Jay Slater was a 19 year old from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire who travelled to Tenerife in June 2024 for the NRG music festival and disappeared after leaving a remote Airbnb in the Teno Rural Park. His body was discovered almost a month later in a ravine. A UK inquest in 2025 concluded that Jay Slater died an accidental death following a fall, with no evidence of assault or third party involvement.
For readers searching for clear, verified information about Jay Slater, this article sets out the confirmed timeline, inquest findings and what the case means for families in the North West.
Who is Jay Slater?
Jay Slater was an apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire. His disappearance resonated strongly across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, where many families recognised the situation: a young man travelling abroad with friends for a first independent festival holiday.
At 19, Jay Slater had saved to travel to Tenerife for the NRG Tenerife Weekender, a popular dance music event held in Playa de las Américas. Friends later described him as excited for the trip and looking forward to the festival weekend.
What happened to Jay Slater? Verified timeline of key events
This timeline is based on confirmed reporting, Spanish police statements and evidence heard at the UK inquest into Jay Slater’s death.
Sunday 16 June 2024 – Festival night
Jay Slater attends the NRG Tenerife Weekender and spends time at Papagayo nightclub in Playa de las Américas with friends.
During the night, Jay Slater meets two men staying at an Airbnb in the mountainous village of Masca, within or near the Teno Rural Park in north west Tenerife.
Early hours, Monday 17 June 2024 – Trip to remote Airbnb
After the night out, Jay Slater travels with the two men to their Airbnb near Masca, far from the main southern resorts.
The property owner later reports seeing Jay Slater leave alone on Monday morning, walking along the mountain road.
Morning, Monday 17 June 2024 – Last known movements
At around 07:30 local time, Jay Slater posts on social media from the area near the Airbnb.
Between roughly 08:30 and 09:00, Jay Slater calls friends, saying he has missed a bus, is attempting to walk back and is short of water as temperatures begin to rise.
Mobile data later places Jay Slater’s phone in a steep and remote part of the Teno Rural Park.
He is reported missing shortly after contact is lost.
Tuesday 18 June 2024 – Search begins
The Spanish Civil Guard launches a large scale search operation around Jay Slater’s last known phone location, deploying:
- Mountain rescue teams
- Drones
- Search dogs
- A helicopter
Jay Slater’s mother, Debbie Duncan, and his brother Zak travel from the UK to Tenerife to support the search.
19–22 June 2024 – Search expands
Search teams widen operations across ravines, footpaths and rugged terrain in the Teno Rural Park. Reported sightings in tourist areas are investigated but not confirmed.
Late June 2024 – Search scaled back
After nearly two weeks, authorities scale back the intensive search for Jay Slater, stating that the primary terrain had been covered extensively.
Officials emphasise the extreme difficulty of the landscape.
15 July 2024 – Body discovered
Around 29 days after Jay Slater was reported missing, a body is found in a steep ravine near his last known phone location.
Clothing and personal items link the remains to Jay Slater. Formal identification follows.
Post mortem findings in Spain
A Spanish post mortem examination concludes that Jay Slater died from traumatic head injuries and fractures consistent with a fall from approximately 20–25 metres.
Authorities state there is no indication of homicide or assault.
2025 – UK inquest into Jay Slater’s death
In May 2025, an inquest opens at Preston Coroner’s Court in Lancashire.
Evidence presented includes:
- Forensic reports
- Toxicology analysis
- Mobile phone data
- Police investigative summaries
Medical experts confirm that Jay Slater sustained catastrophic head injuries and fractures consistent with a fall, likely rendering him immediately unconscious.
Toxicology tests detect MDMA/MDA, cocaine and alcohol in Jay Slater’s system. The coroner records these findings but does not conclude that they directly caused the fall.
In July 2025, the coroner formally records a conclusion of accidental death, stating there is:
- No evidence of assault
- No signs of restraint
- No evidence of third party involvement
The inquest confirms that Jay Slater died as a result of a fall in hazardous mountainous terrain.
Official response
Spanish Civil Guard officers led the initial search for Jay Slater, deploying significant resources in challenging conditions. Officials defended the scope of the operation and reiterated that no evidence pointed to a violent crime.
Lancashire Constabulary supported information gathering in the UK, but criminal jurisdiction remained in Spain.
At the inquest, investigators outlined Jay Slater’s final calls and movements, reinforcing the established timeline.
Clarifying misinformation about Jay Slater
The disappearance of Jay Slater generated intense online speculation, including claims of kidnap and organised crime links.
Neither Spanish authorities nor the UK inquest found evidence supporting those theories.
The coroner stated clearly that injuries were consistent with an accidental fall and not with assault or restraint.
Reported sightings of Jay Slater after his last confirmed phone signal were investigated but did not alter the central timeline.
What we now know for certain
- Jay Slater left an Airbnb in Masca on 17 June 2024
- His phone last connected in the Teno Rural Park
- He was found in a ravine close to that location
- Medical evidence confirmed fatal injuries from a fall
- The UK inquest recorded accidental death
- No evidence of criminal involvement was found
Why the case of Jay Slater matters in the UK
The death of Jay Slater resonates across Lancashire and Greater Manchester because it reflects a familiar scenario: a young person travelling abroad for a festival and navigating unfamiliar terrain after a night out.
For UK families, the case highlights:
- Risks of remote accommodation
- Mountain geography unfamiliar to British travellers
- The limits of phone navigation in rugged terrain
- The dangers of walking long distances in heat
It also prompted reflection on how social media speculation can impact families during active investigations.
Fact box: Jay Slater
- Name: Jay Slater
- Age: 19
- From: Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire
- Missing from: Teno Rural Park, Tenerife
- Reported missing: 17 June 2024
- Body found: 15 July 2024
- Cause of death: Traumatic head injury from fall
- Inquest verdict: Accidental death
- Third party involvement: None found
FAQ: Jay Slater
Was Jay Slater murdered?
No. Spanish authorities and the UK coroner found no evidence of homicide. His death was recorded as accidental.
Where did Jay Slater die?
Jay Slater died in a steep ravine area in or near the Teno Rural Park in north west Tenerife.
What did toxicology show?
Tests identified MDMA/MDA, cocaine and alcohol. The inquest did not rule these as the direct cause of the fall.
Did the inquest find criminal involvement?
No. The coroner stated there was no evidence of assault, restraint or third party involvement.
Is the case of Jay Slater closed?
The UK inquest has concluded and there is no indication of an ongoing criminal investigation in Spain.
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