Back in June 2024, the disappearance of 19-year-old Jay Slater in Tenerife grabbed headlines and sparked a huge search operation.
The young British apprentice bricklayer vanished after attending a music festival, leaving friends and family desperate for answers.
Now, an inquest into his tragic death has shed new light on the circumstances — but also revealed frustrations around missing witness testimonies.
Friends Who Stayed Silent Amid the Inquiry
At the start of the inquest, Lancashire senior coroner Dr James Adeley made it clear that several of Jay’s friends who could have shared crucial information had not come forward.
Lucy Law, who got a desperate call from Jay telling her he was lost, out of water, and had only 1% battery left on his phone, was among those who couldn’t be reached.
The coroner explained police attempts to contact her and others had failed, with some simply not answering calls or messages.
Dr Adeley pointed out the difficulty in getting cooperation when drugs are involved, explaining that witnesses often become reluctant to speak to authorities.
Jay’s parents, Debbie and Warren Slater, quietly listened as the coroner expressed his frustration over the silence from these key witnesses.
The Final Hours: What We Know So Far
Jay had spent the night of June 16 at the NRG Festival in Playa de las Americas.
After the all-night rave, he ended up separated from his group and went to stay at an Airbnb in a remote village called Masca, with two other British men — one of whom had a past drug conviction.
Early the next morning, around 7:30 am, Jay posted a Snapchat photo of himself smoking a cigarette by the door of the rental house.
By 8:30 am, he called Lucy Law, explaining he was lost, confused in the mountains, thirsty, and with a dying phone battery.
His phone died shortly after, with his last known location in the rugged area of Rural de Teno park.
A Massive Search That Spanned Weeks
What followed was an intense search operation involving local police, mountain rescue teams, firefighters, and even volunteer groups.
Jay’s family flew over from Lancashire to join the search, combing the steep, rocky terrain around Masca where he was last seen.
Despite several leads, including a brief shift of search efforts to another part of the island, the team eventually refocused on the rural northern areas.
Conspiracy theories began swirling online, with some cruel rumors suggesting Jay had crossed paths with criminal gangs — claims his family strongly denied.
The hunt continued for over a month before Jay’s body was finally found deep in a ravine near Masca on July 15.
The Medical Evidence: How Jay Likely Died
At the inquest, a forensic pathologist explained that Jay suffered severe fractures to his skull and pelvis — injuries consistent with falling from a significant height.
While decomposition due to the hot climate made it difficult to be certain, the expert said there was no evidence Jay had been assaulted before his fall, although he couldn’t entirely rule out the possibility that he might have been pushed.
The pathologist also stressed that the fall would have caused instant unconsciousness, meaning Jay’s death was likely swift and unavoidable, even with immediate medical intervention.
Drugs in Jay’s System and Witness Testimonies
Toxicology reports revealed Jay had traces of cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA), and ketamine in his system.
Because his body wasn’t found until weeks after his death, blood and urine tests were impossible, but liver, hair, and muscle samples confirmed the presence of these drugs.
Experts said the ketamine was likely consumed within 12 hours before his death.
One friend, Joshua Forshaw, who gave evidence remotely, described Jay as “off his head on drugs” during the festival night.
Joshua recalled a Snapchat message from Jay about being thrown out of the rave and trying to sell a watch, though Joshua never saw the watch himself.
Unfortunately, a key Snapchat image was later accidentally deleted by police, complicating the investigation further.
Missing Witnesses and Police Challenges
Alongside Lucy Law and Joshua Forshaw, others including Brad Hargreaves and Brandon Hodgson were summoned to give evidence, as well as the men Jay stayed with at the Airbnb.
But most were unreachable, with no response to calls, texts, or visits to their known addresses.
One friend did notify the court he was away on holiday.
Jay’s father expressed frustration that the two men who could shed more light on the tragedy were not present at the hearing.
The coroner assured that Spanish witnesses’ statements had been collected, which aligned with one of the men’s versions of events.
Remembering Jay Slater
Jay’s funeral in August was a poignant event attended by hundreds in Accrington.
Friends and family shared memories of his bright spirit and infectious smile.
The service was marked with drum-and-bass music, a nod to Jay’s vibrant personality.
A GoFundMe campaign raised over £70,000 to cover the costs of the search and funeral arrangements, including hiring a specialist Dutch search team and supporting the family’s efforts on the island.
The Bigger Picture: Coroner’s Previous High-Profile Cases
This inquest is taking place under the same senior coroner, Dr James Adeley, who previously oversaw the inquiry into Nicola Bulley’s death in Lancashire.
Nicola’s disappearance and subsequent tragic death after walking her dog also attracted widespread media and social media attention, including conspiracy theories.
Dr Adeley ruled her death accidental after a thorough investigation.
Unlike the tight security at Nicola Bulley’s inquest, Jay Slater’s hearing is being held openly at Preston Coroner’s Court, as the family continues to seek clarity and closure.