Women who died in sea off Brighton were sisters

Sussex Police / family handout

A father has described feeling "unbearable grief" after his three "beloved" daughters died in the sea off Brighton beach.

The women who died have been named by Sussex Police as Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walter, 32, and Rebecca Walter, 31, from the Uxbridge area of London.

Emergency services were called at about 05:45 BST on 13 May to a report of a person in the water near Black Rock car park in Madeira Drive. Two more bodies were recovered from the sea nearby.

Paying tribute, their father, Joseph, said in a statement: "No words can truly describe the pain of losing three daughters in the prime of their lives."

He continued: "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."

As though speaking to his daughters, Joseph said: "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.

"You were deeply loved, and you will always be deeply missed."

Charlotte Coney / Getty Images

Police said an investigation into how the three came to be in the water was ongoing.

They added: "There is no evidence to suggest third-party involvement or criminality, but specialist detectives are working hard to gather the full facts and circumstances of their deaths."

The women's father said their deaths had "left an emptiness that words cannot heal."

He added: "There are days when the grief feels unbearable, yet I hold tightly to the memories we shared.

"Though you are no longer here beside us, your spirits live on in our hearts every day. Love like yours never dies."

Eddie Mitchell

One line of inquiry explored by police is that the women may have gone into the sea from the beach and then got into difficulty.

It is understood that the women were first spotted at Brighton Palace Pier before drifting towards Brighton Marina.

Sussex Police said it had reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV and made enquiries around the beach area to try to trace the women's last movements. It has also appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

The force said the women's next of kin were being supported by specialist officers "during this incredibly difficult time".

Brighton & Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey previously said it was "the most devastating news" the city had received "for a very long time".

"I can't think of anything more tragic or more horrendous," she told BBC Radio Sussex.

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