Tenerife, Canary Islands – The month-long search for missing British teenager Jay Slater has ended in tragedy as search teams discovered a body believed to be his. The discovery was made in the rugged Masca area after an exhaustive 29-day search involving the Guardia Civil and mountain rescue units.
Tragic Discovery
The Guardia Civil announced that a young man’s body was found in an “inaccessible zone,” with initial evidence suggesting an accident or fall. The remains were located near Mr. Slater’s clothes and possessions, close to his mobile phone’s last known location. Full identification is pending, but all signs point to the body being that of the 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, who disappeared on June 17.
Search Efforts and Family’s Agony
Jay Slater was last seen visiting an Airbnb with friends after attending a music festival on the island. The search for him has been relentless, involving family, friends, and various rescue teams, including Dutch mountain rescuers. Despite the Guardia Civil calling off their official search on June 30, Slater’s family continued their efforts, driven by hope and community support.
Family and Community Support
The charity LBT Global, assisting families of missing persons abroad, has been supporting Slater’s family throughout this ordeal. The family’s distress was compounded by the emotional toll of relentless online speculation and trolling, adding to their grief.
Last Known Moments
Jay Slater’s last known communication was a distressing phone call to his friend, Lucy Mae Law, indicating he was bleeding and in need of water. Another friend, Brad Hargreaves, received a video call from Slater, showing he had slipped off a road. These calls were made shortly before his phone battery died, leaving his whereabouts a mystery until now.
Online Speculation and Family Struggles
In the wake of Slater’s disappearance, social media buzzed with unverified theories and false information, leading to significant distress for his family and friends. The Guardia Civil has maintained that there was no evidence of foul play, focusing on the likely scenario of a tragic accident.
Community Fundraising and Hope
An official fundraising page raised over £50,000 to aid search efforts, highlighting the community’s support and hope for Slater’s safe return. His friend, Lucy Mae Law, described him as a “normal, hardworking young lad from Lancashire, loved by all who knew him.” The challenging terrain of Tenerife, with its steep cliffs and arid landscape, made the search particularly difficult.
Guardia Civil’s Continued Investigation
While the immediate search has concluded with this discovery, the Guardia Civil continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Slater’s death. The family is now left to process their grief and the community to mourn the loss of a beloved young man.
A Community in Mourning
The discovery of Jay Slater’s body marks a heart-breaking end to a month of hope and anguish. As the investigation continues, the support for his family remains strong, with calls for respect and privacy as they come to terms with this tragic loss.
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