Latest news with #Tenerife
The Guardian
23 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Jay Slater consumed drugs and alcohol before attempting long walk, inquest told
The British teenager Jay Slater had taken drugs and alcohol and had a 14-hour walk to his accommodation before his disappearance sparked a four-week search in Tenerife, an inquest into his death heard. The 19-year-old had taken ecstasy pills, cocaine and possibly ketamine, along with alcohol, before he went to an Airbnb with two strangers, one of his friends told a court on Thursday. Bradley Geoghegan, who had gone on holiday with Slater, said Slater had video-called him after he left the apartment on the morning of 17 June last year. 'I said, 'put your maps on to see how far you were',' Geoghegan told Preston coroner's court. 'It was like a 14-hour walk or an hour drive. I said, 'Get a taxi back', then he just goes, 'I will ring you back.'' The witness said he did not think his friend had any money on him, and taxis in Tenerife insisted on payment upfront before carrying a fare. Geoghegan said he did not believe Slater was fearful or under duress. 'No. I think he probably got there and thought, 'Why am I here?', sobered up and decided to come back,' he said. Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was holidaying on the Spanish island and had been to the NRG music festival with friends at the Papagayo Tenerife nightclub in the resort district of Playa de las Américas. He vanished the morning after going to the Airbnb and was reported missing on 18 June. Evidence heard during the inquest suggested he had left the holiday let, and after failing to get a bus or taxi, attempted to walk back to his own apartment and had fallen from a height into a ravine. A mass search was launched before his body was found by a mountain rescue team from the Spanish civil guard, in a steep and inaccessible area near the village of Masca, on 15 July. Slater's mother, Debbie Duncan, had asked for the inquest into his death to be resumed on Thursday after a number of witnesses failed to give evidence at the last hearing in May. On the night out he had received phone messages from friends telling him to go home as he was 'off his head'. More messages from friends warned him about the 'boiling' heat of the day, but activity data on his phone stopped at 8.51am, suggesting his phone battery had run out. The hearing in May had heard evidence from witnesses including a toxicology expert. The court was told analysis showed traces of drugs, including cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy, along with alcohol, were found in Slater's body. The Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd said his postmortem examination gave Slater's cause of death as head injuries. His body showed no evidence of restraint or assault, with the pattern of injuries consistent with a fall from a height.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Jay Slater 'did not seem threatened', friend tells inquest
One of the last people to speak to Jay Slater said the 19-year-old did not seem threatened as he made his way home from an Airbnb he had gone to with two men he had met in a nightclub in Tenerife, an inquest has Slater, of Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, went missing on the Spanish island on 17 June 2024, shortly after speaking to his friend Bradley Geoghegan on the by coroner Dr James Adeley if Mr Slater "seemed fearful or under duress", Mr Geoghehan said: "No," adding he had "probably... sobered up and decided to come back".A huge search was launched, and his body was found in a ravine near the village of Masca on 15 July. The inquest heard he had taken drugs and alcohol on a night out and had a 14-hour walk Geoghegan, who had gone on holiday with Mr Slater, said his friend had taken ecstasy pills, and possibly ketamine, along with cocaine and alcohol, on the night out before he disappeared. The court heard Mr Slater had been forced to leave a nightclub because he was so drunk and instead of going back to the apartment he shared with Mr Geoghegan, he went to an Airbnb, miles away, with two men they had met on the next morning Mr Geoghegan said he got a video call from Mr Slater, who was walking along a road and was still "under the influence", the inquest Geoghegan said: "I said put your maps on to see how far you were. It was like a 14-hour walk or an hour drive. "I said, 'Get a taxi back', then he just goes, 'I will ring you back'."The witness said he did not think his friend had any money on him, and taxis in Tenerife insisted on payment up front before carrying a Dr James Adeley asked the witness: "Did you get the impression he was in any way threatened or fearful, or under duress in a difficult situation?"Mr Geoghegan replied: "No. I think he probably got there and thought, 'Why am I here?', sobered up and decided to come back."Mr Slater, had been to the NRG music festival with friends at the Papagayo nightclub in the resort of Playa de las Americas, on 16 June last Slater vanished the morning after going to the Airbnb and was reported missing to Spanish police on 18 heard during the inquest suggested he had left the holiday let, and after failing to get a bus or taxi, attempted to walk back to his own apartment and had fallen from a height into a ravine.A huge search was launched before his body was found by a mountain rescue team almost a month later. 'No evidence of assault' Mr Slater's mother, Debbie Duncan, had asked for the inquest into the death to be resumed on Thursday after a number of witnesses did not attend the last hearing in Adeley agreed to adjourn the inquest to trace the witnesses, those who had been with him in the hours before he hearing in May heard from a number of witnesses, including toxicology expert Dr Stephanie court heard analysis showed traces of drugs, including cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy, along with alcohol, were found in Mr Slater's Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd said his post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as head injuries, and Mr Slater's body showed no evidence of restraint or assault, with the pattern of injuries consistent with a fall from a height. 'Off his head' Det Ch Insp Rachel Higson, from Lancashire Constabulary, said police had analysed Mr Slater's phone the night out he had received phone messages from friends telling him to go home as he was "off his head".Phone location data suggested Mr Slater had travelled to the Airbnb and the next morning and left the property at about from Spanish witnesses said they were approached and asked by Mr Slater about buses or taxis to take him messages from friends warned him about the "boiling" heat of the day, but activity data on his phone stopped at 08:51, suggesting his phone battery had died. The next witness, Ayub Qassim, said he and a friend, Steven Roccas, met Mr Slater and his friends out in said he had been in a different venue then later met Mr Slater and Mr Geoghegan getting something to eat after the clubs said Mr Slater asked if he could come back to his and Mr Roccas' Qassim, giving evidence via videolink, told the hearing: "I did say, 'Bro, oh mate, it's so far away from the strip'."There's nothing happening there other than scenery. I said I would drop him off in the morning. He rolled with us." 'Did not steal' The coroner then asked the witness about messages Mr Slater had sent about a watch possibly being inquest was shown a Snapchat video featuring a short clip of a car dashboard with a caption referring to taking a "12k rolly" and being off to "get 10 quid for it".He added: "Jay did not steal no watch. I can say one hundred per cent."Asked to explain the social media post by Mr Slater, the witness said: "He could be boasting to his friends. He's on a buzz, so maybe it could be that. Sometimes people do exaggerate."The coroner said: "But so far as you are concerned, none of that is true?"Mr Qassim said: "No. One hundred per cent. I didn't see a watch. At this point he's just firing off messages."He said when they got to his Airbnb he gave Mr Slater a blanket and pillow and told him he could sleep on the sofa before going off to his own bed. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
BreakingNews.ie
an hour ago
- BreakingNews.ie
British teen who went missing in Tenerife had taken drugs and was 14-hour walk from home
British teenager Jay Slater, who went missing in Tenerife last summer before his body was found in a ravine, had taken drugs and alcohol on a night out and had a 14-hour walk home, the inquest into his death heard. Bradley Geoghegan, who had gone on holiday with Mr Slater, said the 19-year-old had taken ecstasy pills, and possibly ketamine, along with cocaine and alcohol, on the night out before he disappeared. Advertisement Mr Slater, who had earlier been forced to leave a nightclub because he was so drunk, instead of going back to the apartment he shared with Mr Geoghegan, went to an Airbnb, miles away, with two men they had met on the holiday. The next morning Mr Geoghegan said he got a video call from Mr Slater, who was walking along a road and was still 'under the influence', Preston Coroner's Court in England heard. A police officer overlooks the village of Masca, Tenerife, where the search was taking place (James Manning/PA) Mr Geoghegan said: 'I said put your maps on to see how far you were. It was like a 14-hour walk or an hour drive. I said, 'Get a taxi back', then he just goes, 'I will ring you back'.' The witness said he did not think his friend had any money on him, and taxis in Tenerife insisted on payment up front before carrying a fare. Advertisement Coroner Dr James Adeley asked the witness: 'Did you get the impression he was in any way threatened or fearful, or under duress in a difficult situation?' Mr Geoghegan replied: 'No. I think he probably got there and thought, 'Why am I here?', sobered up and decided to come back.' Mr Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was holidaying on the Spanish island and had been to the NRG music festival with friends at the Papagayo nightclub in the resort of Playa de las Americas, on June 16th last year. Mr Slater vanished the morning after going to the Airbnb and was reported missing on June 18th. Advertisement A group of search and rescue workers near Masca (James Manning/PA) Evidence heard during the inquest suggested he had left the holiday let, and after failing to get a bus or taxi, attempted to walk back to his own apartment and had fallen from a height into a ravine. A huge search was launched before his body was found in a steep and inaccessible area, by a mountain rescue team from the Spanish Civil Guard, near the village of Masca, on July 15th. Mr Slater's mother, Debbie Duncan had asked for the inquest into the death to be resumed on Thursday after a number of witnesses failed to give evidence at the last hearing in May. She said Mr Slater's family still had questions about their loved one's death that needed answers. Advertisement Dr Adeley agreed to adjourn the inquest until Thursday to trace the witnesses, those who had been with him in the hours before he vanished. The hearing in May heard from a number of witnesses, including toxicology expert Dr Stephanie Martin. Emergency workers near the village of Masca (James/Manning/PA) The court heard analysis showed traces of drugs, including cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy, along with alcohol, were found in Mr Slater's body. Pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd said his postmortem examination gave the cause of death as head injuries, and Mr Slater's body showed no evidence of restraint or assault, with the pattern of injuries consistent with a fall from a height. Advertisement Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Higson, from Lancashire Constabulary, said police had analysed Mr Slater's phone data. On the night out he had received phone messages from friends telling him to go home as he was 'off his head'. Phone location data suggested Mr Slater had travelled to the Airbnb and the next morning left the property at about 7.45am. Statements from Spanish witnesses said they were approached and asked by Mr Slater about buses or taxis to take him home. More messages from friends warned him about the 'boiling' heat of the day, but activity data on his phone stopped at 8.51am, suggesting his phone battery had died. Marieke Krans from Dutch rescue charity Signi Zoekhonden, which uses dogs, helped in the search. She said the area where the body was found was about a three-and-a-half-hour walk from the Airbnb and was 'really steep, really dangerous', and it was 'easy' to lose your footing.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tenerife teenager Jay Slater had taken drugs and was a 14-hour walk from home
Tenerife teenager Jay Slater had taken drugs and was a 14-hour walk from home Teenager Jay Slater, who went missing in Tenerife last summer, sparking a huge search, before his body was found in a ravine, had taken drugs and alcohol on a night out and had a 14-hour walk home, the inquest into his death heard. Bradley Geoghegan, who had gone on holiday with Mr Slater, said the 19-year-old had taken ecstasy pills, and possibly ketamine, along with cocaine and alcohol, on the night out before he disappeared. Mr Slater, who had earlier been forced to leave a nightclub because he was so drunk, instead of going back to the apartment he shared with Mr Geoghegan, went to an Airbnb, miles away, with two men they had met on the holiday. The next morning Mr Geoghegan said he got a video call from Mr Slater, who was walking along a road and was still 'under the influence', Preston Coroner's Court heard. A police officer overlooks the village of Masca, Tenerife, where the search was taking place (James Manning/PA) Mr Geoghegan said: 'I said put your maps on to see how far you were. It was like a 14-hour walk or an hour drive. I said, 'Get a taxi back', then he just goes, 'I will ring you back'.' ADVERTISEMENT The witness said he did not think his friend had any money on him, and taxis in Tenerife insisted on payment up front before carrying a fare. Coroner Dr James Adeley asked the witness: 'Did you get the impression he was in any way threatened or fearful, or under duress in a difficult situation?' Mr Geoghegan replied: 'No. I think he probably got there and thought, 'Why am I here?', sobered up and decided to come back.' Mr Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was holidaying on the Spanish island and had been to the NRG music festival with friends at the Papagayo nightclub in the resort of Playa de las Americas, on June 16 last year. Mr Slater vanished the morning after going to the Airbnb and was reported missing on June 18. A group of search and rescue workers near Masca (James Manning/PA) Evidence heard during the inquest suggested he had left the holiday let, and after failing to get a bus or taxi, attempted to walk back to his own apartment and had fallen from a height into a ravine. ADVERTISEMENT A huge search was launched before his body was found in a steep and inaccessible area, by a mountain rescue team from the Spanish Civil Guard, near the village of Masca, on July 15. Mr Slater's mother, Debbie Duncan had asked for the inquest into the death to be resumed on Thursday after a number of witnesses failed to give evidence at the last hearing in May. She said Mr Slater's family still had questions about their loved one's death that needed answers. Dr Adeley agreed to adjourn the inquest until Thursday to trace the witnesses, those who had been with him in the hours before he vanished. The hearing in May heard from a number of witnesses, including toxicology expert Dr Stephanie Martin. Emergency workers near the village of Masca (James/Manning/PA) The court heard analysis showed traces of drugs, including cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy, along with alcohol, were found in Mr Slater's body. ADVERTISEMENT Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd said his post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as head injuries, and Mr Slater's body showed no evidence of restraint or assault, with the pattern of injuries consistent with a fall from a height. Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Higson, from Lancashire Constabulary, said police had analysed Mr Slater's phone data. On the night out he had received phone messages from friends telling him to go home as he was 'off his head'. Phone location data suggested Mr Slater had travelled to the Airbnb and the next morning left the property at about 7.45am. Statements from Spanish witnesses said they were approached and asked by Mr Slater about buses or taxis to take him home. More messages from friends warned him about the 'boiling' heat of the day, but activity data on his phone stopped at 8.51am, suggesting his phone battery had died. ADVERTISEMENT Marieke Krans from Dutch rescue charity Signi Zoekhonden, which uses dogs, helped in the search. She said the area where the body was found was about a three-and-a-half-hour walk from the Airbnb and was 'really steep, really dangerous', and it was 'easy' to lose your footing. The next witness, Ayub Qassim, said he and a friend, Steven Roccas, met Mr Slater and his friends out in Tenerife. He said he had been in a different venue then later met Mr Slater and Mr Geoghegan getting something to eat after the clubs closed. Mr Qassim described Mr Slater as: 'On a buzz. Chilled, happy. Mingling in'it.' He said Mr Slater asked if he could come back to his and Mr Roccas' apartment. Mr Qassim, giving evidence via videolink, told the hearing: 'I did say, 'Bro, oh mate, it's so far away from the strip.' There's nothing happening there other than scenery. I said I would drop him off in the morning. He rolled with us.' The coroner then asked the witness about messages Mr Slater had sent about possibly a watch being stolen. Mr Qassim said while still on the strip before leaving for their apartment he saw what he described as a Romanian, 'Lucky-lucky' man take a watch from another person and tried to sell it to him and Mr Slater. He added: 'Jay did not steal no watch. I can say one hundred per cent.' While on the drive to the Airbnb Mr Slater then posted a message to friends on social media, saying: 'Just took a 12k Rolly (Rolex) off some c*** with this Maili (Somalian) kid. Off to get 10 quid (thousand) for it. Off my undies ha, ha, ha.' Coroner Dr Adeley asked the witness: 'You were not involved in taking a watch?' Mr Qassim replied: 'No. And neither was he.' Asked to explain the social media post by Mr Slater, the witness said: 'He could be boasting to his friends. He's on a buzz, so maybe it could be that. Sometimes people do exaggerate.' The coroner continued: 'But so far as you are concerned, none of that is true?' Mr Qassim said: 'No. One hundred per cent. I didn't see a watch. At this point he's just firing off messages.' He said when they got to his Airbnb he gave Mr Slater a blanket and pillow and told him he could sleep on the sofa before going off to his own bed.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Jay Slater inquest LIVE: Brit teen's pal Lucy Mae Law, 20, appears after missing first hearing while on Tenerife holiday
JAY Slater's close friend Lucy Mae Law has finally come forward to give evidence at his inquest after she missed the first hearing on holiday. The Brit made a heartbreaking final call to Lucy, 20, saying he had cut his leg, was lost and dehydrated just before Jay vanished last year. 4 4 4 4 Lucy and Brad Hargreaves, friends Jay was on holiday with, and Ayub Qassim and Steven Roccas, who Jay went to the Airbnb with, all failed to attend the first inquest hearing in May. Lucy's family revealed she was on holiday on the very same island where Jay died and totally unaware the inquest was going on. An emotional plea from Debbie to trace them and compel them to give evidence prompted coroner Dr James Adeley to postpone the inquest until today. Debbie told the hearing in May: "There are things that we want to question. We want these people in front of us. "My son went on holiday and didn't come back so there are questions we need to ask. Please." Lucy's hearing comes after Brad spoke to the court and convicted drug dealer Qassim also said his side of the story. Qassim, one of the final people to see Jay alive, addressed the hearing via videolink from another country. Jay's body was found in a ravine in the remote Rural de Teno National Park last July after an agonising 29-day search. Apprentice bricklayer Jay flew to the Spanish island last June to attend the NRG music festival in Playa de las Americas with two friends, Lucy and Brad. After a night of partying on June 17, the teen travelled to an Airbnb apartment in Masca with two men - Qassim and Roccas. Jay, of Oswaldtwistle, Lancs, phoned Brad after he left the Airbnb at around 8am and attempted to make the treacherous walk to his holiday apartment in sweltering heat. Today, 11:08 By Katie Davis Brad recounts their trip to Tenerife Brad said he and Jay landed in Tenerife in the early hours of June 13. He said they flew to Tenerife with Lucy Law, and took a taxi to where they were staying. Brad said they then went out drinking until 5am and met Brandon Hodgson, Steven Roccas and Ayub Qassim. Today, 11:06 By Katie Davis Brad gives evidence to the court We are now hearing from Jay's friend Brad Geoghegan, who Jay was on holiday with in Tenerife. He said he had been friends with Jay since the start of secondary school. Today, 11:01 By Katie Davis Jay's friend Brad arrives at court Jay's friend Brad Hargreaves - also known as Geoghegan - has arrived at Preston Coroner's Court. Brad was summoned to attend the hearing in May but was on holiday. He is in court today, while Lucy is due to give evidence via videolink. Today, 10:37 By Katie Davis Dr James Adeley leading today's hearing Today's hearing is being overseen by Dr James Adeley, who led the initial hearing in May. Dr Adeley - who has two decades of experience as a coroner - also oversaw the inquest into the death of Nicola Bulley in 2023. He is a qualified barrister and medical surgeon. Today, 10:32 By Katie Davis Jay's dad and brother arrive at court Jay's dad Warren and brother Zak have now arrived at Preston Coroner's Court. The pair spent day after day walking the remote mountains of northern Tenerife after Jay disappeared on June 17 last year. Extra security has been drafted in for today's hearing. The hearing was due to start at 10am, but people are still arriving at court. Debbie, Warren and Zak are all wearing blue heart pins with the letter J on. Today, 10:14 By Katie Davis Jay's friend Lucy Law due to give evidence Jay's friend Lucy Law - who he was on holiday with in Tenerife - is due to give evidence via videolink today. Lucy did not attend the last hearing, and was understood to be in Tenerife. Jay made a final heartbreaking call to Lucy on the morning of his death. The 19-year-old told her he had cut his leg, was lost, dehydrated and had just one per cent battery on his phone. Today, 09:50 By Katie Davis Jay's mum Debbie arrives at court Jay's mum Debbie Duncan has arrived at Preston Coroner's Court for today's hearing. The last hearing in May was adjourned after heartbroken Debbie pleaded for crucial witnesses to be tracked down. The inquest is due to last two days. By Katie Davis Who are the missing witnesses? The previous hearing on May 21 heard how several witnesses had not been located to give evidence. Jay's friend Lucy Law was believed to be in Tenerife, while pal Brad Geoghegan had told the coroner's office he would be on holiday. The two men staying at the remote Airbnb Jay went to hours before his death also failed to be traced. Ayub Qassim and Steven Roccas did not attend the last hearing, despite summonses being issued. Coroner Dr Adeley said renewed efforts would be made to track them down before today's hearing. It remains unclear whether these key witnesses will appear at today or tomorrow's hearing. Today, 09:37 By Katie Davis 'So many unanswered questions' Jay's devastated mum Debbie previously opened up to The Sun about how she is tortured by 'so many questions' over what happened when he went missing. The grieving mum said she 'could not get her head around' why Jay got into a car with two older men after the music festival and went to their Airbnb apartment. School assistant Debbie also questioned why his friend Lucy did not race to pick him up. Fighting back tears, she told The Sun: 'I don't know what he thought he was doing by going with these two guys. I really don't know. 'I can't get my head round why he just didn't go back to his own friends, and went with them. 'In our minds, we think he's not realised where he was going. 'And it was dark. I just think he's not even thought about or knew which direction he was going.' Brave Debbie also told how Jay was a "loving and popular" teen who "had the world at his feet". She also defended a GoFundMe page that was set up to support the family after endless abuse from trolls. Today, 09:23 By Mum's plea to locate witnesses The last hearing was adjourned in May after Jay's mum Debbie Duncan pleaded with the coroner to locate crucial witnesses. The court summoned Jay's friends Lucy and Brad, who he went to Tenerife with, as well as Ayub Qassim and Steven Roccas, who Jay went back to the Airbnb with. But the hearing was told how in most cases they were either "unknown" at addresses held by police or there was no answer. Contact via mobile phone and email also went unanswered. Debbie pleaded with the coroner to locate Qassim and Roccas. She said: "I know you tried to locate them but how can we ever get any understanding? "We know he died, we know he had an accident, but from him leaving that holiday resort to going up there? "We read the statements. There are things that we want to question. We want these people in front of us. "My son went on holiday and didn't come back so there are questions we need to ask. Please." Today, 09:17 By Katie Davis Why inquest farce was more pain for family At the last hearing in May, Jay's family were subjected to yet more torment as an inquest into his death dredged up painful details of his disappearance - while lacking any actual answers. Jay 's courageous mum Debbie Duncan opened up to me just weeks after his body was found about how she was tortured by not knowing what happened to her beloved son before he fell to his death. I was humbled by the bravery she showed in the face of living every parent's worst nightmare on the world stage - relentlessly hounded by mindless trolls. Spineless witnesses failing to turn up to the hearing to provide crucial information was a kick in the teeth for Debbie and Jay's already suffering family. The 19-year-old went missing 13 months ago, and his body tragically discovered 29 days later. So why after all those months did the court failed to bring together vital witnesses - including the two friends he was on holiday with? Today, 09:10 By Georgie English Tenerife hotspot where Jay Slater died is WORSE a year on The streets in notorious Tenerife party town Playa de las Americas, where British teen Jay Slater took a powerful cocktail of drugs before falling to his death is still heaving with blatant criminality. Sun reporters went out to the strip and found people luring tourists into a bar with the promise of 'a free line' of cocaine with their first drink. Two prostitutes in skin-tight bodycon dresses could be seen loitering outside while down the road, 'looky-looky' men circulate, offering Class-A drugs. A police car crawls past, its head-lights on the crowds of holiday-makers, but the officers inside seem blind to the blatant criminality. Student Georgina Haywood, 19, who had just flown in from Manchester with her boyfriend, told us: 'We went into a bar next to KFC and I wouldn't go back again. 'Looky-looky men were all around offering cheap drugs and we've heard if you buy them, they will mug you as soon as they see the cash. 'On the transfer bus over here we were talking to three men who told us they'd been robbed every time they'd come here." Today, 09:04 By Katie Davis Route Jay took was 'steep and dangerous' At the last hearing, Dutch rescue team Signi Zoekhonden told the hearing how the route Jay took was "pretty easy" to begin with but where his body was found is "really steep and dangerous". The volunteers said they "can imagine how Jay thought he was going to make it" from the Airbnb back to the coast. Jay was attempting the treacherous 10-hour walk back to his apartment in Los Cristianos when he called Lucy to say he was lost. DCI Rachel Higson, head of digital media investigations at Lancashire Police, told the hearing that Jay's phone recorded "a lot of steps and inclines" between 7.59am and 8.49am. His mobile last pinged in the mountainous Rural de Teno Park after Jay walked the wrong way from the Airbnb, and DCI Higson said there was "no data recorded" after 8.49:51am. After a month-long search, Jay's body was found in a ravine on July 15 last year - near where his phone last pinged. A post-mortem examination concluded he died of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a fall from height. Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd told the inquest Jay suffered a "heavy fall from height" and the "devastating" effects would have been "immediate". Today, 09:00 By Katie Davis I was there when Jay's body was found – this is why the case still haunts me "You covered Jay Slater, didn't you?" It's a question I've been asked time and again for the best part of a year now. And every time it makes my stomach churn as their eyes light up, hoping I will lift the lid on the ridiculous conspiracy theories they've lapped up. Jay's story is one I have followed from the moment he went missing in Tenerife on June 17 last year - and it is one of those cases that will never leave me. I was never convinced by the relentless armchair detectives - nor the outlets that regurgitated baseless theories. Outrageous claims include that Jay skipped the island on a yacht, fell foul of a drug cartel, and had been tied up hostage with chains. Jay's grieving mum wept as she opened up to me following his untimely death - and as I looked her in the eyes, I could feel the unspeakable toll of pain she was suffering. I was the only reporter in the mountains of Masca when police confirmed Jay's body had been found, and I can still feel the shock pulsing through me after a long 29-day search. Today, 08:56 By Katie Davis Why was the last hearing adjourned? The last inquest hearing into Jay's death was adjourned after his grieving mum begged the coroner to summon crucial witnesses. Senior Coroner Dr James Adeley told the hearing in May that Lucy is among those who could not be tracked down to give evidence. He said Lucy and Brad - who attended Jay's funeral in Accrington last August - "can't be located". Dr Adeley told Preston Coroner's Court as Jay's family sat in silence: "We can't find them. "They have stopped responding to phone calls. "When drugs are involved in a death, the witnesses are less than forthcoming and do not wish to speak to the authorities." Coroner's officer Alice Swarbrick also revealed extensive attempts to trace other witnesses, including Qassim who the Met Police were unable to locate. Mum Debbie pleaded for the coroner to do more to summon Qassim and the other man Jay went to the Airbnb with, Steven Roccas. Dr Adeley paused the hearing before adjourning it to today.
