The drowning of three sisters in Brighton has been ruled as suicide by a coroner, following an inquest into the tragic deaths of Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31. The sisters, all from London, were recovered from the sea off Brighton in the early hours of 13 May. The inquest at Woodvale Coroner's Court in Brighton heard that the women had collectively decided to end their own lives.
The Inquest Findings
Senior coroner Penelope Schofield concluded that the sisters died by suicide. The inquest revealed that in the days before their deaths, the three women made a trip together to Birmingham to visit the former home of their mother, Janice Adetoro, who died by drowning in 2010. The sisters travelled by taxi to Birmingham on 11 May and were dropped off at Linton Walk at 11:36 pm. This address is close to Brookvale Park Lake, where their mother died. They were picked up to return to their flat in Greenford, west London, at 1:28 am on 12 May.
Events Leading to the Tragedy
On the evening of 12 May, the sisters took a pre-booked taxi to Brighton and arrived near the seafront at 10:21 pm. They are thought to have last been seen alive on CCTV from the beach at 2:42 am on 13 May. The bodies of Jane Adetoro and Christina Walters were located by an RNLI lifeboat crew; Rebecca Walters' body was recovered from the shoreline on Brighton beach. DCI Mark Cullimore of Sussex Police told the hearing there was no CCTV to show what the women did during their time in Birmingham.
Understanding the Coroner's Verdict
The coroner's ruling of suicide indicates that the sisters intentionally took their own lives. This conclusion was reached after considering all the evidence, including the sisters' actions in the days leading up to their deaths. The visit to their mother's memorial site suggests a deliberate pilgrimage before their final act.
Key Takeaways from the Inquest
- The three sisters drowned in Brighton on 13 May.
- An inquest ruled their deaths as suicide.
- They visited their mother's former home in Birmingham days before.
- Their mother had also died by drowning in 2010.
- The sisters were last seen on CCTV at 2:42 am on 13 May.
Comparison of Similar Cases
Cases involving multiple family members ending their lives together are rare but not unheard of. The table below compares key aspects of this case with general statistics on suicide pacts.
| Aspect | This Case | General Suicide Pacts |
|---|---|---|
| Number of individuals | 3 sisters | Typically 2 |
| Method | Drowning | Various (e.g., poisoning, hanging) |
| Prior family history | Mother died by drowning | Often history of mental illness |
| Location | Brighton, UK | Global |
FAQ
What did the coroner rule in the Brighton sisters' case?
The coroner ruled that the three sisters died by suicide.
The senior coroner, Penelope Schofield, concluded that the sisters collectively decided to end their own lives.
Where were the sisters from?
They were from London.
Jane Adetoro, Christina Walters, and Rebecca Walters lived together in Greenford, west London.
What happened to their mother?
Their mother died by drowning in 2010.
Janice Adetoro died at Brookvale Park Lake in Birmingham, and the sisters visited that area before their deaths.