Spanish police explain why they continued ‘discreet’ search for Jay Slater after official search was called off
Spanish police continued a ‘discreet’ search after the official search for missing Brit Jay Slater was called off after a couple of weeks.
The apprentice bricklayer, from Lancashire, has been missing in Tenerife for 29 days and was last seen in the early hours on 17 June.
Along with his friends, the 19-year-old attended the New Rave Generation festival on 16 June.
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He was split up from his group and decided to stay out with two men, later going back to their Airbnb in the evening.
Ayub Qassim, one of the men he stayed with, said he witnessed Jay leave the property on foot in the morning after 'refusing a lift'.
Jay's friend Lucy then claimed he rang her on low battery to tell her he was lost.
At 9.04am he was reported missing.
The official police search was called off on (30 June), though the Civil Guard said they'd continue to respond to tip-offs and new information.
And in an update today (15 July), the Civil Guard said in a statement that they had found human remains.
“After 29 constant days of searching the lifeless body of a young man has been found in the Masca area," a spokesperson said, noting that they are still 'pending full identification'.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police added: "We have today (Monday, July 15) been notified by the Guardia Civil that they have found the body of a man and that the indications are that this is Jay Slater.
"While at this stage no formal identification has been carried out our thoughts are very much with Jay’s family at this time, and we continue to offer them our support."
Meanwhile, Sky News' chief North of England correspondent Greg Milam has reported today that Spanish authorities said in their statement that they carried out an 'incessant and discreet' search over the past 29 days.
"They were very concerned about the risks that some amateur detectives were compromising the search," Milam said.
"For the family and the community here, this is definitely not the end they were hoping for."
Travelling to Jay's hometown this afternoon, the journalist added: "It's been nearly a month for the family, who have been hoping for a different outcome.
"There are blue ribbons on the railings of the church here because the community had also shown its support for the family and for those carrying out searches."
British overseas missing persons charity LBT Global has also said: "LBT Global is saddened to announce that a body found in Tenerife does look to be that of Jay Slater.
"It is understood the body was found close to the site of his mobile phone’s last location. Although formal identification is yet to be carried out, the body was found with Mr Slater’s possessions and clothes.
"A post mortem and forensic enquiries will follow. LBT Global are supporting the family at this distressing time and ask for everyone to afford them space and privacy to come to terms with the news."
Jay Slater's disappearance: Timeline of key moments
Sunday 16 June
Jay attends the New Rave Generation music festival with friends at Papagayo nightclub in the tourist resort of Playa de las Americas in the south of the island.
Monday 17 June
In the early hours of Monday, Jay goes to stay in an apartment in the north of the island with people he had met over the course of the night.
7.30am
Jay posts a picture on Snapchat from the doorway of the property he stayed at overnight, tagged as being in Rural de Teno park.
8.30am
He calls his friend, Lucy Law, telling her he had attempted to walk back to his accommodation after missing his bus – a journey that would take more than ten hours.
He said he had 'cut his leg' on a cactus and had 'no idea where he was'.
He also said his phone was on one percent battery. His last known location is Rural de Teno park.
9.04am
He is reported missing.
Tuesday 18 June
After friends spend the previous day searching to no avail, local police and mountain rescue teams scour Rural de Teno park for Jay.
His family fly out to Tenerife to join the search.
Wednesday 19 June
The search is temporarily moved to the Los Cristianos area in the south of the island due to a potential lead, but this amounts to nothing and the search returns north.
Jay’s mum Debbie Duncan says she fears her son had 'been taken against his will'.
Sunday 23 June
TV detective Mark Williams-Thomas offers his team's expertise in the search for Jay. He writes on X: "If [Jay's family] give me total access and with feet on the ground I will very quickly be able to say if his disappearance is him alone or if it has third party involvement."
Sunday 30 June
The Tenerife Civil Guard announce they are ending the search for Jay after 13 days, but the investigation remains open and they will follow up any new leads. Jay's family vow to continue the search themselves.
Monday 15 July
Police announce that human remains of a 'young man' have been found. Formal identification has not yet taken place.
Topics: Jay Slater, UK News
Anish Vij