Jay Slater’s mother reveals ‘agony’ in new statement after police end search for missing teenager

Jay Slater’s mother spoke of her “pain and agony” in a new statement after Spanish police ended their land search for the missing teenager.

Debbie Duncan thanked the Guardia Civil who had “worked tirelessly up in the mountains where Jay’s last phone call was traced” and was continuing to investigate why Mr Slater had travelled so far away from his Tenerife accommodation.

She said despite their efforts over the past 12 days the family have no more information on his whereabouts.

In a statement issued through British overseas missing persons charity LBT Global, she said: “My son, Jay Dean Slater, came to the holiday island of Tenerife on 13 June with his friend to attend a music festival. On 17 June after not returning to his apartment he was reported as a missing person.

“Jay is a normal guy who is in his third year of an apprenticeship, and he is a very popular young man with a large circle of friends.

“We are a very close family and are absolutely devastated about his disappearance. Words cannot describe the pain and agony we are experiencing. He is our beautiful boy with his whole life ahead of him and we just want to find him.

“We do not have any information on his whereabouts. The Guardia Civil have worked tirelessly up in the mountains where Jay’s last phone call was traced. They conducted a land search for 12 days which involved every resource they had available.

“Although the land search ended, the Spanish police still continue with their investigations into why Jay had travelled to the location so far away from his accommodation.

“We offer our sincere thanks to the Spanish authorities who continue to follow lines of enquiries.”

Ms Duncan also referenced the fake rumours spreading across social media following Mr Slater’s disappearance.

She added: “We are aware of the conspiracy theories and speculation on social media and some websites, and can only describe this as vile, the negative comments are extremely distressing to our family.

“We also embrace the love and support we have received from across the globe. It has not gone unnoticed, especially his home town in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire.

“As a family we would like the world to respect our privacy at this present time.”

On Friday, the Guardia Civil had appealed for volunteer associations, such as firefighters and individual volunteers who were experts in rugged terrain to assist in a “busqueda masiva” – massive search – on Saturday.

The search in the village of Masca, near his last-known location, took in a steep rocky area, including ravines, trails and paths.

He had travelled to an Airbnb in Masca and the two men said to have rented the property were later ruled “not relevant” to the case, according to reports.

TV investigator Mark Williams-Thomas flew out to Tenerife last week after claiming he could solve the mystery behind the 19-year-old’s disappearance in three days.

He said: “We still have a number of outstanding actions, but have given the family a preliminary breakdown of findings. In light of the police search ending I have suggested the family should use the GoFundMe money to continue the search using experts in searching.

“I would appeal again, if you have any ‘direct information’ having spoken to Jay or anyone that was with him overnight June 16 and 17 and have not yet been in contact, please do so.”