Ayub Qassim, a key figure last seen with 19-year-old Jay Slater before his tragic disappearance, has publicly addressed the circumstances surrounding the event in a live YouTube broadcast. Qassim, 31, sought to clear the air regarding his involvement and the swirling conspiracy theories that have surfaced since Slater’s disappearance on June 17 in Tenerife.
During the broadcast, Qassim vehemently denied any wrongdoing, responding to accusations and questions from viewers with a mix of frustration and disbelief. “If I’m guilty then arrest me, what are you on about? When you’re telling the truth you don’t slip up,” Qassim stated, addressing the online speculation head-on.
The disappearance of Jay Slater, who had been attending the NRG music festival with friends, turned tragic when his body was discovered near Rural de Teno Park, close to where he was last seen. The Spanish Civil Guard, after a detailed investigation and the recovery of Slater’s body, indicated that the preliminary autopsy suggested the cause of death was a fall, evidenced by several broken bones.
Qassim, alongside his friend Rocky, was initially detained by authorities in the aftermath of Slater’s disappearance but was released after being deemed “irrelevant” to the case by police. During the livestream, Qassim recounted the events of that night, emphasizing that Slater had asked to stay with them after finding himself locked out and without his friends. “He asked me bro I didn’t invite no-one. Bro I don’t know why he was scared that’s in his own head,” Qassim explained.
Responding to further inquiries about whether he had physically assaulted Slater, Qassim dismissed them as baseless. “No, of course not. Mate, what do you reckon happened to him? He had a tragic accident, you know what it’s like,” he said.
The livestream has sparked varied reactions from the public and further intensified the discussion around the circumstances of Slater’s death. Following the confirmation of the death, Slater’s mother, Debbie Duncan, expressed her profound grief, stating, “I just can’t believe this could happen to my beautiful boy. Our hearts are broken.”
As the community and Slater’s family seek closure, the debate continues, fueled by Qassim’s recent statements. Authorities and family members are now focused on the repatriation and funeral arrangements for Jay Slater, as they attempt to piece together the final moments of the young man’s life
