisters who drowned off Brighton beach took their own lives, coroner rules

Three sisters who were discovered dead at the sea in Brighton took their own lives, an inquest has found.

The bodies of Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32 and Rebecca Walters, 31, were pulled from the water after a member of the public raised the alarm at around 5.45am on 13 May.

An inquest found that the sisters took their lives the day after they visited the lake where their mother took her own life in 2010.

Emergency services were called to the beach on 13 May after concerns were raised about a person spotted in the water near Madeira Drive at around 5.45am. The bodies of the three sisters were later recovered from the sea.

The inquest heard that they arrived at Linton Walk, Birmingham, near to Brookvale Park Lake, at 11.36pm on May 11 and were picked up to return to the flat they lived in together in Greenford, west London, at 1.28am on May 12.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cullimore told the hearing at Woodvale Coroner’s Court in Brighton that there was no CCTV to see what the women had been doing in the time they were in Birmingham.

On the evening of May 12, they took a pre-booked taxi to Brighton and arrived near the seafront at 10.21pm.

They are thought to have last been seen alive on CCTV from the beach at 2.42am on May 13.

Ms Adetoro was brought to shore by an RNLI crew and declared dead at the scene on the morning of May 13, the inquest heard.

Christina Walters was recovered from the sea by an RNLI lifeboat, and Rebecca Walters was washed on to the shore of Brighton beach. They were also pronounced dead that morning by paramedics.

Concluding the inquest into their deaths, senior coroner Penelope Schofield told the court on Thursday: “On May 13, in hours of darkness, they entered the sea at Brighton, they could not swim and sea conditions were adverse.”

She concluded the medical cause of death for all three women was drowning and that they died by suicide.

In a statement in May, grieving father Joseph Jacobson said there are days when the grief feels “unbearable” but he holds onto the memories they shared and “the bond that death can never take away”.

Paying tribute to his daughters as his joy and strength and “the beautiful light that filled our family with happiness and love”, he added: “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.”

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branchIf you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you