Overview
- Sussex Police confirmed a woman's body was found on the beach by Marine Parade at about 8.18am on Saturday, October 3.
- RNLI volunteers, Solent Coastguard, Birling Gap and Eastbourne coastguard teams and the HM Coastguard helicopter Rescue 363 had searched the area after unattended items and a welfare concern were reported the day before.
- Police have informed the woman's next of kin and are preparing a report for the coroner while investigators say there is no evidence of criminality at this stage.
- Photographers and witnesses reported the body appeared to be wearing a wetsuit and showed officers shielding the scene, but Sussex Police have not confirmed those on-scene details.
- A coroner's inquiry and formal identity and cause-of-death checks will follow and authorities say they will provide further public updates only after those steps are complete.