Three sisters, Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, have tragically taken their own lives near Brighton, England, according to a recent ruling by a coroner. Their bodies were recovered from the sea on 13 May, following emergency services’ response to calls concerning their welfare early that morning.
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Senior coroner Penelope Schofield, who conducted the inquest at Woodvale Coroner’s Court, revealed that the sisters had entered the treacherous waters shortly before dawn. Notably, neither of them could swim, and conditions at sea were unfavourable on that day. “In hours of darkness, they entered the sea at Brighton,” Schofield stated, highlighting the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Prior to their tragic end, Christina Walters had conducted online searches related to suicide, with police later confirming that her computer contained multiple references to both water and suicide. Reports indicate that there were 227 mentions of water and 179 references to suicide in her search history, which raised significant concerns regarding the sisters’ mental wellbeing.
An autopsy confirmed that the three women had drowned, with no indications of violence present. Toxicology reports indicated the absence of drugs or alcohol in their systems, leading the coroner to conclude that the deaths were intentional. Two days before their passing, the sisters made a trip to Birmingham, visiting near the spot where their mother, Janice Adetoro, had died in 2010. This visit suggests a deep-seated connection to their family’s past tragedies.
Following their journey to Birmingham, the sisters returned to their shared residence in London before taking a pre-ordered taxi to Brighton, arriving late in the evening. Reflecting on their private lives, Coroner Schofield noted the sisters lived in relative seclusion, which has left many questioning their motivations and the reasons for choosing to end their lives in Brighton.
Christina Walters, in particular, had apparently been grappling with depression and anxiety following their mother’s death. Despite these struggles, their mother had not registered with a medical professional for assistance, which might have contributed to the family’s tragic trajectory.
During the inquest, their father, Joseph Adetoro, participated via video link and expressed profound grief over the loss of his daughters. In a written tribute, he described the pain of losing Jane, Christina, and Rebecca as “a heartbreak beyond anything I could ever have imagined.” He poignantly conveyed that they were not just daughters, but also sources of joy and strength in their family. “You were deeply loved, and you will always be deeply missed,” he added, underscoring the enormity of his loss.
The coroner’s findings have brought further attention to the struggles of mental health within families, illuminating the importance of support systems for those experiencing emotional distress. Joseph expressed hope that memories of laughter and love would remain, despite the overwhelming sorrow that came with their passing.
The West Sussex, Brighton and Hove Coroner Service has yet to provide additional information about the ongoing investigations or any support services in the wake of this tragedy. The community has been left to grapple with the loss and to reflect on the signs of distress that may often go unnoticed, further emphasising the need for open discussions about mental health.
In light of such incidents, authorities urge anyone grappling with mental health issues to seek help. Services are available for individuals in crisis, encouraging those in need to reach out for support in order to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.