Sussex Police found no evidence of crime or third-party involvement in the deaths of three sisters found off Brighton beach in May. The inquest comes next.
The police investigation into the deaths of three sisters found off Brighton beach in May has concluded, with no evidence found of criminality or third-party involvement. Sussex Police announced the conclusion on Sunday afternoon (Sussex Police statement, 20 September 2026). The case now passes to His Majesty’s Senior Coroner for an inquest.
The women were formally identified as three sisters from Uxbridge: Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31. Emergency services were called to the beach near the Black Rock car park at around 5.45am on Wednesday 13 May, to a report of concern for a person in the water. Three bodies were recovered from the sea nearby.
A post-mortem conducted in May confirmed all three women died by drowning.
What the investigation established
The force says its purpose was to identify any evidence of criminal offending linked to how the sisters came to be in the water or their deaths. Its published findings:
- the three women were dropped off by taxi at Madeira Drive at 10.20pm on Tuesday 12 May
- their bodies were found at around 5.45am the following morning, wearing everyday clothing
- no evidence was found to suggest they visited any nightclubs or local businesses in the area at the time
- there is no evidence the women came to harm by any individuals
- the investigation concluded that all three entered the water near to where their bodies were found
To get there, officers reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV and took statements from witnesses across the country. Other forces supported the work.
The force will not say more about the sisters’ movements before their deaths, or why they may have entered the water. In its statement it says those questions “will be considered during HM Coroner’s inquest, and it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time”.
“At this incident’s core there has always been a grieving family”
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays acknowledged the scale of public attention on the case. “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,” he said.
“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.”
He also addressed a concern raised directly with the force: “Our extensive enquiries 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.”
The enquiries have concluded “pending any new information coming to light”, he said, thanking everyone who came 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.”
What happens next
The matter now passes to His Majesty’s Senior Coroner. An inquest is a public court hearing, but it is not a trial: its purpose, as the force’s statement puts it, is “to establish the facts of where, when and how” the three women died. No date has been announced.
What it means for you
- The police investigation is closed, not sealed. The force says its enquiries are concluded pending any new information. Anyone with information can still contact Sussex Police on 101 or through its website.
- The unanswered questions go to the inquest. The sisters’ specific movements before their deaths, and any reasons for entering the water, are for the coroner to consider. We will report the inquest’s findings when it concludes.
- The family has asked for privacy, through the force’s statement, and we will not speculate beyond what the record says.
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