A post-mortem found Jay Slater’s death was the result of a fall after he had consumed alcohol and drugs in the hours before he died – but his final hours remain a mystery

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An investigator has put forward a new theory regarding the tragic events that led to Jay Slater’s death.

Ex-detective Mark Williams-Thomas believes understanding why 19 year old Jay ended up far from his lodgings in the northern part of Tenerife is straightforward. A post-mortem indicated that Jay had alcohol and drugs in his system before his fatal fall down a ravine.

His vanishing act on June 17 sparked an extensive search until his remains were found on July 15 the previous year

Stay updated with the Mirror’s Jay Slater blog for further developments….

Williams-Thomas remarked: “Jay was still buzzing at 6am from the alcohol and drugs but his friends wanted to go home, so when Qassim told Jay that he could go back to theirs and continue partying he jumped at the chance.”, reports the Mirror.

The former detective suggested Jay might have been experiencing paranoia, noting a concerning message sent by Jay. He elaborated: “2.35am – Jay sent a cryptic text to a friend saying ‘they’ve got a marker on me’, the friend replied at 3am with the message ‘you need to go home lad you’re off your barnet’. Jay then replied ‘you think I’m going home you must be disabled.’”.

Williams-Thomas added: “We know that at this stage Jay was very heavily under the influence of drink and drugs and it is highly likely that some paranoia was present because his friends were saying he was not making much sense and being argumentative which was very unlike Jay.

“Jay had no official marker on him, and yes he was around people selling drugs and he could have upset people that morning because of his state.”

His investigation at the Airbnb: “Strongly rules out third party involvement (in Jay’s death) from the time he was at the rental.”

The inquest into Jay’s death was postponed last month after his mother appealed for more witnesses to come forward.

She stated: “We want these people to be sat in front of us, because our son went on holiday and didn’t come back, so there’s questions we need to ask.”

Several witnesses were summoned to testify at the hearing at Preston Coroner’s Court but they have either not been found or have been unable to attend.

Among those asked to testify were Jay’s friends, including Lucy Law, whose stepfather Andy Davis said she was unaware of the inquest. The coroner subsequently adjourned proceedings to a later date to collect more witness statements.

The mysterious disappearance and tragic death of 19-year-old Jay Slater has gripped both the UK and international communities since he vanished while vacationing in Tenerife. Now, weeks after his body was discovered in a steep and remote ravine, an independent investigator has revealed a new theory about how Jay may have ended up in such an inaccessible and dangerous location.

Jay, an apprentice bricklayer from Lancashire, had been attending a popular music festival with friends on the Spanish island before he disappeared. According to his companions, Jay was last seen on the morning of June 17, leaving the festival with two older British men whom he had only just met. He later shared his location via Snapchat, appearing disoriented and far from any familiar area. He then made a panicked phone call to a friend, saying he was lost, thirsty, and his phone battery was dying.

For days, Spanish police, along with Jay’s family and hundreds of volunteers, conducted an exhaustive search of the mountainous terrain where he was last known to be. After nearly two weeks of fruitless searching, Jay’s body was discovered in a deep ravine not far from the village of Masca — an area known for its perilous cliffs and rugged hiking paths. The discovery brought heartbreak to his family and intensified the public’s demand for answers.

Despite the official conclusion that there was no initial sign of foul play, many have questioned how a fit young man could end up so far off the beaten path. The terrain where Jay was found is notoriously difficult even for experienced hikers. It is also significantly distant from the road, with no clear trail leading to the spot. This has fueled speculation, including theories ranging from abduction to accidental misadventure.

In a recent development, renowned private investigator Mark Forrester, who was hired by an anonymous benefactor connected to the Slater family, has shared a detailed theory based on his own fieldwork in the area. After retracing Jay’s last known movements and examining the landscape, Forrester believes Jay may have attempted to descend the mountainous terrain alone in a desperate effort to find help.

According to Forrester, “Jay was in a confused mental state and unfamiliar with the landscape. Based on where his phone last pinged and the topography of the area, I believe he tried to shortcut his way back to a main road or civilization by going off-trail.” Forrester emphasizes that the terrain can be incredibly deceptive, with certain paths appearing safe initially before dropping off into steep gorges. “He likely believed he was moving in the right direction, but every turn took him further into danger.”

Forrester also considered the impact of dehydration and exhaustion. With daytime temperatures soaring above 30°C, Jay’s phone call to his friend indicated he was already suffering from thirst. “It’s entirely plausible that, under those conditions, disorientation and heat stroke set in. His decisions may have been impaired, leading him to take greater risks.”

Another detail supporting this theory is the physical location where Jay’s body was found. It was not immediately visible from common trails, and rescuers noted that it was extremely difficult to access. “This area was not one someone would casually walk into,” Forrester says. “It suggests an unplanned descent — a fall or a misstep that left him unable to climb back up.”

Despite the grim findings, no signs of trauma consistent with an attack were reported during the initial examination of the body. Autopsy results confirmed multiple injuries consistent with a fall from height. Toxicology reports are still pending, which could provide more insight into his physical state at the time of death.

Jay’s mother, Debbie Slater, has been vocal about her disbelief that her son would willingly venture into such a hazardous location. She has publicly urged the authorities not to rule out foul play too quickly. “I know my son. He wouldn’t just disappear. Something doesn’t add up,” she said during a recent interview with a British news outlet. Despite the new theory, she continues to push for further investigation.

Spanish police, while cooperating with the family’s requests, have thus far maintained that there is no direct evidence pointing to criminal involvement. However, they have left the case open pending further forensic analysis and witness interviews. Authorities have also appealed for more information from anyone who may have seen Jay on the morning he vanished or interacted with him during the festival.

Forrester’s investigation also scrutinized the role of the two men who last saw Jay. Though neither has been officially named as suspects, public attention has focused on the nature of their relationship with Jay. Forrester notes that “their accounts have been inconsistent,” but he also cautions against rushing to judgment. “Without concrete evidence, we must consider all possibilities — including that Jay made a fatal mistake on his own.”

In the wake of Jay’s death, questions have also been raised about festival safety, the responsibilities of travel companions, and how young tourists are informed about the risks of unfamiliar terrain. Online fundraisers and memorial pages have drawn attention to the broader issues of youth safety abroad, especially in regions with challenging geography.

Jay’s death marks a tragic end to a case that initially sparked hope and resilience in a global audience. Thousands followed the updates, offered support to his family, and shared prayers for his safe return. The finality of the discovery has left many feeling that justice, or at least understanding, has not yet been fully served.

As the case remains under investigation, Forrester’s theory provides a plausible narrative grounded in the physical realities of the environment and the psychological stress Jay may have experienced. It is a sobering reminder of how quickly a situation can turn deadly in remote locations — even without foul play.

For now, Jay’s family continues to grieve while pushing for deeper answers. “We just want the truth,” said his father, who recently visited the ravine to lay flowers near the spot where his son was found. “Whatever happened, we deserve to know.”

The coming weeks may bring more clarity as forensic analyses are completed and more witnesses come forward. Until then, Jay Slater’s death remains a haunting puzzle — one that blends natural peril with unanswered questions, and a young life lost too soon.