The tragic case of Jay Slater, a 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, has come to a sorrowful conclusion. Jay, who went missing in Tenerife on June 17, 2024, was recently confirmed dead after human remains found in a remote area were identified through fingerprint analysis. The difficult terrain had delayed the discovery, as the area where his body was found is known for its hazardous conditions.
Jay’s disappearance sparked a significant search effort involving both local authorities and his family. Initially, the Guardia Civil in Tenerife conducted a comprehensive search but had to call it off after 13 days due to the challenging landscape and lack of new leads. Despite this, Jay’s family remained determined and continued the search with the help of volunteers and funds raised through a GoFundMe page, which has collected over £56,000 to date.
Jay was last seen leaving a club with two men and heading towards an Airbnb near the village of Masca. His mobile phone’s last known location was traced to a rugged area in the Teno Nature Reserve, a detail that guided the subsequent search efforts. The search was described as looking for “a needle in a haystack” due to the steep ravines and labyrinthine landscape.
The identification of Jay’s remains brings some closure to his family, although they are devastated by the outcome. His mother, Debbie Duncan, expressed profound grief but also gratitude for the support received during this difficult time. The family plans to use the remaining funds to cover the costs associated with bringing Jay’s body home and any further necessary arrangements.
