Body found in Tenerife confirmed to be Jay Slater

Court officials have confirmed that the body found in the search for Jay Slater belongs to the 19-year-old.

Police in Tenerife announced yesterday (15 July) that search efforts had found human remains in the area that Jay, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, had gone missing.

Jay went missing from the northwest of Tenerife back on Monday 17 June, after attending a festival with a group of friends over the weekend.

He was last heard from on the Monday morning after calling a friend and telling them his phone only had one percent battery, and that he 'needed a drink'.

He also said that he had cut his leg on a cactus, and didn't know where he was.

And today, a court spokesperson said that the fingerprints examined in a post-mortem had confirmed the body to be Jay's.

A body has been found in the search for Jay Slater (Family Handout)

The injuries sustained were also compatible from a fall from a cliff, the spokesperson added.

Charity LBT Global said remains were found with the 19-year-old’s clothes and possessions near his last known location on Monday.

Members of a mountain rescue team from the Spanish Civil Guard discovered the body near the village of Masca.

According to a report published by The Sun, the Civil Guard co-ordinated with mountain rescue to recover the body via a helicopter due to 'inaccessible' terrain.

The body was then winched up to the helicopter waiting overhead.

Authorities also said that the autopsy may take some time, due to the fact that the body was 'very deteriorated'.

Jay has been missing since mid-June (Family Handout)

According to LBC, a female investigating judge explained: “In reference to the British citizen Jay Slater, the autopsy with the full identification of the body and the causes of death will take time, because the body was very deteriorated.

“But there is very little doubt about both the identity and the etiology.

"The documentation he was carrying corresponds to that of Jay Slater and everything is pointing to an accidental fall, although that is unofficial pending the final reports.

“The court is saying the official identification will not be known until next week.”

The investigation is reported to be in the hands of a court in Icod de los Vinos.

Jay's family and friends have been searching for him for weeks (Family Handout)

On Tuesday (16 July), Jay's friend Lucy Law shared a heartbreaking tribute to her friend.

She wrote: "Honestly lost for words. Always the happiest and most smiley person in the room, you was one of a kind Jay and you'll be missed more than you know.

"I'm sure you'll 'have your dancing shoes polished and ready' waiting for us all. We all love you buddy. Fly high."