A body has been discovered in the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater, who vanished nearly a month ago in Tenerife. The 19-year-old was last heard from on June 17, when he called his friend Lucy Law to express his distress. He reported being lost, dehydrated, and having just 1% battery life on his phone.
Slater had attended the New Generation Rave music festival the previous evening and traveled to an Airbnb near the village of Masca with two men he met at the event. His last known location was recorded at 8:50 AM in the Rural de Teno national park, a mountainous area popular with hikers.
After extensive search efforts, the Spanish Civil Guard announced on Monday that a body had been found in a steep and "very inaccessible" area near Masca, 29 days after he was reported missing. Authorities believe the body could belong to Slater, who may have died from an accidental fall.
Table of Contents
- Biography of Jay Slater
- Circumstances of Disappearance
- Search Efforts and Discovery
- Investigation and Family Response
Biography of Jay Slater
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Name | Jay Slater |
Age | 19 |
Nationality | British |
Last Known Location | Tenerife, Spain |
Occupation | Apprentice Bricklayer |
Circumstances of Disappearance
On the morning of June 17, Jay Slater found himself lost in the Rural de Teno national park after a night of fun at a music festival. He reached out to his friend Lucy, explaining that he was dehydrated and unsure of his location. His phone's battery was critically low, complicating his ability to navigate back to safety.
Slater had traveled to the national park with two British men he met at the festival, not realizing the vast distance from his accommodation in the tourist area of Los Cristianos. He reportedly planned to walk back, estimating an 11-hour journey ahead of him.
Search Efforts and Discovery
After Slater was reported missing, a large-scale search operation was launched, involving helicopters, drones, and sniffer dogs. The terrain in the area is rugged, with steep ravines and dense shrubbery, making the search challenging.
On July 16, a body was located in a difficult-to-reach area by mountain rescue specialists. The Civil Guard indicated that the body might belong to Slater, suggesting that he could have suffered an accidental fall.
Investigation and Family Response
As investigations continue, questions linger regarding how a young man could vanish in a tourist-heavy area. Friends and family members have expressed their concerns and are seeking answers about the circumstances that led to his disappearance.
Debbie Duncan, Slater's mother, has appealed for information and support during this distressing time. She, along with the charity LBT Global, is asking for privacy as they process this tragic news.