Jay Slater police issue bombshell over missing witnesses

A coroner adjourned the teenager's hearing on Wednesday after Jay's distraught mum Debbie asked for it to be stopped until several witnesses can be found to give evidence

Police have confessed their inability to compel key witnesses to appear at Jay Slater's inquest.

The coroner postponed the teenager's inquest on Wednesday after Jay's heartbroken mother Debbie requested a halt until crucial witnesses, including Jay's friend Lucy Law who is believed to be in Tenerife, are located to testify.

Other friends, such as Brandon Hodges and Bradley Geoghegan, also known by the surname Hargreaves, along with Ayub Qassim and Steven Roccas, who had rented an Airbnb that Jay visited shortly before his demise, were absent too.

Read more Missing Jay Slater witness has 'crucial evidence' about why he chose to walk from Airbnb

A Lancashire Police spokesperson expressed continued sympathy for Jay's family and friends today, stating to the Mirror: "First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Jay's family and friends at this distressing time.

"We supported HM Coroner by making extensive efforts to contact a number of witnesses ahead of the inquest, both in Lancashire and more widely.

"However we understand some of these individuals may be abroad and had already left the country when these efforts were made."

The spokesperson further noted: "We have no jurisdiction in such circumstances to compel someone to attend.

"We will continue to support the coroner ahead of the resumption of the inquest.

"Once again, our thoughts are with Jay's loved ones."

Ex-police detective Mark Williams-Thomas has allegedly obtained undisclosed evidence from convicted drug dealer Qassim regarding the events leading to Jay's death.

Mr Williams-Thomas, who assisted the Slaters in their search for Jay, has revealed new insights into the apprentice bricklayer's behaviour on the day he died.

Mr Williams-Thomas remarked: "The most important witness the police have also been unable to trace is Qassim.

"It's from Ayub I have very crucial evidence that has not yet been made public and does provide, I believe, greater context as to why Jay left that property on that morning and took the decision to walk."

An inquest at Preston coroners court was told that Jay, 19, suffered "devastating" injuries, including a fractured skull, and was discovered in a remote mountainous region of Tenerife last July, 28 days after his disappearance.

A toxicology report indicated that Jay had MDMA [ecstasy], cocaine, ketamine, and alcohol in his system at the time of his death.

The inquest, which Jay's mum Debbie, dad Warren, and brother Zac attended, heard that Jay had messaged friends about being with "two kids" who had stolen a luxury watch and had sent a photo of himself brandishing two knives.

He had been taken to an Airbnb in the village of Masca, roughly 22 miles from his accommodation, before departing on foot later.

Spanish locals Ramon Hernandez and Juan Diaz, who were working near the holiday let Jay visited, provided statements.

Both claimed that around 7.45am on the day Jay went missing, an "English-speaking guy" with a 500ml bottle of Coca-Cola asked them about buses and taxis before heading off.

A distraught Debbie, the mother of Jay, has made a heartfelt plea for witnesses to attend the re-listed inquest as she sobbed: "I know you have tried to locate them but how can we ever get any understanding?".

"We have read their statements and we want to ask them questions. Our son went on holiday and didn't come back so there are questions we need to ask... please."