Three women whose bodies were recovered from the sea off Brighton beach were three “unique and precious” sisters from London.
Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, were from Uxbridge, Sussex Police said.
Emergency services were called to the beach near Black Rock car park off Madeira Drive at around 5.45am last Wednesday.
The bodies of the women were recovered from the sea near to Brighton Marina.
Their father Joseph on Wednesday released a heartbreaking statement saying: “Today, with a heart full of sorrow and love, I pay tribute to my beloved daughters — Jane, Christina, and Becky — whose lives ended so tragically far too soon.
“No words can truly describe the pain of losing three daughters in the prime of their lives. 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.
“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.
“Jane, your strength and loving spirit will never be forgotten. Christina, your kindness and beautiful heart touched so many lives. Becky, your warmth and joyful soul brought happiness wherever you went. You were deeply loved, and you will always be deeply missed.
“The tragedy of losing all three of you has left an emptiness that words cannot heal. There are days when the grief feels unbearable, yet I hold tightly to the memories we shared — the laughter, the conversations, the love, and the bond that death can never take away.
“Though you are no longer here beside us, your spirits live on in our hearts every day. Love like yours never dies. You will forever remain a part of our lives, our prayers, and our memories.
“Rest peacefully, my precious daughters — Jane, Christina, and Becky. You may be gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.
“Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever remembered.”
Sussex Police said their investigation into how the three sisters came to be in the water is ongoing.
“At this time, 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,” a spokesperson said.
Police have reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV, and carried out enquiries at properties and businesses around the beach area to try and trace the women’s last movements.
Sussex Police previously said the probe includes a “number of hypotheses” about how the women came to be in the water.
Coastguards have said the women may have got into difficulty after stepping off a shingle shelf which descends sharply into deep water.
Shop owners on the seafront said they believed the three young women had been out at a student night. It is understood that police have been taking CCTV from nightclubs.
There were reported to have been rough seas off the coast of the city on the day they died.
Officers are appealing for anyone with any information that could help the investigation to come forward.
Detectives are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the three women around the Madeira Drive area between 10pm on Tuesday (12 May) and 5.30am on the Wednesday (13 May).
Emergency services were called after concerns were raised for the women’s welfare.
A major search-and-rescue operation was launched involving coastguard boats and two helicopters.
Heartfelt tributes have been left at the beach for the three sisters.
A bunch of yellow tulips and white carnations were left at the scene on Thursday.
One tribute at the scene read: “I am so, so sorry. This is such an awful loss and I can't begin to imagine how scared you felt girls.
“My thoughts are with you and I am devastated for your families and friends. I don't know if you were local but this has had a huge effect on us all.”
It added: “You all had so much more to live for. I am so sorry.”
Another tribute read: "[I am] so sorry. [I am] so sad this has happened. Rest in peace, dear angels."
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays, Divisional Commander for Brighton and Hove said: “The thoughts of everyone at Sussex Police are with the family of Jane, Christina and Rebecca following this devastating loss.
“I know this incident has had a profound impact on the local community in Brighton, and across the country and I’d like to reassure the public we will leave no stone unturned in our investigation to understand exactly what led to the tragic events of that Wednesday morning.
“This investigation will continue in earnest, with Jane, Christina and Rebecca’s family at its centre. I would ask that they are given the privacy to come to terms with this terrible tragedy.”
Sussex Police have asked anyone with further information to contact them online or on 101, quoting Operation Ledmore.
