Body Found During Search For Missing Teen Jay Slater
Rescue workers in Tenerife have found a body believed to be that of missing British teenager Jay Slater, who disappeared on June 17th.
Spanish police stated that "evidence strongly suggests" the remains belong to the 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire. The body was discovered with Jay's possessions and clothing, near the last known location of his mobile phone. A formal identification is yet to be carried out.
Jay went missing after attending the NRG music festival and attempting to walk back to his accommodation. His final phone call indicated he was lost, bleeding, and his phone battery was about to die. Despite extensive searches by family, friends, and specialist teams, Jay has remained missing for nearly a month.
The Guardia Civil’s mountain rescue team located the body in the Masca area, a challenging terrain full of cliffs and gorges where they believe Jay may have accidentally fallen. The area was preserved to avoid interference from onlookers during the search.
Lancashire Police, who had offered to assist in the search, were notified by the Guardia Civil about the discovery. They expressed their support for Jay’s family, stating their thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
Friends and family have been heavily involved in the search, raising over £50,000 to aid efforts. Jay’s disappearance has deeply affected those close to him, with his father, Warren Slater, calling the experience "a living hell."
Jay's mother, Debbie Duncan, expressed the family's heartache and described Jay as "a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend to so many." She also addressed the distress caused by online conspiracy theories, urging the public to respect the family's privacy.
Jay's former headteacher, Andrew Williams, released a statement expressing condolences and support for Jay’s family. He emphasised the importance of allowing the family to grieve privately and dispel any rumours.
The body’s formal identification and a post-mortem examination are pending. Jay's friends and family are now hoping for closure after weeks of uncertainty and anguish.
As the investigation continues, Jay’s family and friends are left to cope with the tragic loss and hope for answers about what happened during Jay's final moments.
