Ayub Qassim, a 31-year-old convicted drug dealer, has broken his silence over the death of 19-year-old Jay Slater, who plunged to his death in a remote area of Masca in Tenerife after leaving an Airbnb he had gone back to with Qassim and his friend Rocky.
Jay disappeared following the last night of the NRG Festival at Papagayo nightclub in Playa de las Américas and was found dead 29 days later after a search that captivated global attention.
In an interview with The Central Club podcast, Qassim detailed his final interactions with Jay, denying any involvement in the teen's death and expressing frustration over his portrayal in the aftermath.
Final Hours at the Airbnb
Qassim explained that he, Jay, and another friend, known as "Rocky," had driven to his rented Airbnb in the mountainous Masca region after the festival.
They arrived at around 6:45 am, having stopped for kebabs on the way. According to Qassim, he provided Jay with basic amenities like a phone charger, blanket, and cigarettes before heading to bed. Jay reportedly stayed on the sofa, texting friends about his discomfort at the Airbnb.
"From the moment he said, ‘I’m going,’ and shut my door, that’s me out of this," Qassim stated, denying suggestions of foul play.
Jay's Disappearance and Tragic Death
At around 8am, Jay reportedly interacted with the Airbnb’s landlord, asking for directions back to his hotel. He was advised to take a bus as she said they come every ten minutes, but when no bus arrived, Jay attempted to walk the arduous journey through the rugged Masca terrain.
He is believed to have lost his footing and fallen while navigating a ravine. An autopsy confirmed he died instantly from traumatic head injuries.
Qassim described a sense of "survivor's guilt" but maintained he had done everything he could to help Jay. "If I had held him back, it could have turned into a situation where I’d be accused of hostage-taking," he said.
Controversies and Conspiracy Theories
Qassim revealed that private investigator Mark Williams-Thomas, who was involved in the case, alleged that Jay had been carrying two knives, a claim Qassim found unsettling. During the month-long search for Jay, videos emerged of him appearing intoxicated at the festival, fuelling speculation about his mental state.
Qassim insisted Jay seemed calm and composed during their drive back to the Airbnb. "He wasn’t off his face. He might have been five hours earlier, but he was chilled," he said.
Family and Community Response
The prolonged search and tragic conclusion devastated Jay’s family. A GoFundMe campaign raised over £72,000 to support the family during the ordeal and give Jay a “proper” send off. Jay’s mother, Debbie Duncan, later expressed gratitude for the support but lamented the circumstances of her son’s death.
Qassim said he felt a bittersweet sense of closure upon learning of Jay's fate. "It wasn’t the outcome anyone wanted, but it brought some finality," he said.
The case highlights the dangers of remote terrain, substance use, and the complexities of accountability when tragedy strikes. Qassim, who served time for orchestrating a drug operation, has vowed to clear his name amid ongoing scrutiny over Jay's final hours.
