Mystery deepens as cause of death for triplets found in sea off Brighton beach still unknown

The cause of death for the triplets found in the sea off Brighton Beach is still "yet to be ascertained", an inquest has heard.

The three bodies were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive at around 5.45am on May 13.

Emergency services were initially scrambled to the seafront following reports of a person in trouble in the water.

Sisters Jane Abettor, 36, Christina Walter, 32, and Rebecca Walter, 31, were named by Sussex Police as the three women who tragically died.

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They were from the Uxbridge area of London, the force revealed.

Police were understood to be exploring multiple lines of enquiry.

An inquest opened at Woodvale in Brighton today heard post-mortem examinations had offered a provisional cause of death as "yet to be ascertained".

Senior coroner Penelope Schofield offered her condolences to the woman’s father, Joseph Jacobson, for his "unbearable" loss.

Ms Adetoro and Ms Walters were recovered from the sea by an RNLI crew, while Ms Walters was washed onto the shore of Brighton beach.

All three were declared dead by a paramedic at the scene.

The inquest heard "medical investigations are ongoing to finalise the cause of death" for all three women

Police are satisfied there was no third-party involvement.

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All three sisters lived together in Greenford, west London, the inquest heard.

The coroner said she hoped the details from the hearing would "stop social media speculation" around the circumstances of their deaths, and adjourned the inquest to be heard on October 8.

Following their deaths, their father, Mr Jacobson, said there are days when the grief feels "unbearable", but he holds on to the memories they shared and "the bond that death can never take away".

In a statement released through Sussex Police, he said: "Jane, Christina and Becky were more than daughters to me; they were my joy, my strength, and the beautiful light that filled our family with happiness and love."

They added: "Each of you was unique and precious in your own special way. Your smiles brightened dark days, your laughter brought comfort, and your presence made life more meaningful. Though your time on earth was short, the impact you made will remain in our hearts forever."

The family have raised nearly £44,000 for funeral costs.

The three sisters' mother, Janice Adetoro, died in 2010, after she walked into a lake in Birmingham.

Her body was not recovered for several months because of the weather conditions at the time.

Ajike Johnson, the sisters' aunt, said her sister-in-law's death "traumatised the girls" and they "never recovered".

Sussex Police said there is no evidence to suggest criminality or that anyone else was involved in the incident.

Chief Superintendent Adam Hays has said the force "will leave no stone unturned" in its investigation into what led to the "tragic events of that Wednesday morning".

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