The family of British teenager Jay Slater has been left heartbroken after a body found in Tenerife was confirmed to be him. The 19-year-old’s death has been attributed to a fall in a rocky area of Masca. His possessions were also discovered near his last known location earlier. Slater was last seen on June 17 after visiting an Airbnb rental, following the NRG music festival on the island.
The High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands released a statement confirming that Slater’s body was identified through fingerprint tests and revealed that documentation found with the body belonged to him. Matthew Searle of charity LBT Global, which supports families dealing with missing-person cases abroad, said the teenager had died of injuries consistent with an accidental fall from a “considerable height”. Searle promised that the charity would support Slater’s family through this difficult time while arrangements are made to bring him back home and lay him to rest.
Slater’s body was found by a mountain rescue team from the Spanish Civil Guard near the village of Masca. Spanish police released video footage of the search, which showed rescuers climbing rock faces and trudging through scrub. Slater’s mother had heard the news of her son’s death in the company of Searle who said the family were devastated. Slater’s death is currently under an official investigation, which will take longer to complete.
Slater’s high school teachers, primary school teachers and the college he attended as part of his apprenticeship have all issued statements expressing their condolences. Lucy Law, who was Slater’s last known caller, posted a tribute to him on her Instagram page: “Always the happiest and most smiley person in the room, you were one of a kind Jay, and you’ll be missed more than you know.” Hyndburn and Haslingden MP, Sarah Smith, spoke up on behalf of the family, describing the news as “heartbreaking.
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