Searching for missing teen Jay Slater in Tenerife

TENERIFE: Search continues for the missing 19-year-old Jay Slater in Tenerife, Spanish Canary Islands, having drawn significant attention from media, oth locally and internationally.

The teenager was an apprentice bricklayer from Lancashire, United Kingdon when he vanished on June 17 this year. The British teenager was on a holiday with friends on the Spanish island of Tenerife.

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His last confirmed sighting was after attending the NRG festival in south Tenerife, known for its night raves and popular “boat parties” among European youth.

On June 17, Jay contacted a friend to inform her that he was lost and attempting to walk approximately 11 hours back to his accommodation after missing a bus. His phone battery was critically low during this call.

That was the last time the teenager would contact anyone. Following his disappearance, extensive search operations were initiated by local authorities, including the deployment of helicopters, rescue dogs, drones, and specialised mountain rescue teams.

Initial efforts concentrated on place where Jay’s phone last emitted a signal, before expanding to encompass surrounding areas.

Jay’s family, notably his mother Debbie Duncan and father Warren Slater, immediately traveled to Tenerife. Meanwhile, the Spanish Civil Guard is leading the investigation, with support from other departments, including the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Despite offers of additional resources from UK authorities, Spanish police have thus far declined assistance.

The case has generated widespread media coverage and public interest, with updates and appeals disseminated across various platforms. The case became popular through social media, with fever-pitche speculation and rumours circulating widely among the public as not seen since Amanda Knox case.

Close friends and acquaintances of Jay Slater have given their statements that the Spanish police is using to trace the teenager’s final steps before disappearance.

The Spanish police in particular is interested in gathering information about his last known interactions and activities preceding his disappearance.

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With the search for Jay Slater entering its second week, hopes are waning whether the teenager will be found alive. As his family, particularly mother despairs while continuing the search, Spanish authorities stated they would continue to “exhaust all avenues” in their efforts to locate him.