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Debbie Duncan, a resident of Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, found herself at the center of a social media storm when her son, Jay Slater, went missing in Tenerife last summer. In the midst of the frenzy to locate the 19-year-old, online trolls went as far as accusing her of being involved in his disappearance. The impact of the misinformation spread during the search had a significant toll on Duncan’s family.
Following a 29-day search, Jay Slater’s body was tragically discovered in a ravine on the island on 15 July, making headlines globally. The young man had been out at a nightclub in Playa de las Americas with friends before heading to an Airbnb in the north of the island with two acquaintances he had met. The morning after, on 17 June, he left the property in the Masca area and reached out to friends, expressing that his phone was dying and he was without water.
Debbie Duncan has been vocal about the need for legislation to address the rampant speculation that arises during missing person searches. She has found support in her local MP, who has echoed her concerns about the detrimental effects of such baseless rumors on the families involved. Despite Lancashire coroner Dr James Adeley’s conclusion that Jay Slater’s passing was accidental and free from third-party influence, the misinformation persisted.
Hyndburn Labour MP Smith strongly condemned the ongoing speculation surrounding tragic events like Jay Slater’s disappearance, emphasizing the need for empathy and sensitivity towards the grieving families. In response to the spread of misleading content, social media platforms have stated their commitment to removing information that poses a significant risk of harm. The harrowing experience of Debbie Duncan and her family serves as a stark reminder of the damaging impact of unchecked speculation and falsehoods in the digital age
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