SUSSEX Police have rebutted claims that they have not investigated Blessing Olusegun's death properly because of her ethnicity.

The force said it "strongly refutes" accusations that it did not look into the 21-year-old's death adequately because of her race while revealing the circumstances around her death.

The body of Blessing was found lying on the beach near Galley Hill, Bexhill, at 6.20am on September 18.

Her mother was visited and informed by Metropolitan Police officers later the same day.

A post mortem took place on September 24 and further forensic tests were carried out in order for the cause of Blessing’s death to be established.

The post mortem examination, carried out by an independent pathologist, found “no evidence of violence or of internal or external injury”. Her death is currently being treated as “unexplained but not suspicious”.

However facing growing criticism over their investigation, Sussex Police have now revealed the lines of enquiry they are persuing to establish the circumstances of Blessing's death.

According to the force, a search of the area where Blessing was found located her phone and slippers piled neatly 300 metres away on the beach.

READ MORE >> Blessing Olusegun: Police 'continue to investigate' death

A review of CCTV also showed the 21-year-old walking to the beach and entering it at around 1.30am.

She was alone and no evidence of others being in the vicinity has been captured on CCTV.

Sussex Police have also conducted interviews with people who last saw or spoke with Blessing, including family and friends.

Officers also searched her room at her work placement in Bexhill.

A forensic examination of her devices and a detailed review of her phone records is ongoing.

Senior investigating officer detective inspector Pippa Nicklin said the force is still carefully reviewing evidence.

She said: "It has been reported that we have not properly investigated Blessing’s death because of her ethnicity and we strongly refute these claims.

"I have spoken with Blessing’s mother and explained we remain absolutely committed to finding out the facts of what happened to Blessing.

"This is a very distressing time for her and we are keen to do everything we can so that hopefully she may gain some closure over the death of her much-loved daughter.

“Although there continues to be no evidence of crime we are still carefully and fully examining all the circumstances leading up to Blessing's death, from her arrival in Bexhill, to her leaving the house where she was working and walking to the beach."

All evidence collated will be submitted to the Coroner, who will set a date for an inquest in due course.