Jay Slater's mother tells inquest he has 'touched the hearts of the nation'
Debbie Duncan paid tribute to the 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, whose death from head injuries was ruled an accident, following a two-day hearing at Preston Coroner's Court ending on Friday 25 July.
Coroner Dr James Adeley ruled Jay, who had taken a number of drugs, had fallen in a dangerous ravine.
The teenager suffered unsurvivable head injuries while trying to walk back to his holiday let across mountainous terrain in Tenerife, in July 2024.
Ms Duncan, accompanied by the teenager's father, Warren Slater, wept as she told the court her son was 'full of fun and was always a joy to be around' with many friends.
He was close to completing his apprenticeship as a bricklayer, was learning to drive and had been 'counting down the days' to his first holiday with friends abroad.
'Not in a million years did we predict what was to unfold,' she said.
'He had a large circle of good friends who have been left devastated at his tragic death.
'Our lives will never be the same without Jay in it.'
Her son's disappearance prompted huge media coverage and sparked a multitude of conspiracy theories on social media.
Ms Duncan added: 'He may of just been a story for the past 13 months, a story full of untruths. He did touch the hearts of the nation and that overwhelms us.
'We ask you to please now let Jay rest in eternal peace.'
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