BRIGHTON, England, October 8, 2026 â Three sisters found dead in the sea off Brighton Beach died by suicide, a coroner has ruled, revealing new details about their final journey, a family tragedy dating back 16 years and the investigation into their deaths.
Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, were recovered from the water near Brighton’s Black Rock area on May 13. Senior Coroner Penelope Schofield recorded suicide conclusions at Woodvale Coroner’s Court on Thursday, confirming drowning as the medical cause of death.
The ruling follows months of police inquiries into the deaths, which attracted widespread attention and raised questions about how the three women came to enter the sea together.
Brighton Sisters’ Final Journey Revealed at Inquest
The sisters, who shared a home in Greenford, west London, travelled to Birmingham shortly before their deaths.
Taxi records showed they arrived at Linton Walk in Birmingham at approximately 11:36 p.m. on May 11, close to Brookvale Park Lake, where their mother, Janice Adetoro, had died by drowning in 2010.
They were collected for their return journey to London at around 1:28 a.m. on May 12.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cullimore told the hearing that investigators could not establish exactly what the sisters did in Birmingham because CCTV evidence was unavailable for that period.
Later on May 12, the women travelled to Brighton in a pre-booked taxi, arriving near Madeira Drive at approximately 10:20 p.m.
CCTV subsequently recorded the sisters on Brighton Beach at around 2:42 a.m. on May 13.
Emergency Services Called to Black Rock Beach
At approximately 5:45 a.m. on May 13, emergency services received a report of someone in the water near Black Rock car park.
Rescue crews recovered the three women, who were pronounced dead at the scene.
The inquest heard that the sisters could not swim and that sea conditions were adverse at the time.
Investigators examined CCTV footage, taxi journeys and the women’s personal circumstances to reconstruct their movements before the tragedy.
Coroner Examines Evidence and Family History
The hearing considered evidence about the sisters’ lives, including preparations made before their deaths and the condition of their shared home.
Reports of the proceedings described financial arrangements and evidence that the flat had been cleared and cleaned.
The court also heard about Christina’s previous experiences of anxiety and depression. That evidence should not be taken to mean all three sisters had identical mental health circumstances.
The sisters’ mother, Janice Adetoro, died in Birmingham in 2010. Their visit to the area near Brookvale Park Lake formed part of the inquest evidence, although the precise purpose of that journey was not established.
The coroner’s ruling confirms the circumstances of their deaths but does not establish every personal factor behind their decisions.
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Sussex Police Rule Out Criminal Involvement
Sussex Police concluded its investigation on September 20, finding no evidence that a crime had been committed or that another person was involved.
Detectives reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV, obtained witness accounts and examined the sisters’ movements between London, Birmingham and Brighton.
Officers also found no evidence that the women visited local nightclubs or other businesses after arriving at the seafront.
In its official investigation statement, Sussex Police said the available evidence indicated that all three entered the water near where they were subsequently discovered.
The police findings addressed concerns about possible criminal involvement, while the October 8 inquest formally established how the women died.
The case also illustrates the importance of distinguishing confirmed police findings from early speculation. Other investigations, including the RAF Fairford major incident and subsequent arrests, have similarly required authorities to establish facts before releasing further details, although the circumstances are unrelated.
Remembering the Brighton Sisters: Their Lives and Family Background
Jane, the eldest sister, was 36 and worked as an accountant. Christina, 32, also worked in accountancy, while Rebecca, 31, worked in human resources.
The women lived together in Greenford and were described by relatives as intelligent, accomplished and closely bonded.
Their father, Joseph Jacobson, paid an emotional tribute to his daughters, remembering their individual personalities and the happiness they brought to their family.
Relatives and friends also shared photographs and memories of the sisters during happier times.
October 8 Inquest Brings Official Findings
The coroner’s conclusions provide an official account nearly five months after the sisters were found dead.
Although the evidence established suicide as the manner of death, the precise motivations of each woman cannot be fully determined from the public findings.
The distinction between initial reports and subsequent official findings also matters in other investigations. In a separate case, the Newtown stabbing near Dendy Cinema and police response attracted attention as authorities examined the circumstances of the incident.
For the family, the Brighton hearing marks an important stage in understanding the circumstances of a devastating loss.
Anyone affected by this report can contact Samaritans in the UK free on 116 123, available 24 hours a day.
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