Jay Slater Inquest Reveals Key Details of His Disappearance and Final Hours in Tenerife
The inquest into the tragic death of Jay Slater, a 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, continues as new evidence is presented about his final moments in Tenerife. Mr. Slater went missing on 17 June 2024, after a night out in the resort town of Playa de las Americas, and his body was discovered nearly a month later in a ravine near the village of Masca.
The Last Known Conversations
One of the final people to speak with Mr. Slater, Bradley Geoghegan, stated that Slater did not appear threatened during their phone call. Mr. Slater had left a nightclub after becoming intoxicated and chose to walk home from an Airbnb where he had gone with two men he had met on his night out. Mr. Geoghegan mentioned that Slater “probably sobered up and decided to come back,” offering no indication of fear or distress during their conversation.
A Night of Excess and the Walk Home
Witnesses testified that Mr. Slater had been consuming alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, and possibly ketamine during his night out. After being asked to leave the nightclub due to his drunken state, Mr. Slater made his way to an Airbnb instead of returning to his apartment with Geoghegan. The next morning, Slater communicated with his friend, saying he was on a 14-hour walk home. Despite suggestions to take a taxi, Slater opted to continue walking, reportedly without enough money to pay for a ride.
The Critical Phone Call and Disappearance
The inquest revealed that shortly after the call, Mr. Slater’s phone battery likely died, and his last communication was with Lucy Law, another close friend, who was also concerned about his well-being. Slater’s last known phone call came from the mountains, where he mentioned being “in the middle of nowhere” with little to no signal or battery. His body was eventually found on 15 July, and an investigation confirmed he had fallen from a height into the ravine.
Toxicology and Evidence of No Foul Play
Post-mortem examinations revealed that Mr. Slater died from head injuries consistent with a fall. Toxicology reports confirmed traces of drugs, including cocaine, ketamine, and ecstasy, along with alcohol. Despite concerns raised about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, there was no evidence of assault or foul play.
Witness Testimonies and New Developments
In addition to the witness statements, the inquest heard from Ayub Qassim, who had met Slater and Geoghegan during the night out. Qassim confirmed that Slater was offered a place to stay but left the Airbnb after being warned there were no taxis available to take him back. He reported no altercation between them, further suggesting that Slater was not under duress when he left the property.
The inquest will continue, with further examination of the timeline and potential evidence regarding Mr. Slater’s tragic end in Tenerife.
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