Brighton beach deaths have 'had a huge effect on us all'
Sussex Police say they believe they have identified the three women, but are not naming them yet.
www.bbc.comHere’s the latest on the Brighton beach deaths as reported in mid-May 2026.
Three women were found dead in the sea off Brighton Beach, with emergency services responding in the early hours of May 13. Sussex Police said they were at the early stages of enquiries and were not initially naming the victims. This is based on ongoing police statements and coverage from multiple outlets around May 13–15, 2026. [BBC: Brighton beach deaths have 'had a huge effect on us all'][BBC: Deaths of three women in sea in Brighton 'tragic and horrendous'][BBC: Brighton beach deaths – police update]
Authorities believe the three women have been identified, but names were not released publicly initially, as investigators review evidence and notify next of kin. Off the Madeira Drive/Black Rock area, a police cordon had been established and later lifted as the scene was managed, with investigations focusing on how the women entered the water and what happened. [BBC article on identifications][BBC follow-up coverage]
Several theories were considered by rescuers and investigators, including stepping off a shallow shelf into deeper water and possible misjudgments near the shore; investigators emphasized they were exploring multiple hypotheses and that there was no indication of third-party involvement or criminal activity at that stage. [Standard coverage and local reporting]
The incident prompted significant local reaction, with coastguard and RNLI resources deployed, and observers noting the sudden impact on the community. Media coverage highlighted the shock to residents and the ongoing process of confirming identities and notifying families. [BBC summaries][Mirror and local outlets]
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Sussex Police say they believe they have identified the three women, but are not naming them yet.
www.bbc.comSussex Police say it would not be appropriate to publicly name them at this stage.
www.bbc.comResidents in Brighton have told how the seabed falls away dramatically not far from the beach as police continue to investigate the deaths of three women whose bodies were found in the water
www.mirror.co.ukEmergency services swarmed the beach on Wednesday morning after concerns were raised for a woman's welfare
www.walesonline.co.ukPolice said the family of the three women ‘remain unaware they have lost loved ones’
www.inkl.comOne theory put forward by coastguards is that the women got into difficulty after stumbling off a shingle shelf into deep water
www.standard.co.ukThe man was pronounced dead at the scene despite the coastguard and RNLI teams intervening.
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