In recent court proceedings, Debbie Duncan, the mother of Jay Slater, has made an emotional plea for witnesses to step forward regarding the tragic death of her son. The inquest into Jay’s death was temporarily adjourned after Ms. Duncan articulated her desperation for answers surrounding the events that led to his falling into a ravine in Tenerife. Jay Slater, a resident of Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, went missing in the early hours of June 17, 2024, subsequent to attending a vibrant music festival in the popular tourist destination of Playa de las Americas.
The session at the Preston Coroner’s Court highlighted the difficulties faced in locating key witnesses, as several of Jay’s friends remained untraceable despite extensive efforts by police over several months. In a poignant moment, Ms. Duncan appeared in court tearfully urging coroner Dr. James Adeley to allow these witnesses to come forward and present their accounts. “How can we ever get any understanding?” she asked, emphasizing her need for closure regarding her son’s mysterious disappearance.
Dr. Adeley disclosed that two friends of Jay, Lucy Law and Bradley Geoghan, known also as Bradley Hargreaves, were currently on holiday, which further complicated matters. A relative of Mr. Geoghan informed the media that she only received notification about the inquest within the previous ten days and had provided evidence of his overseas commitment. Thankfully, he expressed a willingness to testify on a rescheduled date. Additionally, attempts to locate Ayub Qassim and Steven Roccas, who had rented an Airbnb that Jay had visited, were also undertaken by the Metropolitan Police but without success.
Jay Slater’s body was unearthed by Spanish authorities on July 15, over a month after he was reported missing. His remains showed severe head trauma, indicative of a fall from a significant height. Toxicology reports revealed that he had drugs, including MDMA, cocaine, and ketamine, in his system, but it remained unclear when these substances were consumed relative to his death. Furthermore, it was mentioned in the inquest that Mr. Slater had sent messages to his friends revealing he was with some individuals who had allegedly stolen a luxury watch and that he had shared an image of himself holding two knives.
In the lead-up to his disappearance, Jay had secured a ride to a remote Airbnb, located approximately 22 miles from his original accommodation. The last interaction he had was with Ms. Law, where he mentioned being lost and having only a minimal amount of battery left on his phone. Following this conversation, details emerged that he had managed to video call Mr. Geoghan while expressing concerns about affording a taxi.
Several witnesses provided insight into Jay’s mental state during this tumultuous period. Joshua Forshaw, a key witness, mentioned that he met Jay at the Papayago nightclub, which was hosting the NRG music festival, stating that Jay appeared to be in good spirits initially but mentioned having been under the influence of alcohol and potentially drugs. This raised questions regarding his overall behavioral state, and the court reviewed statements indicating he might have been acting erratically leading up to the incident.
Apart from the testimonies, Det. Ch Insp Rachel Higson reported on the analysis of Mr. Slater’s digital footprint—the examination of which revealed he had traversed significant distances on foot without signs suggesting any imminent threat. Dr. Richard Shepherd, a forensic pathologist, confirmed that the injuries sustained by Jay were consistent with a fall rather than any assault, suggesting there was no evidence of foul play.
The inquest provoked considerable media attention, with the speculation surrounding Jay’s disappearance generating conspiracy theories and attracting public scrutiny toward his friends and family. Ultimately, Debbie Duncan and the coroner’s court are hopeful that further efforts to identify and source witnesses will provide clarity and answers regarding the circumstances surrounding Jay’s untimely death.