A fundraising appeal has been launched following the deaths of three sisters whose bodies were recovered from the sea off Brighton beach, aiming to give them "the loving and dignified farewell they deserve."
Sisters Identified
Emergency services were called at around 5:45 am on May 13 after concerns were raised for a person's welfare. Three bodies were subsequently pulled from the water near Madeira Drive. Sussex Police have named the women as Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, all from the Uxbridge area of London.
Family's Grief
In a statement released on Wednesday, their father Joseph described the grief as "unbearable" at times but said he holds onto the memories they shared and "the bond that death can never take away." A GoFundMe page has been established with a target of £18,000 to cover funeral expenses. The organizer, Adesoji Adetoro, stated on behalf of Joseph and the family that they are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
"No parent should ever have to bury their child, let alone all three," Adesoji wrote. "While trying to process this unimaginable tragedy, my brother is now also faced with the heartbreaking task of arranging three funerals. As a family, we simply want to give the girls the loving and dignified farewell they deserve."
Since the fundraiser was launched, more than £3,000 has been donated. Joseph paid tribute to his daughters as his joy and strength, describing them as "the beautiful light that filled our family with happiness and love."
Police Investigation
Sussex Police have stated there is no evidence to suggest criminality or that anyone else was involved, but specialist detectives are working to gather the full facts and circumstances surrounding the deaths. Hundreds of hours of CCTV footage have been reviewed, and inquiries have been made to businesses and properties around the beach area to track the women's last movements.
Anyone with information is urged to come forward, particularly those who saw the sisters around Madeira Drive between 10 pm on May 12 and 5:30 am on May 13. Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said the force "will leave no stone unturned" in the investigation to understand what led to the "tragic events of that Wednesday morning."
Community Reaction
Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey expressed her condolences, saying that learning the women were sisters "makes this troubling situation even more heartbreaking." She added, "My heart goes out to their family and their friends. Their grief and suffering must feel overwhelming; I hope that they have support in this worst of times. Brighton & Hove is grieving too, and I would like to again send them our deepest condolences, and our love."
