Inquest into Jay Slater’s Death Reveals Alarming New Evidence

An inquest into the death of Jay Slater, a 19-year-old from Lancashire, has resumed, shedding light on alarming new evidence surrounding his tragic fall in a remote ravine in Tenerife. Slater disappeared on June 17, 2022, after attending the NRG music festival. His remains were discovered nearly a month later, on July 14, in steep terrain near the village of Masca. The hearing, which had paused earlier this year, is now focusing on key witness testimonies that have yet to be heard.

During a frantic phone call on the day he went missing, Slater told a friend, “I’m in the middle of nowhere… there is literally nothing but mountains.” Lucy Law, who was with him at the festival, recounted her panic after receiving the call. She recalled Jay asking if cactuses were poisonous, to which she advised, “A cactus is the least of your problems, go back to where you have just come from.” Despite his distress, Law expressed doubt that anything serious had occurred, stating, “If something had gone on in terms of conflict, I feel like he probably would have said.”

The inquest has highlighted the absence of crucial witnesses. Steven ‘Rocky’ Roccas, who was staying at an Airbnb with Jay before his disappearance, could not be located for the hearing. Additionally, Brandon Hodgson, a mutual friend of Jay and Ayub Qassim—another individual who was reportedly with him—failed to appear. According to barrister Lois Norris, Hodgson seemed unwilling to give evidence, despite multiple efforts to contact him.

Jay’s friends have indicated that they may have indulged excessively during their first boys’ holiday. One friend, Brad, described Jay’s behavior as “giddy” after consuming ecstasy and cocaine, along with ketamine at some point during the trip. He rated Jay’s level of intoxication as a six on a ten-point scale.

The night before Jay’s disappearance was chaotic. Law struggled to find him after he left to use the restroom at the festival. After several failed attempts to locate him, she left an angry voicemail, expressing her frustration. When she finally found him, he casually insisted he wasn’t ready to go home, stating, “There’s no way I’m going home.”

Qassim, believed to be the last person to see Jay alive, offered condolences to Slater’s family during the inquest. However, he drew criticism for diverting the focus of his remarks to political issues, prompting the coroner to remind him, “You are not here to make political statements.” Qassim described Jay as being “on the buzz” during their time together, and said he would have driven Jay home if he had chosen to stay.

The inquest also addressed circulating rumors about Jay allegedly stealing a watch and carrying knives, which friends dismissed. They stated they had no knowledge of a theft, despite claims circulating on social media. Brad refuted the idea that Jay carried knives, emphasizing that nothing indicated Jay was distressed or agitated.

Tragically, the mountain rescue team indicated that several factors contributed to Jay’s fatal fall. They attributed his death to a combination of inexperience in mountainous terrain, recklessness, and insufficient equipment for the conditions. Additionally, adverse weather conditions and the danger posed by loose rocks were cited as significant factors leading to the accident.

As the inquest continues, it remains imperative for key witnesses to come forward. The investigation seeks to clarify the circumstances surrounding Jay Slater’s untimely death and provide answers to a grieving family.