Sisters' Meticulously Planned Suicide Pact After Mother's Drowning

Three sisters who shared a profound bond following the drowning death of their mother 16 years prior, meticulously planned and executed their own suicide pact, walking into the sea at Brighton beach on May 13. An inquest into the deaths of Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, concluded that the trio deliberately took their own lives.

The sisters, who were described as 'incredibly private' and lived 'very secluded lives', had settled all their debts and closed their bank accounts before embarking on their final journey. Their shared ownership flat in Greenford, west London, had been thoroughly cleaned and cleared of possessions. Neighbours noted that it was unusual to see all three sisters together, and they typically received groceries via weekly deliveries.

Despite their secluded lives, all three sisters had achieved professional success. Jane was a senior accountant, Christina also worked as an accountant, and Rebecca was an HR administrator. However, the inquest heard that Christina had suffered from depression since the death of her mother, Janice, who herself died in an ornamental lake in Birmingham in 2010 at the age of 43. Janice had been experiencing mental health issues prior to her death, with an inquest at the time recording an open verdict due to a lack of evidence of deliberate self-harm.

On the evening of May 11, the sisters made a nearly 115-mile journey from their home to Brookvale Lake in Birmingham, the site where their mother had been found. They had also reportedly visited their mother's grave. After spending less than two hours in Birmingham, they took a taxi back to London in the early hours of May 12. Later that evening, they traveled by train to Brighton.

Upon arrival in Brighton, the sisters took a taxi to the beachfront near the marina. CCTV footage showed the sisters pacing near the beachfront for approximately four hours on a stormy and windy night before they were seen heading onto the beach and into the sea at 2:42 a.m. on May 13. Jane was declared dead at the scene after being brought ashore by an RNLI crew. Christina's body was recovered by a lifeboat, and Rebecca's body was found later on Brighton beach.

Police investigating the deaths found no evidence of criminality or third-party involvement. While the sisters left no note or explanation, their father, Joseph, questioned at the inquest whether there was proof of a suicide attempt. Coroner Penelope Schofield stated that all the police could do was present the evidence found and ruled that the three women entered the sea 'to end their lives,' adding that the reasons and choice of location may never be known. The family has been devastated by the loss, with relatives noting the sisters' 'irreplaceable bond' and their inability to overcome their mother's death, which occurred during crucial stages of their adolescence. Some relatives believe the pandemic may have compounded their sense of isolation. The sisters were not in relationships and had become increasingly distant from family in the years following their mother's death. Rebecca was noted for her obsessive cleaning habits, using tissues to press lift buttons and frequent hand sanitiser use. Christina's computer search history revealed extensive research into suicide, bodies, and water. Despite attempts by her father to inform her GP of her struggles, she did not make contact with mental health services. The family remained unaware of the sisters' presence in Brighton on the day they died, recalling only a single family holiday to the area many years prior. For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123.