Five bombshell Jay Slater inquest revelations from ‘being on the buzz’ to trying to sell ‘stolen’ Rolex

Jay Slater, 19, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, disappeared in the early hours of June 17, 2024 after attending the NRG music festival with friends on the Spanish island

More than a year after teenager Jay Slater tragically fell to his death in a remote ravine in Tenerife, the inquest into his demise has recommenced.

The 19 year old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, disappeared on June 17, 2024, following the NRG music festival which he attended with mates on the Spanish isle. His body was found nearly a month later in rugged terrain near the secluded village of Masca after an extensive search operation.

The inquest began earlier this year but was adjourned, leaving crucial questions hanging as Jay’s mother Debbie Duncan implored key witnesses to step forward after their initial absence . . . but it started again yesterday, and left more questions than answers.

Best mate’s mystery ‘condition’

Lucy Law was one of the last people to see Jay alive during their holiday to Tenerife. Previously, she failed to attend the inquest which was adjourned in May. However this time she is set to appear and give evidence via video link. Dr James Adeley, the coroner leading the inquest, addressed the room.

He said Lucy will be speaking through video “because of the condition that she is in”. The true nature of her condition was not elaborated on, but the coroner added: “This death has received considerable media conjecture and speculation. This court deals only in fact. This is what can be proved and what evidence is of certain events.

“This is not a forum for wild conjecture and speculation. That is not appropriate in the slightest.”

Jay Slater made a desperate phone call to Lucy stating “I’m in the middle of nowhere… there is literally nothing but mountains” on the day he vanished.

Lucy Law – who jetted off to Tenerife for a holiday with Jay last summer – recounted to the inquest how she “started panicking” upon receiving the call. She recalled Jay questioning her about the toxicity of cacti, to which she responded: “A cactus is the least of your problems, go back to where you have just come from.”

During the conversation, Jay expressed “I can’t go back there”, but she felt that no serious trouble had occurred, noting: “I also feel like, if something had gone on in terms of conflict, I feel like he probably would have said.”

The “stolen” Rolex

Lucy was asked whether she knew about a supposedly stolen Rolex. She denied any knowledge. She also added she was never sent a video or photo of a watch, or saw a photo.

Lucy added: “The word over in Tenerife was that a watch had been stolen but I thought it’s just one of those things. I honestly don’t know what to believe. There were so many theories being thrown around.”

Key witnesses absent once more

Coroner’s officer Alice Swarbrick has stated that exhaustive efforts have been made to gather evidence from key witnesses who have yet to come forward. Steven ‘Rocky’ Roccas, who shared an Airbnb with Jay before his disappearance, was unreachable for today’s hearing.

Brandon Hodgson, a mutual friend of Ayub Qassim – a fellow Brit and one of the last people to see him alive – also did not appear.

Lois Norris, a barrister representing Jay’s family, indicated that Brandon seemed “unwilling to give evidence” according to a previous message exchange. Despite being in Tenerife, Brandon was served a summons multiple times at his Lancashire home by police.

His lack of response persisted despite numerous calls, voicemails, and a letter delivered personally to his mother, Natalie Hodgson.

Steven ‘Rocky’ Roccas was approached by Coroner’s officer Alice Swarbrick on April 17 to submit a statement via email, but he ceased responding to calls shortly after. Ms Swarbrick organised police visits to several London addresses, checked the Police National Computer, and even voting records, yet Steven remained elusive.

Jay ‘overdid it’ during holiday

During their first lads’ holiday, Jay’s friends have conceded that they might have taken their revelry ‘a bit too far’. When questioned about Jay’s conduct on the trip, his mate Brad confessed: “Well it was our first holiday as a boys’ holiday so we might have took it a bit too far.”

Brad disclosed that on the night of June 16, Jay had a wild time indulging in ecstasy and cocaine, and even dabbled with ketamine at some point during their holiday, though he wasn’t sure if it was on that specific evening.

He gauged Jay’s level of intoxication as a six out of ten, noting he was “giddy.” He reminisced how he and Jay were “both just having a laugh with each other.”

Key witness’s “buzz” claim

Ayub Qassim, a fellow Brit but not an old mate from back home, later invited Jay over to his rented Airbnb in the Tenerife mountain village of Masca. Ayub Qassim faced criticism during the inquest hearing.

Ayub Qassim, believed to be the last person to see the Lancashire lad alive, extended his sympathies to Jay’s family at the inquest – but was chastised when he diverted the topic to “kids dying in Palestine.”

He stated: “First and foremost I want to send my condolences to Jay’s family. I want people to also think about the kids that are dying…” At which point the coroner interjected: “You are not here to make political statements.”

On the eve of Jay’s disappearance, Ayub recounted partying with Jay until “5am pushing 6am maybe.” Jay was “on the buzz,” Ayub described. “Head bopping, chilled, happy. He was coherent.”

He then offered Jay a lift home. Ayub recalled telling Jay: “Bearing in mind I live a bit far away but I’ll drop you off in the morning if you want.”

After being informed by a local that a bus would arrive in 10 minutes, Jay opted to take public transport back to his flat.

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