A coroner has concluded that 19-year-old Jay Slater died accidentally after falling approximately 20 to 25 metres down a ravine whilst attempting to walk back to his holiday apartment in Tenerife last summer. The teenager from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, suffered fatal skull fractures and brain trauma that would have caused instantaneous death, Preston Coroner’s Court heard on Friday.
Senior coroner Dr James Adeley delivered his verdict following a two-day inquest, stating: “Jay Dean Slater died on 17th June 2024 in the Juan Lopez ravine in a remote area of Tenerife. While attempting to descend the ravine Jay fell in a difficult area. Jay Slater fell approximately 20 to 25 metres resulting in skull fracture and brain trauma from which he would have died instantly.”
The court heard that Slater had attended the three-day NRG music festival at Papagayo Beach Club in Playa de las Americas on 16 June 2024. After a night of drinking and drug-taking, including ecstasy, cocaine and possibly ketamine, he left with two men he had met at the festival to travel to an Airbnb in the remote mountain village of Masca.
Fateful Morning Journey
Evidence presented to the inquest revealed that Slater left the Airbnb at approximately 7:45am on 17 June after missing a bus back to his accommodation in Los Cristianos. Bradley Geoghegan, who had holidayed with Slater, told the court he received a video call from his friend that morning whilst Slater was walking along a road and still “under the influence.
“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’,” Mr Geoghegan testified.
When asked by the coroner whether Slater appeared threatened or fearful, Mr Geoghegan replied: “No. I think he probably got there and thought, ‘Why am I here?’, sobered up and decided to come back.”
Final Phone Calls
Lucy Law, another friend holidaying with Slater, received the last known communication from him at 8:50am. She told the inquest that during their call, Slater said he was “in the middle of the mountains” with “literally nothing” around him. His phone battery was down to just one per cent at the time.
“He was frightened and needed a drink,” Ms Law stated, adding that she had advised him to return to the Airbnb but he replied that he couldn’t.
The coroner noted that despite Slater expressing fear during this call, there was no indication across all communications that he was in danger, under duress, or threatened by anyone.
Extensive Search Operation
Spanish authorities mounted a massive search operation lasting 29 days, involving helicopters, drones, sniffer dogs and specialist mountain rescue teams. The search covered multiple ravines including Juan Lopez, Retamar, Las Aneas and Los Carrizales in the Rural de Teno national park.
On 15 July, rescue teams discovered Slater’s body in the treacherous Juan Lopez ravine, described as having “sheer cliffs and deep dense undergrowth”. His Armani bag containing his mobile phone and nitrous oxide canisters was found approximately 20 metres above his body.
“It was a little used area as it has no water and has to be accessed using machetes to cut through dense vegetation,” the coroner explained, reading from Spanish authority reports.
Medical Evidence
Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd detailed extensive injuries including fractures to the left side of Slater’s skull extending to the base, as well as multiple pelvic fractures. He confirmed the pattern of injuries was “entirely consistent with a heavy fall, a fall from height, landing on his head.
“The injuries were so severe I have no doubt he would have been instantly unconscious from the moment of that blow to the head,” Dr Shepherd testified. “Death could well have been instant. Jay would undoubtedly be unconscious and unaware.”
Toxicology results confirmed traces of MDMA, cocaine and alcohol in Slater’s system, though the coroner noted these substances, combined with lack of suitable clothing, sleep deprivation and mountain training, may have been contributing factors to the fall.
Family’s Heartbreak
Slater’s tearful mother, Debbie Duncan, paid tribute to her son at the hearing, saying: “He was very loved and our hearts are broken. He loved his family very much and was not afraid to show affection. He had a large circle of friends who have been left devastated.”
The coroner offered the family consolation that Slater would not have been in pain, given the instantaneous nature of his death. When Dr Adeley delivered his findings, Ms Duncan nodded whilst Slater’s father, Warren, looked straight ahead with arms folded.
No Third-Party Involvement
Dr Adeley emphasised there was no evidence of third-party involvement in Slater’s death. He addressed speculation about a stolen watch mentioned in social media messages Slater had sent, concluding: “The watch is irrelevant to subsequent events.”
The coroner also dismissed the significance of a photo Slater had sent showing kitchen knives tucked into his trousers, suggesting it was likely intended as a “social media boost” rather than evidence of any threat.
There was no one else involved in the death and no evidence to suggest Mr Slater had been threatened, assaulted, was under duress or in fear for his safety,” Dr Adeley stated conclusively.
Broader Context
The inquest heard that on the night of 16 June and afterwards, there was “every indication” that Slater’s friends were concerned about him and tried to find him and look after his welfare. Several key witnesses who were with Slater that night could not be traced for the initial hearing in May, prompting an adjournment at the request of his mother.
Slater’s disappearance sparked massive media interest and prompted widespread speculation on social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Facebook. A GoFundMe page raised over £60,000 to support the family during their search efforts in Tenerife.
The apprentice bricklayer was described by family and friends as a “beautiful boy” who was “always the happiest and most smiley person in the room”. He had been studying at Accrington and Rossendale College and was passionate about football, having played for Huncoat United FC until age 17.
Dr Adeley concluded by telling the family he hoped the “examination of facts rather than conjecture” during the hearing had provided some consolation to them after months of speculation surrounding the teenager’s tragic death.
The coroner’s verdict of accidental death brings closure to a case that captivated public attention and highlighted the dangers of Tenerife’s remote mountainous terrain, particularly for those unfamiliar with the challenging landscape.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
