The family of Jay Slater, a missing teenager from the UK, has made the decision to stay in Tenerife to persist in the search for their loved one. Despite the official police land hunt being called off on 30 June after a twelve-day search, the family has decided to continue their efforts to locate the 19-year-old Briton. Jay was last in contact on 17 June, informing his friend about his failed attempt to walk back to his accommodation, a journey that was estimated to take around 11 hours.
A crowdfunding page has been set up to help finance the search for Mr. Slater, and it has successfully accrued close to £50,000 in donations. Jay’s mother, Debbie Duncan, provided an update on how these funds will be utilized. She expressed gratitude for the exhaustive efforts of the Spanish police, who employed all available resources in the land search. Although the formal search has been halted, the authorities are continuing their investigations into Jay’s rationale for venturing so far from his lodgings. The search in Masca, a northern village close to Jay’s last-known location, encompassed a challenging rocky terrain, including steep ravines, trails, and pathways.
In her statement, Ms. Duncan outlined how the donated funds will be allocated to support the ongoing search. Part of the money will be dedicated to assisting volunteers scouring the mountains near Jay’s last phone signal, providing them with necessary equipment and essentials. Additionally, funds will be used to provide aid to rescue teams involved in the search operation. The remainder of the donations will cover the family’s expenses as they remain in Tenerife, wholeheartedly dedicated to locating their missing family member.
Jay Slater traveled to Tenerife on 13 June with friends to attend a music festival at Papagayo nightclub in Playa de las Americas. Following the event, Jay departed with two men to a small Airbnb in Masca, mentioned by the police as inconsequential to the case. On the morning of 17 June, a distressed Jay called his friend Lucy Law, revealing his disorientation in the mountains, sustaining an injury from a cactus, and running low on phone battery before losing contact. His last known location was near Masca, specifically in the Rural de Teno Park.
Local businesses and individuals have also extended their assistance to aid in the search for Jay Slater. The owner of a nearby cafe, Ofelia Medina Hernandez, recounted her interaction with Jay on the morning of his disappearance, underscoring his determination to walk back despite being offered transportation. Furthermore, volunteers and rescue teams have collaborated in a collective effort to comb through the challenging terrain of Masca in search of any sign of the missing teenager.
Since Jay’s disappearance, various rumors and conspiracy theories have begun circulating, particularly on social media platforms. Some individuals have even traveled to Tenerife themselves in pursuit of clues or leads regarding Jay’s whereabouts, underscoring the widespread interest and concern generated by his case.
The continued search for Jay Slater exemplifies the unwavering determination of his family, the dedication of search teams and volunteers, as well as the outpouring of support from the local community and beyond. The case serves as a reminder of the power of community unity and solidarity in times of crisis, as individuals come together to aid in the search for a missing loved one.
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