Who is Jay Slater? Tragic End for Teen as Coroner Confirms Accidental Death in Tenerife

Jay Slater, a 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, captured national attention after mysteriously disappearing in Tenerife on June 17, 2024. Over a year later, the inquest into his death has concluded—bringing answers, though not closure, to a grieving family and a captivated public.

The Coroner’s Ruling

At Preston Coroner’s Court on July 25, 2025, Dr. James Adeley ruled Jay Slater’s death as accidental, stating: “Whilst attempting to descend the ravine, Jay fell in a difficult area. Jay Slater fell approximately 20 to 25 metres, resulting in a skull fracture and brain trauma from which he would have died instantly. There was no third party involved.”

Slater’s body was found on July 15, 2024, nearly a month after his disappearance, in the Juan Lopez ravine, a remote mountainous area in Masca, Tenerife.

Timeline of Jay’s Final Hours

Jay had attended the NRG music festival on June 16, 2024. In the early morning hours of June 17, he left Playa de las Americas and traveled with two men—Ayub Qassim and Steven ‘Rocky’ Roccas—to their remote Airbnb in Masca.

Witnesses say Jay had been drinking and had taken drugs including ecstasy and cocaine, but remained coherent.

Jay decided to walk back to town in the morning despite warnings about the rugged terrain. His last phone call to friend Lucy Law at 8:43 a.m. revealed he was “in the middle of nowhere” and “needed a drink.” His phone died shortly afterward.

Viral Search and Heartbreaking Discovery

Jay’s disappearance sparked international media coverage and volunteer-led search efforts. Despite extensive searches, he was not found until July 15—his bag was located 20 meters above where his body was discovered, suggesting he slipped while descending.

Unfolding Theories and the ‘Stolen Watch’ Rumor

The case was clouded by speculation over whether Jay had stolen a luxury Rolex or Audemars Piguet watch—allegedly the reason he returned to the Airbnb. A Snapchat message sent by Jay hinted at this, but coroner Dr. Adeley dismissed the theory as irrelevant to his death.

“I consider that the watch is irrelevant to subsequent events,” the coroner concluded.

Ayub Qassim, who hosted Jay at the Airbnb, also denied the theft, suggesting Jay may have been showing off.

Key Witnesses and Missing Testimonies

Some key individuals, including Brandon Hodgson (who introduced Jay to the Airbnb men) and Steven ‘Rocky’ Roccas, never appeared before the court, despite repeated efforts and pleas from Jay’s mother, Debbie Duncan.

Mother’s Heartbreaking Statement

Debbie described Jay as “the life and soul,” saying:

“Jay had a wonderful life, full of fun… He may just have been a story to some, but he touched the hearts of the nation.”

“He was always a popular boy and had many, many friends. He was learning to drive and had so many plans… Never in a million years did we predict what was to unfold.”

The inquest brought clarity to the circumstances of Jay Slater’s death—a tragic accident during a moment of disorientation in unfamiliar, dangerous terrain. While rumors and speculation dominated public discourse for months, the official ruling affirms there was no foul play.

Jay Slater’s story is a sobering reminder of how quickly a holiday adventure can turn tragic. His memory lives on, not just through headlines, but through the people who loved him—and a nation that followed his story closely.