**Fresh Mystery Surrounds Jay Slater Case as Key Friends Remain Missing During Inquest**
An inquest into the death of 19-year-old Jay Slater, who disappeared while on holiday in Tenerife last June, has unveiled a new layer of intrigue as two individuals pivotal to the case have not been found despite police efforts. The disappearance of these friends, identified as Lucy Law and Brad Hargreaves, was revealed at the opening of the inquiry held at Preston Coroner’s Court this Wednesday.
Jay Slater, a young bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, travelled to Tenerife with friends in June 2024 to attend the NRG music festival in Playa de las Americas. What began as an exciting trip for the British teenager ended in tragedy, when he went missing after a night out, sparking a mammoth search on the Spanish island.
Presiding over the inquest, Senior Coroner Dr James Adeley explained to the court that despite significant attempts by both the authorities and the legal team, Lucy Law and Brad Hargreaves could not be located to provide their accounts. Both attended the festival and were understood to be with Jay in the hours preceding his disappearance.
In a surprising development, Dr Adeley reported that the two—who could provide crucial testimony—have not only failed to appear, but have apparently gone to the lengths of denying their identities. “We’ve had the police looking for them, but we can’t find them,” Dr Adeley told the court, underlining the complication this brings to proceedings.
The case has garnered widespread public interest, in part because of the unusual circumstances in which Jay went missing. According to reports, after spending a night with friends, Slater travelled to an Airbnb in the remote Rural Parc de Teno, located in the north of Tenerife. He reportedly attempted to walk back to his accommodation in Los Cristianos, a journey that would have taken several hours by foot.
Jay’s disappearance initiated a large-scale search, with Spanish authorities, local volunteers, and British police working together. The search extended for nearly four weeks, culminating in the discovery of his body in the Juan Lopez ravine in the vicinity of the remote village of Masca. His death left friends, family, and the broader public seeking answers, with the inquest serving as a focal point for long-awaited details.
The absence of Ms Law and Mr Hargreaves has only intensified the unresolved questions surrounding Jay’s final hours. Both were reportedly last seen with Jay at the musical event, raising concerns about what they might know about the events leading up to his disappearance and tragic death. Their lack of cooperation and the inability of authorities to track them down introduces new challenges for those aiming to understand the complete sequence of events.
The inquest is anticipated to continue examining available evidence and gathering accounts from other witnesses. Dr Adeley, who previously presided over the high-profile Nicola Bulley case, appears determined to establish as clear an account as possible given the available information, although the absence of key testimonies may limit definitive conclusions.
As the proceedings unfold, public interest remains high. The disappearance and subsequent death of a young holidaymaker in such perplexing circumstances has captured national attention. Many are hoping the inquest will help bring closure to the case, despite the unresolved mystery of the missing friends.
The authorities urge anyone with information regarding Lucy Law and Brad Hargreaves’ whereabouts, or with knowledge pertinent to Jay Slater’s final movements, to come forward and support the ongoing investigation. For now, the Slater family—and the community—await any further revelations that might finally shed light on this deeply troubling case.