Jay Slater's cause of death explained as coroner shares ruling
Jay, 19, was found dead in a Tenerife ravine last year, sparking a massive, weeks-long search across the island that saw rescuers scour dozens of miles after his disappearance in summer 2024.
An inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death has heard heart-wrenching testimonies from family members and acquaintances who assisted in the search and recovery efforts, with the proceedings at Preston Coroner's Court concluding today with a verdict from the presiding coroner.
Dr James Adeley determined that Jay "died an accidental death" after falling from a height into the Juan López ravine in Buenavista del Norte. Jay Slater, 19, disappeared while holidaying in Tenerife with friends last summer when he went missing, sparking a month-long search before his body was found in a ravine (Image: Men Media)
The coroner concluded that he had fallen approximately 20 to 25 metres to his death while trying to descend the ravine, resulting in skull trauma from which he would have "died instantly", reports the Mirror.
He stated: "Jay fell at a particularly dangerous area in difficult terrain. He fell approximately 20 to 25 metres, suffering skull fractures and brain trauma from which he would have died instantaneously. Jay Dean Slater died an accidental death.
"This is a tragic death of a young man."
The doctor added: "There was no third party involved."
Dr Adeley suggested that contributing factors to the fall may have included inappropriate clothing, lack of sleep and mountain training, as well as potential after effects of drugs he had consumed.
He pointed out that on the night of June 16, 2024, and in the days following, there was "every indication" that Mr Slater's friends, who were with him on holiday, were worried about him, made efforts to locate him, and took care of his well-being.
The inquest had previously been informed that Jay was officially identified by his finger and palm prints as his body was "mummified" when found. Jay was holidaying on the Spanish island and had been to the NRG music festival at the Papagayo nightclub in the resort of Playa de las Americas on June 16, 2024 (Image: LancsLive)
The post-mortem examination revealed that his body had undergone "extensive mummification" due to exposure to the intense sun for several weeks.
Dr Adeley stated that the evidence indicated that no other person was involved in the death and there was nothing to suggest Mr Slater had been threatened, assaulted, coerced, or feared for his safety.
The coroner told Mr Slater's family, who were present in court, that he hoped the "examination of facts rather than conjecture" during the proceedings had brought them some solace.
Earlier at the hearing on Friday, Mr Slater's tearful mother, Debbie Duncan, paid homage to her son, stating: "He was very loved and our hearts are broken," Ms Duncan said.
"Our lives will never be the same without Jay in it."
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