New forensic evidence has come to light in the case of Jay Slater, the British holidaymaker who disappeared in Tenerife, offering further insight into the final hours before his death.
Slater, who was just 19 at the time, vanished in June 2024 while on holiday in the Canary Islands. His body was found nearly a month later, on 15th July, following a large-scale search operation. He was laid to rest in his hometown shortly after.
Now, more than ten months on, his family has returned to court in the UK as the investigation continues to evolve. During proceedings at the Forensic Court in Preston, new details were revealed about the substances found in his system, new witnesses, and key figures still missing.
Drugs Detected in Toxicology Report
Dr Stephanie Martin told the court that toxicology tests confirmed the presence of MDMA, a cocaine metabolite, and alcohol in Slater’s system. While the precise timing of the drug intake remains unclear, it’s believed the substances were likely consumed in the 24 hours before his death.
Spanish authorities, who conducted their own post-mortem shortly after the body was found, also detected ketamine, though this was not confirmed in the UK due to the time lapse.
Severe Head Injury Confirmed
Pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd, a Home Office expert, testified that Slater suffered a catastrophic head injury consistent with a significant fall. He told the court the trauma would have rendered him unconscious immediately, ruling out the possibility of a prolonged death. The findings are consistent with the Spanish investigation, which concluded he died from severe cranial trauma.
Dr Shepherd also noted the body had shown signs of prolonged exposure to a warm environment, in line with being outdoors for nearly four weeks.
Unanswered Questions and Missing Witnesses
The court heard that efforts are ongoing to trace several individuals connected to Slater in the hours leading up to his disappearance. This includes Lucy Law and Brad Hargreaves, friends who travelled with him to Tenerife, neither of whom has been located by UK authorities.
Officer Alice Swarbrick also confirmed that Ayub Qassim, who rented the Airbnb property in Masca where Slater was last believed to have been, remains missing. He had invited Slater to continue partying at the property before the young man vanished.
Eyewitness Account from UK Partygoer
Josh Forshaw, who said he met Slater at Manchester Airport and later at a party in Tenerife, described him as “super happy” but clearly under the influence of drugs. Forshaw also referenced a conversation where Slater allegedly asked for an MDMA pill.
He further alleged that Slater was involved in an incident involving the theft of a Rolex watch worth over €12,000. Messages shared with the court suggested plans to sell it. A photograph sent by Slater showed knives tucked into his trousers, accompanied by the caption: “In case it goes off.”
Forshaw recalled a final phone call around 7.30am on the day Slater went missing, in which he said he had no money for a taxi. Although he still seemed intoxicated, Forshaw told the court he did not sound distressed or in danger.
