Jay Slater Inquest Paused as Grieving Mother Demands Answers
It’s been almost a year since Jay Slater, a 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, went missing while on holiday in Tenerife. His disappearance and tragic death shocked many and captured the attention of both mainstream and social media. And now, as his inquest unfolds at Preston Coroner’s Court, emotions are running high — especially for his grieving mother, Debbie Duncan, who made a heartfelt plea for key witnesses to finally come forward.
Jay had been attending a music festival in Playa de las Americas back in June 2024. In the early hours of the 17th, he left with people he had just met and ended up in the remote village of Masca, about 22 miles from where he was staying. That was the last time he was seen alive. He made a call to a friend saying he was lost, with just 1% phone battery left. Then, nothing — until his body was found nearly a month later in a ravine.
During the inquest, Debbie Duncan broke down in court, her voice trembling as she asked the coroner, Dr James Adeley, to bring those last seen with Jay into the courtroom. Her son went on holiday and never came back, and she simply wants the chance to ask those lingering questions. She isn’t alone in feeling like there are still missing pieces to this painful puzzle.
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Despite police efforts, several crucial witnesses — including Jay’s friends Bradley Geoghan and Lucy Law — hadn’t appeared. One had a pre-booked family holiday. Others couldn’t be located. Even the two men renting the Airbnb where Jay was last known to have visited, Ayub Qassim and Steven Roccas, have not been tracked down. Their absence has left a gaping hole in the timeline of Jay’s final hours.
What makes the story even more complex is the toxicology report revealing traces of drugs — MDMA, ketamine, and cocaine — in Jay’s system. Add to that disturbing messages he sent, including a selfie with knives in his trousers and claims of being with “kids” who had stolen a luxury watch. He seemed paranoid, maybe scared, yet still hopeful he’d make it back.
One witness, Joshua Forshaw, testified that Jay seemed upbeat at the festival, even saying he planned to sell the stolen watch. But by morning, Jay was sending videos from a mountainous area and expressing concern about taxi fares. The last video call he made didn’t seem alarming, and yet, just hours later, he was gone.
Forensic experts have stated Jay died from a devastating fall — the injuries were so severe, death was likely instant. No signs of assault or restraint were found. Still, Dr Richard Shepherd, the pathologist, admitted that while there's no proof of foul play, a push can’t be ruled out either.
Debbie Duncan’s raw plea was simple: “We want to understand. We need to question the people who last saw him.” And that plea was heard. The inquest has now been adjourned, with renewed efforts to locate missing witnesses. Until they appear, the full truth about what happened in those final hours remains frustratingly out of reach.
This isn’t just about closure. It’s about justice, clarity, and the heartache of a family still in limbo — waiting for the truth about their son who never made it home.
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