A heartbroken father has spoken of his “unbearable grief” after his three daughters were found dead in the sea off Brighton beach in a tragedy that has shocked the country.
The women, formally identified by Sussex Police as Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walter, 32, and Rebecca Walter, 31, were from the Uxbridge area of London.
Emergency services were called to the seafront near Black Rock car park on Madeira Drive at about 5.45am on May 13 after reports of a person in the water. On arrival, two more bodies were recovered nearby.
Their devastated father, Joseph, described the loss as the pain of “losing three daughters in the prime of their lives”.
In an emotional tribute released through 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.”
He added: “No words can truly describe the pain of losing three daughters in the prime of their lives.”
Speaking directly to his daughters, Joseph said each of them was “unique and precious” and remembered how their smiles brightened dark days and their laughter brought comfort to others.
“Though your time on earth was short, the impact you made will remain in our hearts forever,” he said. “You were deeply loved and you will always be deeply missed.”
Their father said the tragedy had left an emptiness “that words cannot heal”.
“There are days when the grief feels unbearable, yet I hold tightly to the memories we shared,” he added. “Though you are no longer here beside us, your spirits live on in our hearts every day. Love like yours never die.”
Police confirmed that investigations into how the sisters came to be in the water are continuing. Detectives said there was currently no evidence of third party involvement or criminal activity, but inquiries remain ongoing as officers work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays, divisional commander for Brighton and Hove, said the force’s thoughts remained with the family during what he described as a devastating loss.
“This investigation will continue in earnest, with Jane, Christina and Rebecca’s family at its centre,” he said. “I would ask that they are given the privacy to come to terms with this terrible tragedy.”
Officers have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward, particularly those who may have seen the three women in the Madeira Drive area between 10pm on May 12 and 5.30am the following morning.
The tragedy has also deeply affected the local community in Brighton.
Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, described the incident as “the most devastating news” the city had received “for a very long time”.
“I cannot think of anything more tragic or more horrendous,” she told local radio.
