Jay Slater cops tell distraught mum Debbie they are powerless to force pals to reveal full TRUTH of his disappearance
WITNESSES can’t be forced to attend Jay Slater’s inquest, police have admitted.
It comes after the teenager’s devastated mum pleaded with the coroner to summon crucial witnesses after they failed to turn up.
Jay, 19, was found dead in Tenerife 29 days after he vanished on June 17.
The apprentice bricklayer, of Oswaldtwistle, Lancs, died of traumatic head injuries after falling to his death in the remote, mountainous Rural de Teno Park.
But details surrounding final movements still remain unclear – leaving his heartbroken family tormented.
Jay’s mum Debbie Duncan previously told The Sun she was tortured by “so many unanswered questions”.
An inquest this week at Preston Coroner’s Court was adjourned after grieving Debbie begged for key witnesses to be tracked down.
The two friends Jay was on holiday on the Spanish island with – Lucy Law and Brad Hargreaves – failed to turn up, as did the two men who Jay went to an Airbnb with before his death.
Police have now confessed they are powerless to bring these people – who could give vital details of Jay’s final hours to give his family the closure they deserve – to court.
Lancashire Police said: “First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Jay’s family and friends at this distressing time.
“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.”