Three sisters found in the sea off Brighton all drowned – and with no evidence of foul play, Sussex Police said today (Sunday 20 September).
But the day before they came to Brighton, they travelled to the lake in Birmingham where their mother Janice Adetoro drowned 16 years earlier, their cousin told the Sunday Times.
Natalie Walters-Daniel told the newspaper that there was a “deeper meaning” to the trip made to Brookvale Park lake, in Brimingham, by her cousins Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31.
Volunteer lifeboat crew from the RNLI recovered the bodies of the older two sisters from the sea while the youngest sister’s body washed ashore on the morning of Wednesday 13 May.
It remains a mystery why the three girls came to Brighton and ended up in the sea at Black Rock, close to Brighton Marina.
Ms Walters-Daniel, 33, said that her cousins never got over the death of their mother in February 2010.
Sussex Police said this afternoon: “The police investigation into the tragic deaths of three women found off Brighton beach in May has concluded, with no evidence found of criminality or third-party involvement.
“At around 5.45am on Wednesday 13 May, emergency services were called to the beach near Black Rock car park to a report of concern for a person in the water.
“On arrival, three bodies were sadly recovered from the sea near by.
“The women were formally identified as three sisters from Uxbridge – Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31.
“Their next of kin were informed, and have been supported by our officers.
“From the moment Jane, Christina and Rebecca’s bodies were discovered, specialist detectives have worked tirelessly to trace their final movements and understand how they came to be in the water that morning.”
Post-mortem tests conducted in May found that all three women died by drowning.
Sussex Police said: “The purpose of the police investigation was to identify any evidence of criminal offending linked to how the sisters came to be in the water or their subsequent deaths.
“We can confirm the thorough police investigation has not found any evidence of a crime being committed or involvement by a third party.
“Now the police investigation has concluded, the matter passes to His Majesty’s Senior Coroner to conduct an inquest.
“The purpose of an inquest is to establish the facts of where, when and how Jane, Christina and Rebecca died.
“In the months since Wednesday 13 May, Sussex Police officers, supported by other forces, have reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV, taken statements from a number of witnesses across the country and conducted other inquiries to establish the women’s movements prior to their deaths.
“The police investigation found all 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 has been found to suggest they visited any night clubs or local businesses in the area at the time.
“Up to the point of that morning’s tragic discovery, there is no evidence the women came to harm by any individuals.
“Based on all of the evidence currently available, our investigation has concluded that all three entered the water near to where their bodies were found and sadly died.
“Additional details such as the sisters’ specific movements prior to their deaths and their potential reasons for entering the water will be considered during HM Coroner’s inquest and it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time.”
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.”
