Police believe they have identified three women whose bodies were found off the beach in Brighton

On May 13, 2026, Sussex Police provided an update after the bodies of three women were found off the beach in Brighton. A statement read: “Sussex Police is continuing to investigate the tragic discovery of the bodies of three women in the sea off Brighton beach this morning (13 May).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.

Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: “I understand the impact this tragic incident has had on the local community and more widely.

“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.”

After the bodies were discovered, Adam Hays said: Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: "At around 05:45 [BST] this morning emergency services were called to Brighton beach to concerns for the welfare of a person in the water.

"Very sadly a short while after the bodies of three women were recovered from the sea near Madeira Drive. This is a tragic incident. We are at the very early stages of our enquiries.

"Our priority right now is to identify all three women and contact their next of kin. I know this incident will be highly distressing for the community, and we are working hard with our partners to understand exactly what has happened.

"This includes gathering and reviewing CCTV from the surrounding area, including from properties and local businesses nearby. Our partners in the Coastguard have completed an extensive search of the water and at this stage we are not searching for anyone else.

"The beach will remain closed east of Volk’s Railway Black Rock car park for at least the rest of the afternoon. We are asking the public to please stay away from the area while we work at the scene.

"Anyone with any information that could help our investigation could contact us online via 101 quoting Operation Ledmore. We will provide further updates as soon as we can."

Sussex Police has shared another update on May 14 which reads: “Following extensive enquiries, we believe we have now identified all three women. Their next of kin have been informed and formal identification procedures are now being undertaken.

“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.

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 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.”