The search for answers in the mysterious disappearance of 19-year-old Jay Slater in Tenerife has taken a significant step forward as the coroner's inquest officially begins.
Slater, a British tourist from Lancashire, vanished without trace during a holiday on the Spanish island in June. His last known location was the remote Rural de Teno park, where he reportedly called a friend saying he was lost and running out of water.
Desperate Search Efforts
Spanish authorities launched an extensive search operation involving helicopters, drones, and sniffer dogs, covering the rugged mountainous terrain where Slater was last seen. Despite these efforts, no concrete evidence has been found to explain his disappearance.
Family's Anguish
Slater's distraught family have maintained a constant presence in Tenerife, pleading for information and assisting with search efforts. His mother Debbie Duncan told reporters: "We just want to know what happened to our Jay. Someone must know something."
Inquest Proceedings Begin
The opening of the inquest at Preston Coroner's Court marks a formal legal process to examine the circumstances surrounding Slater's disappearance. Coroner Chris Long stated: "This is clearly a complex and unusual case that has attracted significant public interest."
Investigators are examining several key aspects of the case:
- Slater's movements in the hours before his disappearance
- His final phone call to a friend
- Possible sightings reported by other tourists
- Weather conditions on the day he vanished
Ongoing Investigation
Spanish police continue to treat this as a missing person case, though some investigators have privately expressed concerns about the lack of any digital footprint or bank activity since Slater disappeared.
Forensic experts are re-examining all available evidence, including mobile phone data and CCTV footage from nearby villages. A police spokesperson said: "We remain committed to finding answers for Jay's family."
