The tragic message a friend sent to Jay Slater in the early hours of the morning he disappeared has been revealed during an inquest into the teenager's death. The 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer from east Lancashire went missing in Tenerife on June 17, 2024, and his body was found in a ravine in Rural Parc de Teno on July 15.
At Preston Coroner's Court, it was heard that Jay sent a concerning text at 2.39am saying: "They've got a marker on me." His friend replied: "You need to get home lad, you're off your barnet." Further texts were sent from Jay's phone between 5.03am and 5.52am, including one that read: "Just took a £12k Rolly off some **** off to get 10 quid for it now."
Friend Josh Forshaw told the inquest that "10 quid" was slang for £10,000, a term commonly used in the Blackburn area. DCI Rachel Higson confirmed that colleagues in east Lancashire recognised the term. At around 7.30am, Jay video-called friend Brad Hargreaves, who said Jay sounded under the influence but not distressed. Jay had also sent a picture of knives down his trousers to Josh about 90 minutes earlier, saying "in case it kicks off."
Witness statements from three Spaniards who saw Jay that morning were heard. At around 7.50am, two construction workers in Masca saw him asking about bus times. Jay's body was later found in the Juan Lopez ravine, north of Masca, close to where his phone last pinged. A post-mortem concluded he died of traumatic head injuries consistent with a fall from height.
The final hearing began on May 21 but has been adjourned to resume at a later date. Lancashire's Senior Coroner Dr James Adeley opened the inquest after Jay's body was returned to Lancashire for his funeral.
