Social media speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding the deaths of three young women in Brighton last week have pushed the police to confirm that no third parties are believed to be involved in the case.
The bodies of the women were found in the water close to Brighton Marina early on Wednesday morning but police are yet to release any information publicly about their identities, how they ended up in the sea and whether they were clothed or wearing swimming gear.
It has been reported that all three women are related and believed to be from London
It has been reported that all three women are related and believed to be from London
Their next of kin were located and informed on Thursday and family members are understood to have identified the bodies on Friday. Their names are unlikely to be made public until early next week while the coroner for West Sussex awaits further information to confirm their identities.
But a dental surgeon in Kingston, Jamaica, claimed on X: “My mum just called me to tell me the bodies of the three women that were found in Brighton Beach are my cousins. And I am in complete shock… all 3 of the girls at one time.”
She later said she was in “shock” before making her account private. The Observer has not been able to contact her to confirm these claims.
Police have declined to say whether the women had left belongings on the shore but downplayed early reports that they may have been students who had been clubbing at a beachfront venue.
The delay in providing further details has led to widespread speculation on social media. Far-right conspiracists spread false theories that the women were migrants who had been sexually assaulted and thrown off a boat by people traffickers. A police spokesperson said there was “no evidence to suggest third-party involvement or criminality”.
Others have suggested the women may have attended an event at the Brighton Festival and were returning to their accommodation when they decided to enter the sea, or that they had gone for a sunrise swim.
Police believe the women probably entered the water close to where they were found. The area, at the far east end of the beach, is known locally as the “washing machine” because of its dangerous currents. This stretch of beach is several hundred metres from designated safe bathing spots closer to the resort’s Palace Pier.
Local swimmers said they avoid it due to its steep pebble shelf, which descends sharply into deep water. Its position next to the marina wall causes an undertow, which often creates a dangerous pull.
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Officers are analysing CCTV footage from cameras along the coast to establish what happened. A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “An investigation is ongoing to understand how all three women came to be in the water.”
Police say further details will not be released until next week.
Photograph by Charlotte Coney/Getty Images