The mother of British teenager Jay Slater has returned to Tenerife to retrace her son's final journey and seek answers about the circumstances surrounding his death in 2024.
Debbie Duncan, 57, travelled back to the island with her brother Glen as part of a new Channel 5 documentary examining the 19-year-old's disappearance and death.
The family returned to Masca and the rugged Teno Rural Park in northwest Tenerife, where Jay was last seen before his disappearance triggered a major search operation involving emergency services, police, volunteers and family members.
During the visit, Debbie was accompanied by forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd, who conducted the UK post-mortem examination on Jay.
'There was no pain and suffering'
One of Debbie's biggest unanswered questions was whether her son had survived for a period after falling into the ravine and had suffered before he died.
Dr Shepherd examined the evidence surrounding Jay's injuries and explained that the head trauma was so severe that it would probably have caused his death immediately.
He told Debbie there would have been no prolonged period of pain or suffering following the fall.
The conclusion is consistent with evidence heard during the UK inquest into Jay's death, which found that he suffered severe skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries after falling from a high distance.
The inquest concluded in July 2025 that Jay's death was accidental and found no evidence that another person had been involved.
Retracing Jay's final route
Jay disappeared on 17th June 2024 after travelling to the Masca area following the NRG music festival in Playa Las Americas.
After leaving a holiday rental property the following morning, he attempted to make his way back towards the accommodation where he was staying with friends.
Jay spoke to friends by telephone and said he was lost, thirsty and surrounded by mountains. His phone later ran out of battery.
His disappearance led to an extensive search across some of Tenerife's most difficult terrain.
After 29 days, his body was discovered on 15th July in the Juan López ravine near Masca.
During her latest visit, Debbie retraced parts of the route with Dr Shepherd, her brother and local guides in an attempt to understand why Jay continued through the difficult terrain rather than turning back.
'Now I understand it better'
Seeing the landscape herself helped Debbie gain a clearer understanding of the decisions her son may have made while trying to find his way back.
She has previously spoken about feeling guilty that Jay did not telephone her that morning and questioning why she had not called him after seeing a Snapchat post from him.
Retracing the route has now helped her better understand where Jay started, the direction he travelled and how he could ultimately have reached the ravine where he fell.
The family also examined evidence from Jay's mobile phone, including his final calls, messages, battery information and last recorded location.
The case generated intense international attention and numerous conspiracy theories on social media, including claims that Jay had been attacked or targeted by criminals.
However, the subsequent investigation and UK inquest found no evidence that Jay had been threatened, assaulted or coerced, and officially concluded that his death was the result of an accidental fall.
Documentary airs this week
Debbie's return to Tenerife forms part of the new series of Channel 5's Cause of Death, which examines unexpected and unexplained deaths with the help of forensic specialists.
The episode focusing on Jay's death is scheduled to be broadcast in the UK at 9pm on Wednesday, 30th September.
