Jay slater inquest dramatically halted after shock development

MAJOR SEARCH EFFORTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE 12:13, 21 May 2025Updated 12:16, 21 May 2025 Jay Slater's inquest has been dramatically halted after contact was finally made with a witness. An

inquest is being heard into Jay's death at Preston Coroner's Court today (May 21). Jay, 19, was found dead in the Juan Lopez ravine in Tenerife on July 15 last year following a

four-week search for the missing bricklayer, from Lancashire. He had been partying with pals at the NRG music festival in Playa de las Americas before heading north to an Airbnb in the

remote village of Masca in the early hours of June 17. Jay then left the property on foot before going missing in the Rural Parc de Teno. The inquest heard this morning that three key

witnesses could not be tracked down prior to today's hearing. Article continues below Coroner's officer Alice Swarbrick said police had attempted to serve a witness summons on Lucy

Law, a friend who was with Jay in Tenerife, but she couldn't be found. Ms Swarbrick said it is understood that Lucy is currently in Tenerife. Meanwhile, Brad Hargreaves - also with Jay

in Tenerife last June - is currently believed to be on a holiday booked last October, Ms Swarbrick added. Neither could be located by police prior to today's hearing, senior coroner Dr

James Adeley said. Officers have also been unable to find a third key witness - Ayub Qassim, who rented the Airbnb in Masca where Jay visited following the festival. The Metropolitan Police

was called out to find him, but officers could not locate him, the inquest heard. But shortly after midday, the coroner called a short break to proceedings after contact had reportedly been

made with one of the three missing witnesses. Live updates from Jay's inquest can be found here. --- _For the latest stories and breaking news visit __manchestereveningnews.co.uk__.

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