DOUBLE TRAGEDY
3 sisters who died off Brighton ‘never recovered’ from mum’s drowning death 16yrs before – as family say dad ‘catatonic’
THE three sisters who died off Brighton beach “never recovered” from their mum’s death – as heartbroken relatives say their dad is “catatonic”.
“Inseperable” Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, were tragically pulled from the water last Wednesday.
The sisters – who lived together in Uxbridge, West London – were swept away at sea after entering the water at around 5.30am.
It is feared they were “suddenly dragged into danger after misjudging the shingle shelf” near the water’s edge, but a police probe remains ongoing.
And the tragedy comes 16 years after the death of their mum Janice, 43, who also sadly died by drowning in Brookvale Park lake in Birmingham.
She went missing in January 2010 – when the sisters were aged 20, 16 and 15 – and their aunt Ajike Adetoro, said the girls “never recovered”.
Ajike, known as Auntie Jik to the sisters, also said their dad Joseph, 68, is completely “catatonic” with grief in the wake of his daughter’s deaths.
She told MailOnline: “They are his babies. He is a softie anyway. My brother is a teddy bear, but when it comes to his girls… He has been catatonic.”
His partner and the girls’ step-mother Genevieve Barnaby-Adetoro said Joseph has been struggling to sleep and eat following the tragedy.
She told how the couple had been watching the news when the bodies were pulled from the sea, unaware it was their girls who had been found.
They did not know the sisters had been in Brighton until Joseph received a phone call from police asking about his children.
Officers later arrived at their London home and informed them in person, before they travelled to the south coast to identify the bodies.
It has also heavily affected their half-sister, Lilly, 25, who has reportedly been “inconsolable” following the tragedy.
Genevieve says the heartbroken family are trying to get Lilly, who is currently living out in America, back to the UK for the funeral.
She continued: “We think it’s right that Lilly is involved. We’ve said she can be in charge of their homecoming. We will ask her to pick their clothes.
“She wants it to be as beautiful as possible, with white caskets and white roses. She even wants a carriage to take them home… to honour them.”
But the relatives are still waiting to set a date for the funeral, with cops yet to release the girls’ bodies.
Ajike is desperate for answers, with the investigation to understand how exactly Jane, Christina and Rebecca came to be in the water still ongoing.
She continued: “I pray that they’ve been being mischievous, that one of them lost their footing and the others dived in to save them.
“Did one fall in and the others go to help, because they would have done… We are their family, and we don’t have answers.”
Eldest sister Jane, who worked as an accountant, took on the “role of mother” to her younger siblings Christina and Rebecca.
Christina had recently graduated from Brunel University, while Rebecca was described as the “baby” of the family, who was mischievous and lively.
The pebbled beach around Brighton and the Palace Pier is notorious for steep slopes, which can be incredibly dangerous for swimmers.
Releasing a tribute through Sussex Police, Joseph hailed his daughters as “my joy and my strength”.
It read: “Today, with a heart full of sorrow and love, I pay tribute to my beloved daughters 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.”
The force said there is currently no evidence to suggest third-party involvement or criminality.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays, Divisional Commander for Brighton and Hove urged anyone with information to come forward.
He 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.
“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.”
Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/39195935/sisters-died-brighton-never-recovered-mums-death/
