Coroner hopes inquest will 'stop speculation' over deaths of sisters in sea off Brighton

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Inquest opens for three sisters who died in sea1 hour ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleJoshua Askew ,South EastandHelena Wilkinson ,News correspondentSussex PoliceThe three sisters, seen here with their father as teenagers, died in the seaAn inquest has opened into the deaths of three sisters in the sea off Brighton beach. Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, who were all living together in Greenford, London, died on 13 May in what police called a "terrible tragedy". At the inquest at Brighton & Hove Coroner's Court on Friday, senior coroner Penelope Schofield offered her condolences to their father Joseph, who attended via a remote link.

Addressing him directly she said: "It must be a difficult day for your family. "The loss of your daughters in these tragic circumstances must be unbearable. "An investigation by Sussex Police into how the three came to be in the water is ongoing.

The Details

Officers were satisfied there was no third-party involvement in their deaths, the court heard. The three women's recorded cause of death is yet to be ascertained, the court was also told. Schofield said she hoped the inquest "stops the social media speculation" around how they died.

Charlotte Coney / Getty ImagesSussex Police said it had reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTVThe court heard Adetoro's body was brought by the RNLI to shore, where emergency services were in attendance. She was declared dead at the scene. Christina Walters' body was also recovered from the sea by an RNLI lifeboat.

She was taken to the RNLI lifeboat station at Brighton Marina and pronounced deceased. The body of the younger sister washed ashore near the Black Rock. Their father formally identified their bodies, the court heard.

What Experts Say

Ch Supt Adam Hays had previously said Sussex Police would "leave no stone unturned" in their investigation. The force said it was exploring a "number of lines of inquiry, which include understanding exactly who Jane, Christina and Rebecca were, to help us build a picture of how and why they came to be at the beach that morning". Hundreds of hours of CCTV have been reviewed, while a number of witnesses have been spoken to, it added.

Emergency services were called at about 05:45 BST to a report of a person in the water near Black Rock car park in Madeira Drive. Getty ImagesEmergency services were called to the scene at about 05:45 BST on 13 MayIn a moving tribute, their father previously said "no words can truly describe the pain of losing three daughters in the prime of their lives". He described the three as "my joy, my strength, and the beautiful light that filled our family with happiness and love".

"You were deeply loved, and you will always be deeply missed. "The court was told the occupations of the three women, who were all born in Luton, were unknown. The inquest is set to continue early October.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.