Authorities in Brighton are continuing to piece together the final moments leading to the deaths of three women recovered from the sea as investigators examine new environmental evidence that may explain how the tragedy unfolded.

The women, previously identified by police as cousins spending time together near Brighton’s beachfront nightlife district, were discovered in the freezing early morning waters after emergency services launched a major coastal response operation.

Now, investigators are reportedly focusing closely on a combination of environmental conditions present during the hours before dawn — including cold temperatures, darkness, tide movement, visibility levels, and underwater terrain.

According to reports connected to the investigation, temperatures near the shoreline had dropped to approximately 12°C during the early morning hours when the women are believed to have entered the water.

Maritime safety experts explain that water exposure at those temperatures can rapidly trigger cold shock response, causing involuntary gasping, breathing difficulty, muscle weakness, panic, and disorientation within seconds.

Specialists warn that cold water shock is particularly dangerous because victims often become physically incapacitated long before they fully understand the severity of the danger they are facing.

Investigators are also reportedly examining underwater topography near the area where the women entered the sea.

Earlier findings suggested that the victims may have encountered a sudden underwater drop-off or abrupt change in seabed depth hidden beneath the seemingly calm shoreline conditions.

Experts note that certain coastal environments can appear shallow and safe near the edge before unexpectedly descending into deeper water only a few steps farther out.

Authorities believe one possible scenario involves one woman losing footing or entering distress before the others instinctively attempted to help — creating a tragic chain reaction that overwhelmed all three within moments.

The fact that the women were reportedly still wearing their night-out clothing when discovered has become another important element in the investigation.

Heavy clothing can quickly absorb water, dramatically increasing body weight while reducing mobility and swimming ability.

Police continue emphasizing that there is currently no evidence publicly suggesting foul play or criminal involvement in the tragedy.

Instead, investigators are reconstructing the women’s final hours through CCTV analysis, witness statements, phone records, weather data, tidal conditions, and forensic examination of the scene.

Mental health experts explain that tragedies involving groups of relatives often resonate deeply with the public because they reveal how instinctive rescue attempts between loved ones can rapidly become fatal under dangerous environmental conditions.

The case has sparked intense emotional reaction throughout Brighton and across social media, where many people continue struggling to understand how a seemingly ordinary night out ended in catastrophe for an entire family.

Flowers, candles, and handwritten messages remain along sections of Brighton beach as residents continue mourning the victims.

Meanwhile, authorities continue urging the public not to spread unsupported conspiracy theories while the investigation remains ongoing. Officials stressed that many critical details surrounding the women’s final movements and the exact sequence of events have not yet been fully released publicly.

As investigators continue analyzing the environmental conditions surrounding the tragedy, officials increasingly believe the devastating incident may have resulted not from violence or criminal intent, but from a deadly combination of freezing water, darkness, hidden underwater hazards, and the instinctive human impulse to save loved ones in distress.