After enduring 13 months of uncertainty, Jay Slater’s distressed family finally received clarity last summer regarding the tragic circumstances that led to the teen’s disappearance in a rugged ravine in Tenerife.
Jay vanished after heading to an Airbnb in the secluded village of Masca following a night at the NRG rave at the Papagayo nightclub in Playa de las América the previous summer. The 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, had consumed a mix of drugs and alcohol while partying. The following morning, he embarked on a challenging 14-hour trek back to his apartment, expressing his reluctance to return to his previous location.
Despite pleading for crucial witnesses to come forward, many of Jay’s friends failed to attend the initial inquest, leaving his family in limbo. However, three of the teen’s friends eventually provided vital testimony at the July inquest, shedding light on Jay’s last night out, his movements before disappearing, and a distressing final phone call where he expressed fear while navigating hostile terrain in a remote area.
The court also heard testimonies from Spanish authorities, a pathologist, and the mountain rescue team that discovered Jay’s body 29 days post-disappearance in the Juan Lopez ravine. The inquest revealed details ranging from a mysterious Rolex connection to Jay’s tragic cause of death, unraveling the gripping saga that captivated the nation.
Pathologist Dr. Mark Shepherd informed the inquest that Jay likely met an instantaneous death, attributing it to a severe brain injury. Toxicology tests unveiled the presence of cocaine, MDMA, alcohol, and ketamine in Jay’s system, signifying a cocktail of substances before his demise.
Coroner Dr. James Adeley determined Jay’s death as accidental, resulting from a fall from a height. The autopsy highlighted extensive mummification due to prolonged exposure to the sun. The rescue team emphasized Jay’s lack of experience in mountainous regions, coupled with intoxication and fatigue, as contributing factors to his tragic end.
Concluding that Jay’s passing was an accidental fall, the rescue team speculated that Jay might have mistaken the ravine for a path to safety or help. The coroner expressed condolences to Jay’s family, acknowledging the young man’s untimely demise.
The inquest dispelled rumors surrounding a purportedly ‘stolen’ Rolex, with a friend refuting allegations and shedding light on the events leading up to Jay’s disappearance. Despite the uncertainties surrounding Jay’s final hours, his family remembered him as a vibrant, beloved individual whose loss has left a lasting impact.