Inquest into Jay Slater’s Death Uncovers Disturbing Details

The inquest into the death of Jay Slater, a 19-year-old from Lancashire, has resumed, revealing troubling details about the circumstances leading to his fall in a remote ravine in Tenerife. Slater vanished on June 17, 2022, after attending the NRG music festival with friends. His remains were discovered nearly a month later in steep terrain near the village of Masca.

The inquest, which began earlier this year but paused, resumed this week amid calls from Slater’s mother, Debbie Duncan, for key witnesses to step forward. The hearing brought to light new evidence, including a frantic phone call made by Slater to a friend on the day he went missing. During this call, he expressed distress, stating, “I’m in the middle of nowhere… there is literally nothing but mountains.”

Lucy’s Law, a friend who received the call, noted that Slater asked her if cactuses were poisonous. She advised him to return to where he had come from but felt reassured that nothing serious had happened. Law stated, “I also feel like, if something had gone on in terms of conflict, I feel like he probably would have said.”

Despite exhaustive efforts, key witnesses have yet to come forward. Steven ‘Rocky’ Roccas, who stayed with Slater before his disappearance, could not be located for the hearing. Another friend, Brandon Hodgson, who was possibly one of the last to see Slater, also failed to attend. According to Lois Norris, a barrister representing Slater’s family, Hodgson appeared “unwilling to give evidence” earlier.

During the inquest, friends recounted that they may have indulged excessively while celebrating their first boys’ holiday. One friend, identified as Brad, disclosed that Slater had taken ecstasy and cocaine, and possibly ketamine during the festival. Brad rated Slater’s intoxication at a six on a ten-point scale, describing him as “giddy” and out to have fun.

The moments leading to Slater’s disappearance were chaotic. Law recounted her panic when she could not locate him after he had gone to the toilet. As phones were nearly dead, and Slater was not answering, the group searched frantically through the venue. Law later left him an irate voicemail demanding to know his whereabouts, stating, “If you’re not there this time I will be f**** fuming.”

Once found, Slater expressed his reluctance to return home, declaring, “There’s no way I’m going home.” He later accepted an invitation from Ayub Qassim, who reportedly was the last person to see him alive. Qassim offered condolences to Slater’s family during the inquest but faced criticism for diverting the discussion to unrelated political statements.

According to Qassim, they partied until the early hours of the morning, with Slater appearing “coherent” and in good spirits. When offered a ride home, Slater opted to take a bus back to his accommodation instead.

Amid the inquiry, friends dismissed rumors regarding Slater allegedly stealing a watch or carrying knives. They stated they had no knowledge of such incidents, despite a Snapchat post where Slater supposedly boasted about a stolen watch. Qassim remarked, “When you’re younger you might exaggerate things,” adding he did not witness any theft.

The mountain rescue team attributed Slater’s tragic fall to several factors, including his lack of experience in mountainous terrain, recklessness, diminished physical fitness, and insufficient equipment. Weather conditions and loose rocks were also identified as contributing factors to the incident.

As the inquest continues, further evidence is expected to be presented, aiming to clarify the events leading to the untimely death of a young man whose story has resonated deeply with his friends and family.