Jay Slater's grieving mum retraces his steps in Tenerife for C5 documentary series Cause of Death
Jay vanished on holiday after a night outJay Slater‘s grieving mother Debbie Duncan is set to retrace his steps and trawl through crucial evidence surrounding his final moments in documentary series, Cause of Death.
Jay a 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer, was on holiday with his friends in Tenerife when he vanished in the mountains in the early hours.
A huge manhunt was launched, as Debbie and Jay’s devastated family tried to trace him.
But they were sent on a wild journey amid false claims of kidnapping, drug gangs and even a faked disappearance – fuelled by armchair detectives.
Tragically, 29 days later, Debbie received the news that Jay’s body had been discovered at the bottom of a ravine.
More than one year on, she is now meeting with experts, including forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd, to help in her search for answers.
Jay Slater case to feature in Cause of Death
Cause of Death is now heading into its fourth series on Channel 5. The popular crime series features pathologists and experts as they investigate unexpected, unexplained and sometimes suspicious deaths.
Episode one of the brand new series is centred on the Jay Slater case.
Jay, from Blackburn, disappeared after a night clubbing on June 17, 2024.
In the early hours, he had gone to an apartment in the mountains with two men he’d met earlier that week. It was a 40 minute drive. Jay’s friends, Brad and Lucy, returned to their apartment without him.
At 4am, Jay left the apartment. The first bus of the day wasn’t for another two hours, so he decided to walk. Later than morning, Lucy raised the alarm that Jay was missing.
Jay’s body was found 29 days later. He had fallen 20 to 25 metres and suffered severe skull fractures and brain trauma.
Debbie still has many unanswered questions, so she is returning to the scene with Dr Shepherd, who carried out Jay’s post mortem.
In the documentary, Dr Shepherd says: “The conclusion at Jay’s inquest was a tragic accident.
“We know he had a fall from height but there are still questions I want answering. So we’re going to go back and look again.”
Jay Slater’s mum Debbie to retrace teenager’s last steps
Debbie will meet with Dr Shepherd and go through scans taken of Jay’s body following his death. He decides not to show her photographs because they will be “too distressing”.
Debbie will also meet with digital forensic scientist, Dr Angus Marshall. Together, they will look at Jay’s phone. It was discovered at the scene next to his body.
Jay’s phone is full of his final texts, calls and the record of the battery going down. Crucially, it also logged his last known location before the battery died.
Finally, Debbie will travel with pathologist Dr Shepherd to Tenerife. They will be joined by Debbie’s brother – Jay’s uncle – Glen Duncan.
Glen and local walking guides with retrace the final trek Jay made in an attempt to get back to his apartment.
Viewers will see distressed Debbie cry: “What were you thinking, Jay? Why did you not just turn back?”
Dr Shepherd will explain to viewers: “She doesn’t know why he fell to his death. I want to help this family find the answers to the questions they still have about Jay’s untimely death.”
When does Cause of Death featuring Jay Slater’s case start?
Cause of Death will return to Channel 5 for the new series next week. Episode one, featuring Jay’s death, will air at 9pm on Wednesday September 30, 2026.
The show will last for one hour, with an end time of 10pm.
Let’s hope Debbie gets the answers she so desperately wants.
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