An inquest into the death of 19-year-old Jay Slater is underway at Preston Coroner’s Court. Jay vanished during a holiday in Tenerife in June 2024, sparking widespread speculation. His body was found nearly a month later in a remote, mountainous area.
Close friend Josh Forshaw testified that Jay was “dead happy” but “off his head on drugs” the night before he disappeared. Forshaw also received a message saying Jay had stolen a luxury watch and planned to sell it. He later sent Forshaw a photo with knives tucked into his trousers, captioned: “In case it kicks off.”
Though Forshaw didn’t report the photo to Spanish police, he did inform Lancashire Police after returning to the UK.
Pathologist Dr. Richard Shepherd confirmed there was no evidence of assault. “The pattern of the injuries were entirely consistent with a heavy fall, a fall from a height, landing on his head,” he said. Coroner Dr. James Adeley added there was “nothing to suggest an assault or restraint.”
The inquest closes one of the UK’s most talked-about missing persons cases.
