The inquest into Jay Slater’s mystery death was adjourned after his mum made a tearful plea to find several witnesses with Jay in Tenerife – here are the five people that could help solve this case
Five key witnesses in the mystery over Jay Slater’s death could hold the answers into what happened that fatal night, but they have not stepped forward to give evidence at his inquest.
This led his heartbroken mum Debbie Duncan to call for the inquest to be paused until these people are found, as she tearily told the coroner she still had questions which hadn’t been answered. The inquest was adjourned on Wednesday after his mums tearful plea, saying: “We want these people to be sat in front of us, because our son went on holiday and didn’t come back, so there’s questions we need to ask.”
The 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, had travelled to Tenerife for the NRG music festival in June 2024. He dramatically disappeared after the festival and a huge manhunt was sparked on the island.
A 29-day search for the apprentice bricklayer ensued and he was eventually found in a remote national park, around a three hour walk from the town of Masca – where Slater went with two men he met at the festival. Spanish authorities determined the 19-year-old died after sustaining multiple injuries consistent with a fall in a rocky area.
The inquest heard details about Jay having a cocktail of drugs in his body when he died and a video of him bragging about snatching a £12,000 AP watch while “off his undies”, just hours before his disappearance, was revealed.
There are five key witnesses that police have identified but have not been able to find or bring to the court room for the important inquest.
Lucy Law
Jay’s pal Lucy Law was on holiday with him in Tenerife when he want missing. Lucy is currently believed to be back in Tenerife on holiday and her stepdad Andy Davis said she did not know the inquest was happening.
Andy said: “The police have only just been round today to say that she was due to give evidence. But it’s the first time we knew of it… We had no idea Jay’s inquest was even being held today.”
Brad Hargreaves
Brad, who also uses the surname Geoghegan, was also with Jay and Lucy at the music festival. Alice Swarbrick, a coroner’s officer, said he is also thought to be on holiday at the moment, booked last October.
Just hours ahead of the inquest, Brad took to Instagram Stories, where he posted a full-length mirror selfie, covering his face with an emoji. He posed with his hand in his pocket, dressed in all black.
Brad previously spoke about how he and Lucy chatted with Jay as he attempted to walk back to their accommodation from the remote Airbnb. He said Jay promised to video call him back after hanging up as “someone else was ringing him”.
Brandon Hodgson
Jay’s friend Brandon was snapped at a poolside rave with Jay at the music festival. Brandon also did not show up to the inquest but he has previously cooperated with the police.
Brandon’s mum Natalie revealed, in July last year, the teen had been caught up in a vicious hate campaign saying, “He’s got death threats and all sorts”.
Ayub Qassim
After the festival, Jay visited an Airbnb, in the remote village of Masca, hours before his death last year. The two-bed property was rented by Ayub Qassim, who cops have not been able to track down, and another man.
Mr Williams-Thomas, who helped the Slaters look for Jay, claimed he is the key witness in this case. He said: “The most important witness the police have also been unable to trace is Qassim. It’s from Ayub I have very crucial evidence that has not yet been made public and does provide, I believe, greater context as to why Jay left that property on that morning and took the decision to walk.”
Steven Roccas
Steven was the second person who rented the Airbnb along with Ayub. Coroners said they were also unable to locate the Briton despite making every effort to find the pair.
Jay had been driven to the Airbnb by Ayub and Steven after the festival.