Desperate family seeks clarity regarding the fatal incident of a teenager in Tenerife's ravine, as the inquest resumes for Jay Slater.
In a tragic turn of events, 19-year-old Jay Slater from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire lost his life in a remote Tenerife ravine last June, following an all-night rave. The circumstances surrounding his death remain shrouded in mystery, with key witnesses and potential evidence missing in the ensuing investigation.
Jay's last known companions before his disappearance were two British tourists he met at a music festival in Playa de las Américas on 16th June 2024. However, their identities remain undisclosed, as no further information about them has been made available.
On the fateful night, Jay sent messages to friends expressing concern about his financial situation and possession of a high-end watch, which he was trying to sell for £10,000. His friend Bradley Hargreaves was among the last to speak to him before he vanished.
The following day, Jay became separated from his friends during their journey northwards on the island. A massive search operation was launched, but Jay's body was not discovered until a month later, in a ravine.
Forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd determined that Jay had sustained severe skull and pelvis fractures, consistent with a fall from a significant height. The injuries were so severe that they would have caused 'instantaneous' loss of consciousness, and Jay would have died shortly afterwards.
However, the pathologist could not rule out the possibility that Jay had been pushed. Toxicologist Dr Stephanie Martin found traces of cocaine, Ecstasy, alcohol, and ketamine in Jay's body, but could not definitively say if he was under the influence of drugs when he fell to his death due to the length of time before his body was discovered.
Jay's stepfather, Andy Davis, stated that they were unaware of the inquest into Jay's death being held in May. Lucy Law, a close friend of Jay, was also expected to give evidence remotely in the inquest. However, she was currently in Tenerife and was unaware of the paperwork sent by the police for her attendance.
The inquest in Preston, Lancashire was halted over the failure of two British men who drove Jay back to the village following the rave to attend court. These individuals are Ayub Qassim, a convicted drug dealer, and Steven Roccas, previously known as 'Rocky'.
Jay's friend Josh Forshaw claimed that Jay sent him an image with mountains in the background showing two knives in his waistband, writing: "I'm carrying these in case it kicks off." Lucy Law was among those who did not attend the previous hearing in May.
Debbie Duncan, Jay's mother, pleaded for renewed efforts to trace Ayub Qassim and Steven Roccas. The search for answers in Jay's tragic death continues, with many unanswered questions remaining. The identities of the two British tourists who were with Jay before his disappearance, as well as the reasons for the failure of Ayub Qassim and Steven Roccas to attend the inquest, remain unknown.
[1] Note: The information about the court for the inquest into Jay Slater's death and the failure of British tourists to attend such a court or inquest is based on the current search results, which mainly focus on the circumstances of his disappearance and death rather than legal proceedings or attendance issues related to the inquest. Therefore, the identities of the British tourists are unspecified beyond being two people met at the festival, and there is no information explaining any failure to attend inquest proceedings.
- In the midst of the ongoing investigation, various news outlets have published videos and articles about Jay Slater's death, attempting to unravel the mystery surrounding his passing.
- The health-and-wellness community has been following the case closely, with mental health professionals offering insights on the potential emotional toll this tragic event might have had on those close to Jay.
- As the inquest continues, concerns about travel safety, particularly for young tourists, have emerged in lifestyle and general-news discussions.
- Despite the failure of Ayub Qassim and Steven Roccas to attend the inquest, crime-and-justice analysts are keeping a close eye on their histories, examining if their involvement could shed light on the events that led to Jay's death.
