Jay Slater’s distraught mum Debbie asked for his inquest to be stopped until several witnesses, including Jay’s pal Lucy Law, who is reportedly in Tenerife, can be found to give evidence

Jay’s heartbroken mum has been dealt another devastating blow(Image: Facebook)

Witnesses who missed tragic teenager Jay Slater’s inquest can’t be forced to attend future hearings, police have admitted.

The probe into the death of the teen who disappeared in Tenerife and was later found in a ravine last summer was adjourned after pals Lucy Law and Brad Hargreaves no-showed.

Ayub Qassim and Steven Roccas, who had rented an Airbnb which Jay visited in the hours before his death, were also not present during Wednesday’s hearing.

It came at the request of his heartbroken mum Debbie Duncan, who begged the coroner: “We want these people sat in front of us. Our son went on holiday and didn’t come back, so there’s questions we need to ask.”

Lucy’s no show at Wednesday’s hearing sparked an adjournment(Image: facebook)

But Lancashire Police delivered a devastating blow on Friday to Jay’s parents, saying: “We have no jurisdiction in such circumstances to compel someone to attend.”

Preston Coroner’s Court heard Jay, an apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancs., was found to have drugs and alcohol in his system before he died from a head injury.

He with two men, including convicted drug dealer Qassim, to an Airbnb, then disappeared. His body was found in a ravine. He had taken cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine, the inquest was told.

Jay’s heartbroken mum Debbie has asked witnesses to come forward(Image: CHRIS NEILL)

Lucy, 20, was with Jay last June at a music festival in Playa de las Americas when he vanished. And is said to have been in Tenerife on holiday on Wednesday.

Coroner Dr James Adeley told her: “In view of your distress and your need for answers we will make an attempt to find them using whatever means we can.”

After the bombshell adjournment, new footage and photos of Jay emerged showing him apparently bragging about an expensive Rolex watch while he was ‘off his undies’ on drugs.

Brad Hargreaves pictured with Jay (Image: bradg14233/Instagram)

Jay messaged a friend to say: “Just took a 12k rolly of some c*** wi this Mali kid off to get 10quid for it now haha off my undies.”

He also posted a final Snapchat picture of himself outside the apartment on June 17. Qassim has always denied any involvement in Jay’s death.

In a statement issued on Friday, Lancashire Police told the Mirror: “First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Jay’s family and friends at this distressing time.

Lucy was said to be abroad when the hearing was held

“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.

“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.”