Family of three sisters who died off Brighton beach issue emotional update as GoFundMe hits £40k

The family of the three women whose bodies were recovered near Brighton beach have said they are facing 'many heartbreaking weeks ahead' as they issued a new update.

Sussex Police identified the women as sisters Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walter, 32, and Rebecca Walter, 31, a week after their bodies were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive on 13 May.

Their father Joseph said on Wednesday that while the grief feels 'unbearable', they have a 'bond that death can never take away'.

The girls' stepmum Genevieve Barnaby-Adetoro told the Mirror she and Joseph had heard about the incident in Brighton, but they had no idea it was Jane, Christina and Rebecca who had died.

She said: "We’d been watching the news and had no idea it was our girls. We didn’t even know they were in Brighton. Then we had to go and identify the girls, one by one."

Joseph's sister Adesoji Adetoro has set up a GoFundMe page on behalf of his brother Joseph and the family, adding that they are 'still struggling to come to terms with what has happened'.

"This appeal is being made on behalf of my brother Joseph and the family following the devastating loss of his three beloved daughters — Jane, Christina and Rebecca — who tragically lost their lives in the sea at Brighton on 13th May 2026," Adetoro wrote.

The bodies of three women were found on 13 May (Gareth Fuller/PA Media)

"As a family, we are still struggling to come to terms with what has happened. The girls had so much life ahead of them, and their loss has left a pain and emptiness in our hearts that words cannot describe.

"No parent should ever have to bury their child, let alone all three."

She said donations would go towards giving 'the girls the loving and dignified farewell they deserve'.

At the time of writing, £42,341 has been raised, with Adetoro saying in a new update yesterday (25 May): "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every single person who has donated, shared, prayed, and supported our family during this unimaginable time."

Sussex Police identified the women a week after their bodies were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive (Google Maps)

Explaining they had decided to increase the fundraising goal from £40k to £45k 'to provide further support for the family during this devastating time', saying the family 'continue to navigate the heartbreaking weeks ahead and the many costs connected to giving the girls the loving and dignified farewell they deserve'.

Adetoro continued: "Your support has reminded us that we are not facing this grief alone, and it means more to us than words can express.

"If you are able, we would be deeply grateful if you could continue sharing the fundraiser with your friends, family, and wider networks to help us reach the new goal and continue supporting Joseph and the family."

Sussex Police said there is no evidence to suggest criminality or that anyone else was involved.

Detectives, however, are working to gather the full facts and circumstances around their deaths, with hundreds of hours of CCTV footage being reviewed and inquiries made to establishments around the beach area.

Chief Superintendent Adam Hays has said the force 'will leave no stone unturned' in the investigation to learn what lead to the 'tragic events of that Wednesday morning'.

“My heart goes out their family and their friends,” Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said.

“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.”