The inquest into the death of Jay Slater, the 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, who vanished in Tenerife last June, has concluded that he died accidentally after falling in a rocky ravine. The hearing at Preston Coroner's Court heard details of his erratic behaviour in the hours before his disappearance, including confused phone calls and a fear that he had been poisoned.
Jay had travelled to the island with friends Lucy Law, Brandon Hodgson, and Bradley Hargreaves to attend the NRG music festival. On the night of June 16, the group went out in Playa de las Américas. Lucy told the court that Jay was 'visibly intoxicated' but not 'mangled'. He went to the toilet and did not return, later messaging that he was in various clubs. When Lucy found him, he refused to go home, saying he was 'on a mission'.
Jay eventually went to an Airbnb with two men he had met, convicted drug dealer Ayub Qassim and Steven 'Rocky' Roccas. Ayub testified via video link, describing Jay as 'chilled, happy'. He said Jay asked to stay because his friends had gone home, and he provided him with a blanket and towel. Jay video-called Bradley from the apartment, showing him the bed.
In the morning, Jay made a series of frantic calls to Lucy, saying he was lost, thirsty, and that his phone battery was at 1%. He also claimed he needed a drink because 'someone has poisoned me'. Lucy told the court she tried to calm him down. The inquest heard that Jay's body was found a month later near Masca, with a skull fracture and brain trauma consistent with a fall.
The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death, noting that no evidence of poisoning was found. The inquest highlighted the challenges of tracing key witnesses, as Ayub gave evidence from a foreign country. Jay's family expressed relief at the conclusion but remain devastated by the loss.
