Police issue investigation update after young women found dead off Brighton coast
The public have been asked to ‘avoid speculation’, after three young women were found dead off the coast at Brighton.
The emergency services were called to ‘concerns for the welfare of three women’ in the sea off Brighton, at around 5.45am, on Wednesday (May 13).
Sussex World understands that police are exploring a number of lines of enquiry – one of which being that the women may have entered the water from the beach, near to where they were found, and got into difficulty.
An updated police statement at 6.30pm read: “Sussex Police is continuing to investigate the tragic discovery of the bodies of three women in the sea off Brighton beach this morning.
“The beach has now reopened and our officers have left the scene, following a significant operation which began at 5.45am.
“Emergency services were first called to concern for a single person in the water near Black Rocks car park in Madeira Drive. On arrival, two more bodies were sadly recovered from the sea nearby.
“We are working hard to follow up a number of lines of enquiry to identify the three women and understand exactly what has happened.”
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said the force understands the ‘impact this tragic incident has had on the local community and more widely’.
He added: “This is a sensitive investigation and we know the public are keen to understand the full circumstances. But our priority at this time is identifying these three women and locating their families, who at this point remain unaware they have lost loved ones.
“I would ask for people’s patience while we conduct these enquiries and to avoid speculation while this is ongoing.
“Anyone with information that could help is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Ledmore.”
Detectives have been gathering and reviewing CCTV from the surrounding area, including from properties and local businesses nearby. The coastguard has also ‘completed an extensive search of the water’, and the police are ‘not searching for anyone else’
Katy Bourne OBE, the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, wrote on social media: “This is awful news & my thoughts are with their friends and loved ones. We must allow police to investigate and refrain from speculation at this time.”
The leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, Bella Sankey, also released a statement.
She said: "I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of three women off the Brighton coast this morning.
"My heart goes out to the friends and family of these women and on behalf of Brighton & Hove, I send sincere condolences.
"I would also like to thank the emergency services for their quick response and combined efforts. It is heart-breaking that their recovery efforts have ended in such tragic circumstances."