Tragic Disappearance of Teenager Jay Slater in Tenerife After Night of Substance Use

A British teenager named Jay Slater disappeared in Tenerife, triggering a long search that lasted four weeks. The 19-year-old consumed a combination of drugs, including ecstasy, cocaine, and potentially ketamine, along with alcohol, before ending up at an Airbnb with two strangers. His friend, Bradley Geoghegan, revealed in court that Slater video-called him on the morning of June 17, expressing confusion about his location, which was a significant distance from where he was supposed to be. Geoghegan suggested Slater return by taxi, but there was uncertainty about whether Slater had enough money for the fare.

Despite the circumstances, Geoghegan did not believe his friend felt threatened; instead, he suggested that Slater might have sobered up and reconsidered his situation. Originally from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, Slater had been enjoying a holiday on the Spanish island, where he attended the NRG music festival before he was reported missing the next day. It was determined that after leaving the Airbnb, Slater attempted to navigate back to his accommodation on foot, but tragically fell into a ravine.

The extensive search concluded when his body was discovered on July 15 by a mountain rescue team. The inquest, resumed at the request of Slater's mother, Debbie Duncan, included testimonies from witnesses who conveyed concerns about his wellbeing during the night out. Prior messages from friends urged him to return home, noting he seemed disoriented. The investigation found that Slater's phone activity ceased in the morning, likely due to a dead battery, and an autopsy revealed that he died from head injuries consistent with a fall, showing no signs of trauma from foul play.