Three women found dead off Brighton seafront 'were all related'

Three women found dead off Brighton seafront were all related, it has been reported. The trio, believed to be aged in their late teens to early 20s, were wiped out in the same tragedy early on Wednesday morning after the emergency services received reports of concerns for a woman in the sea . Writing on X, a relative, understood to be based in Jamaica, said: "My mum just called me to tell me the bodies of the three women that were found in Brighton Beach are my cousins. "I am in complete shock because …… All 3 of the girls one time." Asked "Are they all from Jamaica?", the relative replied: "No they are not". The women were understood to have been enjoying a night out before the tragedy and were reportedly fully clothed when found. Emergency crews raced to the beach accompanied by a helicopter and lifeboats at around 5.45am on Wednesday morning before their bodies were recovered from the water near Madeira Drive. Officers are still analysing CCTV footage from cameras along the coast in a bid to establish what led to the disaster amid fears they could have been swept away from shore after paddling out to sea before falling off a coastal shelf. Locals in Brighton say the seabed falls away dramatically not far from the beach and the shingle shelf can make paddling too far out dangerous. Investigators are believed to be looking at the possibility the three women lost their footing when the shingle dropped away underfoot. Police today said they believe they now know who all three women are and are now working with their loved ones to formally identify them. A spokesperson said: “It would not be appropriate to publicly name the women before these procedures are completed. Their loved ones are being supported by specialist officers following their tragic loss. They added: “An investigation is ongoing to understand how all three women came to be in the water. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest third-party involvement or criminality.” It came after locals, who did not know the girls, began leaving floral tributes close to the spot where they were found. Eve Streeter, who lives nearby, said the whole city had been "shaken" by the news. She said: "It’s such upsetting news. It shocks the whole city, it’s a tragedy that belongs to the city. This is our water. I’ve had people from London messaging me about it, saying ‘god, what news. It must be shocking for the whole city.’ And it properly is. It’s horrible. "The beach is a place of holiday and happiness, but every now and again we’re reminded that it’s brutal and it’s dangerous. And we forget that at our peril." Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: “This is an utterly heartbreaking tragedy, and my thoughts are with the loved ones of these three young women after their devastating loss. They will remain at the forefront of our minds as we search for the answers their families, and the wider public, desperately seek. "This is a sensitive investigation that includes a number of hypotheses, and it would not be appropriate to speculate as we to continue to gather evidence. “I would once again ask for the public’s patience while we establish the full facts, which will be shared publicly as soon as we are able. Anyone with information that could help is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Ledmore.”