Authorities have identified the three women whose bodies washed ashore near Brighton as sisters Jane Adetoro, aged 36, and Christina and Rebecca Walter, both aged 32 and 31 respectively. The tragic discovery occurred at approximately 5:45 AM on Wednesday, May 13, prompting emergency responses at the Black Rock beach area, situated off Madeira Drive.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Jane-Adetoro-Joseph-Christina-Walters-Rebecca-Walters-052526-86fdbe807fb0413d9b446f806c7f332c.jpg)

This heart-wrenching incident has drawn attention not only to the untimely deaths of the sisters but also to a tragic loss in their family history. A source close to the family revealed that the sisters had never really recovered emotionally after their mother, Janice Adetoro, drowned in a lake in 2010. Their mother was reported missing in January of that year and was later found dead in Brookvale Lake, Birmingham, a few weeks later.

Joseph Adetoro, the sisters’ father, has publicly expressed his devastation over the loss of his daughters. He shared a poignant tribute through Sussex Police, reflecting on the deep pain of mourning three children simultaneously. In a statement, he described Jane, Christina, and Rebecca as “the joy, strength, and beautiful light” of his family. “No words can truly describe the pain of losing three daughters in the prime of their lives,” he stated.
The sisters’ aunt, Ajike Johnson, further emphasised the tragedy of their situation. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she highlighted the profound effect their mother’s death had on the siblings. “It traumatised the girls,” she said, noting that they had been adjusting to life with their father and stepmother, Genevieve Barnaby-Adetoro, after the loss. “They were living in the Midlands with their mother prior to that, and they had to pick up the pieces afterward.”
Johnson added that the sisters had maintained a close bond, insisting they were “the closest sisters and best friends.” In the months leading up to their tragic deaths, she reported they appeared to be happy and had not shown any signs of distress. “These girls would not drink alcohol or smoke. They never went clubbing and didn’t even have social media. They were their father’s world,” she explained, voicing concern for Joseph, who now has to handle the funeral arrangements for all three daughters.
The investigation into their deaths is still active, with police stating there is currently “no evidence to suggest third-party involvement or criminality.” Authorities have reassured the public that specialist detectives are diligently gathering facts regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident. However, further details regarding the investigation have yet to be made available.
Reflecting on how they lost their mother, Joseph Adetoro reinforced that the circumstances of his daughters’ deaths were unexpected, underlining that they had not displayed typical behaviours that might have indicated a serious decline in mental health or wellbeing. “They were happy girls,” he remarked.
As the community mourns this significant loss, the family is left grappling with an unimaginable burden. The sisters’ father poignantly concluded his statement with a message of love and remembrance: “Though you are no longer here beside us, your spirits live on in our hearts every day. Love like yours never dies.”
This tragic case sheds light not only on the loss faced by one family but also raises questions about mental health and support systems for those grieving in the aftermath of such devastating events. The complex emotions tied to the sisters’ history underscore the long-lasting impact of grief and the importance of community support in times of profound sorrow.
