Brighton sufferer was ‘final to see mum’ earlier than tragic finish within the water years in the past

The mum of the Brighton three who were pulled from the water on May 13 was last seen by one of her daughters before disappearing herself years ago. Her body was then found in a lake in Birmingham

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One of the sisters who was found dead off Brighton beach was the last to see her mum before she vanished and was found drowned years before.

It has emerged that the mother of the three women whose bodies were pulled from the sea at Brighton was found dead in a Birmingham lake years prior to this tragedy. Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, all from west London, entered the sea in Brighton in the early hours of May 13.

Heartbroken family members suggested they may have been journeying to the coast to honour their mum Janice Adetoro, who drowned in Brookvale Park, Erdington, in 2010. Janice, aged 43, suffered from stress-related mental health problems and disappeared from her home in Linton Walk, Erdington, in the early hours of January 5. There is question over whether this was in 2010 as the family states, or in 2012 as media reports suggest.

Janice’s brother, Lincoln Walters, from Great Barr, said he had not heard from his sister since New Year’s Day, while her mum, Cynthia Smith-Walters, had not seen Janice since their Christmas Day dinner.

Lincoln made a plea for his sister to get in touch with the family. He said at the time: “The girls are so upset and can’t stop thinking about you and for their sake we need you to make contact.”

At the time, Janice lived with with two daughters aged 15 and 20 and had a third daughter, aged 16, who lived with her father in Bedfordshire.

Sadly, Janice’s body was found after officers drafted in to scour the lake in Brookvale Park, Erdington, made the grim discovery at 9am on October 23, 2012. Police said a post-mortem examination was due to take place later to determine the cause of death. No inquest record can be found.

Birmingham Live reported the 43-year-old was last seen by one of her daughters at their home in nearby Linton Walk in the early hours of January 5, during a cold snap.

The family of the women told the Times that they had seemed happy in the weeks prior to being found dead in Brighton, and that there were not smokers or the type of women to drink.

Their father Joseph expressed that “no words can truly describe the pain” of losing his family, and referred to his daughters as his “joy and strength”. Joseph added: “The tragedy of losing all three of you has left an emptiness that words cannot heal.

“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.”

Detectives are probing the circumstances of the women’s deaths, with no evidence to suggest a crime or third-party involvement.

Their aunt, Adesoji Adetoro, launched a GoFundMe appeal to assist Joseph in covering the funeral costs. The campaign has already raised nearly £30,000, smashing the initial goal of £18,000. You can donate here.

She penned: “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 May 13, 2026.

“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. While trying to process this unimaginable tragedy, my brother is now also faced with the heartbreaking task of arranging three funerals.

“As a family, we simply want to give the girls the loving and dignified farewell they deserve. We are humbly asking for any support you may be able to offer towards the funeral expenses. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help ease the burden on the family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Police are keen to speak with anyone who may have seen the women in the Madeira Drive area of Brighton between 10pm on Tuesday, May 12, and 5.30am on Wednesday, May 13.

Chief Superintendent Adam Hays, the divisional commander for Brighton and Hove, expressed: “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.”

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