The mother of missing teenager Jay Slater has expressed her overwhelming gratitude for the support her family has received amid ongoing search efforts in Tenerife. Jay, a 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, has been missing since June 17 after he told a friend he was lost in the mountains. Despite the scorching 25C heat, Jay’s father, brother, and a team of 10 volunteers have been tirelessly searching the perilous mountains of Tenerife, particularly the Valley of Barranco de Juan Lopez near the village of Masca, where Jay was last seen.
Debbie Duncan, Jay’s mother, has been actively updating supporters through a GoFundMe page created shortly after his disappearance. In her latest post, she expressed heartfelt thanks for the kindness and support they have received. She specifically mentioned a local hiking group and a wonderful group of locals who have volunteered to continue the search. Although these volunteers do not wish to accept financial help, the family is supporting them with supplies and is deeply grateful for their willingness to assist.
However, Debbie also highlighted a significant obstacle: bureaucratic hurdles that are preventing experienced search and rescue teams from joining the effort. She explained that these experts need permission from the Spanish authorities to participate in the search. Despite this setback, Debbie assured supporters that they are in constant communication with these groups to explore how they can assist once the necessary permissions are obtained.
Glen Duncan, Jay’s uncle, has also been actively involved in the search, which is now entering its third harrowing week. Describing the ordeal as “just torture,” Glen shared insights from the ongoing efforts. He expressed frustration over the lack of communication from local authorities, stating that the police have not been forthcoming with information. Glen, who was close to Jay, described him as a typical, great young lad with a massive circle of friends who loved having a good time. He emphasized the importance of holding onto hope, drawing parallels with the case of Madeleine McCann, whose parents still cling to hope 20 years after her disappearance.
The search efforts have been extensive, involving foot patrols, search dogs, helicopters, and drones. Despite these efforts, Glen expressed doubts about Jay being in the area they were searching. He described the treacherous terrain and the difficulty of navigating it, even for experienced hikers. Glen recounted how he reached a point where he was no longer looking for his nephew but was trying to find his own way to safety. He speculated that if Jay had wandered off, it would be unlikely for him to have gone far off the path unless he was afraid of someone or something.
The family has also had to deal with the torment of online trolls and sick individuals who have been bombarding them with calls and sharing unfounded theories on social media. Rach Louise Harg, an admin in the official Facebook group for Jay, shared a post on behalf of the family, condemning these actions. She revealed that people had been trying to hack into their social media accounts and had been sharing disturbing posts. Rach emphasized the emotional toll this has taken on Jay’s mother, Debbie, who is already devastated by her son’s disappearance.
Jay was first reported missing by his friend Lucy Mae Law on June 17. He had flown to the Canary Islands with two friends to attend the NRG music festival but failed to return to their accommodation in Los Cristianos after going to stay in an apartment on the north of the island with people he had met. His last known location was in the Rural de Teno Park, a mountainous area popular with hikers. The owner of the Airbnb where Jay stayed spoke out about the morning Jay walked off alone, and his phone last pinged in a vast mountainous area around half a mile north of Masca.
Despite the extensive search efforts, the Guardia Civil in Tenerife has called off their official search. However, the family remains determined to find Jay. Debbie Duncan has expressed her pain and agony over the situation, describing the emotional toll it has taken on the family. She emphasized that Jay is their beautiful boy with his whole life ahead of him, and they are desperate to bring him home.
Mark Williams-Thomas, a former Metropolitan Police officer, has flown to the island to assist the family. He has been conducting his own investigation and has spoken to one of the men Jay was last seen with. According to Williams-Thomas, the man, Ayub Qassim, explained that Jay wanted to continue partying and was invited back to his rental. Qassim recounted that Jay left the Airbnb after being given a blanket and phone charger, intending to catch a bus back to Los Cristianos.
As the search continues, the family is supported by a group of volunteers who are dedicated to finding Jay. Debbie has reiterated her gratitude for the continued support and has urged people to keep sharing and supporting their fundraiser. The family remains hopeful and determined to bring Jay home, despite the challenges they face.
Source: Mirror, LancsLive, BBC
