Sussex Police have said they believe they have identified the three young women whose bodies were recovered from the sea near Madeira Drive in Brighton on Wednesday morning. Formal identification has yet to be completed and the families of those involved are still being contacted, the force confirmed in a statement issued late on Wednesday evening.
The development comes a little over 24 hours after emergency services were first called to Brighton seafront at around 5.45am on Wednesday following reports of concern for the welfare of a person in the water. The women, understood to be aged between 20 and 30, were recovered shortly afterwards in an operation involving Sussex Police, HM Coastguard, RNLI Brighton crews and the South East Coast Ambulance Service.
Community tributes continue
The story has drawn condolences from across the city’s political and community leadership. Council leader Bella Sankey described the deaths as “absolutely tragic and horrific,” and Chris Ward MP and Siân Berry MP both paid tribute to the emergency services involved.
Floral tributes have continued to be left along the railings overlooking the eastern stretch of Madeira Drive throughout Wednesday evening and into Thursday morning, with residents from Kemptown, Bevendean and Whitehawk among those leaving messages and flowers at the scene.
The police statement
A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “We believe we have now identified the three young women involved in this tragic incident. Formal identification has yet to be completed and we are continuing to support the families of those involved. We would once again ask the public to avoid speculation while our enquiries are ongoing, and to allow the families the privacy they need during what is an extremely difficult time.”
The names of the women have not been released. Sussex Police have asked that they be allowed to complete the identification process before any further details are confirmed publicly. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Sussex Police online or via 101.
Where to find support
If you have been affected by this story, support is available. The Samaritans can be contacted free, 24 hours a day, on 116 123. Brighton-based charity Grassroots Suicide Prevention offers training, resources and local signposting for anyone affected.
Related Reading
- Three Young Women Recovered from Sea Off Brighton’s Madeira Drive
- Bella Sankey Calls Madeira Drive Deaths “Absolutely Tragic” as Brighton Mourns
- Madeira Drive: A Guide to Brighton’s Historic Seafront
