Two women found dead at bottom of Sussex cliffs ‘knew each other’

The bodies of two women who were tragically found at the bottom of cliffs in Sussex ‘knew each other’, police have said
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The women were discovered at the bottom of Rushey Hill in Peacehaven on Monday (May 18), prompting a large multi-agency emergency response.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “We were alerted to an unattended bag at the cliff top and a search, assisted by HM Coastguard and RNLI crews, was conducted.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Sadly the bodies of two women, aged 39 and 49, were discovered in the vicinity of one another.

Emergency services responding to the tragic incident in PeacehavenEmergency services responding to the tragic incident in Peacehaven
Emergency services responding to the tragic incident in Peacehaven

“The women were known to each other and their deaths are not being treated as suspicious.

“The matter has been passed to the Coroner’s Officer and next of kin have been informed.”

Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Team, Newhaven RNLI, and a HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter scrambled to the scene of the tragic incident.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A HM Coastguard spokesman said: “HM Coastguard has this morning been assisting Sussex Police with an incident at Rushy Hill, Peacehaven.

HM CoastguardHM Coastguard
HM Coastguard

“Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Team, Newhaven RNLI Lifeboat and the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lydd were sent.”

If you are affected by any issues raised in this story, contact The Samaritans for confidential support on 116 123.

Tributes have poured in on social media for the two women, who have not yet been formally identified by the police.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

The scene of the incident at Rushey Hill in PeacehavenThe scene of the incident at Rushey Hill in Peacehaven
The scene of the incident at Rushey Hill in Peacehaven
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.