Dad describes sisters' deaths as 'unbearable' as family gathers for funeral

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Dad describes sisters' deaths as 'unbearable' as family gathers for funeralImage source, Sussex PoliceImage caption, The three sisters, seen here with their father as teenagers, died in the sea. Jane Adetoro, Joseph Jacobson, Christina Walters and Rebecca Walters (left to right)ByChristian FullerSouth EastPublished29 June 2026, 13:52 BSTUpdated 22 minutes agoThe father of three sisters who died in the sea off Brighton has described the pain of losing his daughters as "unbearable". Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, died in what police described as a "tragic incident" on 13 May.

At their funeral in north-west London, their father Joseph Jacobson wrote in the order of service: "You were more than my daughters: you were my joy, my strength and the beautiful light that filled my life with love. "Meanwhile, their remaining sister, Lilian, wrote: "We were four, and now l am one. "An inquest has been opened into their deaths and an investigation by Sussex Police into how the three came to be in the water is ongoing.

The Details

Image source, SuppliedImage caption, The funeral has been held for the three sisters who died in the sea off the coast of Brighton In the order of service, their father wrote: "No words can truly describe the pain of losing three daughters in the prime of their lives. "There are moments when it feels unbearable, but I hold tightly to the memories we shared, the love we knew and the bond that nothing can ever take away. "Jane, I will never forget your strength.

Tina, your kindness touched so many lives. Becky, your warmth and joyful spirit brought happiness wherever you went. "Though I can no longer see you, I carry you in my heart every day.

"'Accomplished so much'Speaking at the funeral on behalf of the family, their cousin, Natalie Walters-Daniel, said: "Your lives will never be forgotten, and your memory will live on forever. "Together they accomplished so much. "They pursued their education, they built careers, they created lives that reflected the values their parents instilled in them.

What Experts Say

"Adetoro was a senior accountant, Christina Walters was a junior accountant, and Rebecca Walters was a HR administrator, she said. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Emergency services were called to the scene at about 05:45 BST on 13 MayAt the inquest at Brighton & Hove Coroner's Court on 29 May, senior coroner Penelope Schofield said she hoped the inquest into their deaths, the causes of which are still to be ascertained, "stops the social media speculation" around how they died. Police said officers were satisfied there was no third-party involvement in their deaths.

The court heard that Adetoro's body was brought to shore by the RNLI and 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 where she was also pronounced dead.

The body of the younger sister washed ashore near the Black Rock.

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