The bodies of three young women were recovered from the sea near Brighton’s Madeira Drive this morning in what Sussex Police have described as a “tragic incident”Kelly Williams Chief reporter/Content editor, Emma O’Neill Content Editor and Patrick Hill
16:43, 13 May 2026Updated 19:30, 13 May 2026
Emergency services at the scene
Three women found dead on Brighton seafront were found fully clothed.
The women, believed to be in their late teens to early 20s, are understood to have been fully clothed with their handbags found at the scene.
The unnamed trio were discovered after the police and coastguard were called to reports of concerns for a person seen in the water at around 5.45am this morning. Two of the women were reportedly found on the beach at nearby Black Rock Beach, while the third was found near Brighton Pier.
A police investigation is now underway to identify the women. One local worker said: “Police were down earlier speaking to people from the club. Apparently their handbags were found on the beach along with a coat. I saw coastguard officers searching for more of their personal belongings like phones.
“It’s absolutely dreadful. The student night is always packed out. I was told students were spilling out onto the beach, smoking and drinking.”
Police guard the beach after the bodies were found(Image: Getty Images)
Officers have confirmed they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the discovery, reports the Daily Star.
At a press conference held at the scene along the shoreline, Sussex Police Chief Superintendent Adam Hays described it as a “tragic incident”. “Our priority right now is to identify all three women and contact their next of kin,” he said.
“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 in the surrounding area.” The coastguard confirmed it is not searching for any additional individuals.
Emergency services rushed to the beach alongside a helicopter and lifeboats on Wednesday morning following reports of concern for three women in the sea, responding at around 5.45am. Tragically, the bodies of three women were recovered from the water near Madeira Drive.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays had previously stated: “This is a tragic incident and fast-moving enquiries are ongoing to confirm the identities of these three women and understand exactly what has happened.
Emergency services at the scene today(Image: Anahita Hossein-Pour/PA Media)
“I know this is concerning for the community, but I would ask the public to stay away from the scene at this time while emergency services continue their work. We will provide further updates as soon as they are available.”
Following the discovery of the three women’s bodies near Brighton beach, the coastguard released an official statement confirming: “HM Coastguard is responding to an incident reported at Brighton beach at about 5.50am on 13 May.
“An HM Coastguard helicopter has been sent as well as Coastguard Rescue Teams from Shoreham, Newhaven, Littlehampton and Birling Gap, and three RNLI lifeboats from Brighton and Shoreham. Sussex Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service have also attended.”
An investigation to determine the identity of the women is now ongoing. Brighton Beach is an eight-mile stretch of shingle shoreline extending along the southern English city.
The RNLI confirmed Brighton Lifeboat and Shoreham All-weather Lifeboat were dispatched this morning around 6am to support the search operation.
Many people have posted on social media following the tragedy. “My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the women,” wrote one person on Facebook.
Another commented: “So very sad for all involved, this is a terrible tragedy and my heart goes out to everyone affected as the investigation unfolds.” A third remarked: “Very sad! Condolences to their family’s.”