Jay Slater took drugs before vanishing in Tenerife—but Rolex theft claims were false, inquest hears

Jay Slater, a 19-year-old British teenager who went missing in Tenerife last year, had consumed ecstasy, cocaine, and possibly ketamine the night before his disappearance, an inquest has heard.

The revelation came during testimony at Preston Coroner’s Court, where witnesses detailed the final hours leading up to Slater’s tragic death. Slater had been holidaying on the Spanish island with friends and was last seen on 17 June 2024. His body was discovered four weeks later at the bottom of a ravine near the remote village of Masca.

Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd, who conducted the post-mortem, said Slater died from head injuries consistent with a fall from a significant height. There were no signs of restraint or assault on the body.

Slater, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, had spent the night of 16 June partying at the NRG music festival held at Papagayo nightclub in Playa de las Americas. According to Bradley Geoghegan, a friend who travelled with him, Slater had been drinking heavily and taking drugs. Geoghegan said his friend was eventually ejected from the club for being too drunk.

But instead of returning to the apartment they shared, Slater ended up travelling miles north to the village of Masca. He had reportedly met two men—Ayub Qassim and Steven Roccas—during the night out and decided to join them at their Airbnb.

During the inquest, Geoghegan also dismissed the social media rumours that had swirled in the wake of Slater’s disappearance. One of those claims, made by Slater himself on Snapchat, alleged that he had stolen a Rolex watch. Geoghegan confirmed there was no truth to that claim.

The following morning, Geoghegan received a video call from Slater, who appeared disoriented and still under the influence. Slater was seen walking alone along a rural road. Geoghegan recalled urging him to use maps to check the distance back—an estimated 14-hour walk or one-hour drive—and told him to get a taxi.

“He said, ‘I’ll ring you back,’ and that was it,” Geoghegan told the court. He believed Slater had no money with him and highlighted that taxis in Tenerife require upfront payment, possibly leaving his friend stranded.

The discovery of Slater’s body weeks later by the Spanish Civil Guard ended a massive search that had gripped both the UK and Spain. The ravine where his remains were found is notorious for its treacherous terrain.

The inquest, which originally opened in May, had to be adjourned due to missing or unavailable witnesses. Coroner Dr James Adeley said the delay was necessary to locate individuals who had been with Slater during his final hours. Among them was Qassim, who later confirmed that Slater had asked to return with him and Roccas to their accommodation.

While the circumstances surrounding Slater’s decision to travel so far north remain unclear, the coroner confirmed there was no evidence of foul play.

Jay Slater’s mother, Debbie Duncan, has been present throughout the proceedings and continues to seek closure. The tragedy has raised questions about safety, responsibility, and the devastating consequences of holiday excess.

The inquest continues as authorities attempt to piece together the exact events that led to the teenager’s fatal fall.