The mysterious circumstances surrounding the deaths of three sisters, whose bodies were discovered off Brighton beach, were highlighted in an inquest today. Their father, Joseph Jacobsen, was described as bearing an “unbearable” burden as the cause of their deaths remains unknown.
The tragic incident involved Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, who were found in the water on May 13 but unfortunately could not be rescued. The coroner, Penelope Schofield, presided over the inquest at Brighton Coroner’s Court, where it was revealed that an RNLI lifeboat recovered two of the bodies, while another was washed ashore.
Although the specific cause of the deaths is still undetermined, authorities have ruled out any external involvement. The sisters were positively identified by their father, Joseph Jacobsen, who expressed profound sorrow over the loss of his daughters.
During the proceedings, the coroner acknowledged the immense difficulty faced by Joseph Jacobsen and emphasized the ongoing police investigation to dispel any unwarranted speculation on social media. The inquest was adjourned until October 8 to consolidate the investigations into all three deaths.
In a previous statement, Joseph Jacobsen paid tribute to his daughters, describing the irreplaceable void left by their untimely passing. He expressed deep sentiments, reflecting on the profound impact his daughters had on his life and family.
The family has faced previous tragedies, including the loss of Janice Adetoro, the mother of the sisters, who died from drowning in 2010. Janice’s brother and mother made public appeals when she went missing, eventually leading to the discovery of her body in a lake.
Relatives of the sisters disclosed that they were not aware of their trip to Brighton on the day of the incident, prompting speculation on whether they were commemorating their late mother. Described as inseparable sisters and best friends, the women were remembered for their happiness and strong bond.
Sussex Police continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the sisters being in the water, with assurances from Ch Supt Adam Hays that no stone will be left unturned. The bodies were recovered near Brighton Marina following reports of a person in distress near Black Rock.
Sian Berry, MP for Brighton Pavilion, commended the city’s response to the tragedy, noting the community’s compassion despite limited knowledge of the sisters’ background.