The search for missing British teenager Jay Slater in Tenerife has come to a tragic end after police confirmed that a body has been found. The Guardia Civil revealed that the body of a young man was discovered in the Masca area after nearly a month of non-stop searching. Mr Slater, 19, had been reported missing since 17 June after visiting an Airbnb with two people he had met at a music festival. Police believe that the person found suffered an accident or fall in an inaccessible zone, and all evidence suggests that it is the missing British man. LBT Global charity, which works with families of people missing overseas, confirmed that Mr Slater’s clothes and possessions were found close to his mobile phone’s last known location, and have pledged support for his family during this difficult time.
The search for Mr Slater has involved his family, friends, police, specialist mountain rescue teams, and volunteers from several countries. Although news of the discovery of the body has come as a shock to his family, they have refused to give up hope throughout the month-long search. Mr Slater’s father described his son’s disappearance as “a living hell”, while his mother expressed her “pain and agony” as they were unable to find any trace of him. The discovery of the body has left the entire Oswaldtwistle community in shock, with many expressing their condolences and support for Mr Slater’s family and friends.
Tenerife’s difficult terrain has presented significant challenges to search teams, with the Masca area characterised by steep cliffs and gorges. The arid landscape is dotted with cacti, and the natural space had been preserved so that it would not be filled with onlookers during the search. In his last phone call before his phone battery died, Mr Slater had told a friend that he was bleeding and needed water, while another friend had indicated that he had slipped off the road he was walking. Although theories about Mr Slater’s disappearance had circulated online, the Guardia Civil has not suggested that any harm had come to him at the hands of other people.
Mr Slater’s family and friends are currently coming to terms with the news of his death. His mother has said that the negativity surrounding the case is “adding to the heartbreak of the unknown”, while Bradley Hargreaves’ mother has spoken out about the harassment their family has received from online trolls. Lancashire Police has extended its condolences to Mr Slater’s family and has offered them its support during this difficult time
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