The official search for British teenager Jay Slater is over but the family have vowed to keep on searching for the lad who vanished in Tenerife two weeks ago. We will keep you updated with the latest information in our live blog updates below.
Spanish police have announced that they have ended their search after finding no trace of the 19-year-old, who disappeared on Monday, June 17. One suspicious ex-police officers suspects criminality.
Cipriano Martin, head of the Civil Guard's Greim mountain rescue unit, told reporters on Saturday that Jay cutting his leg on a cactus meant he must have "left the main road" and walked in the hilly terrain. Nevertheless, after nearly a fortnight of searching, investigators failed to find any substantial evidence of him being in the steep rocky area.
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Jay had flown to Tenerife on his first ever trip abroad with friends Lucy and Brad to attend the New Rave Generation (NRG) music festival. This was a three-day event featuring beach, pool and boat parties, as well as raves continuing into the early hours of the morning.
On the final night of the festival, Jay left a rave with two men, described as being British, who he had befriended on the trip. The teenager travelled with the men back to their Airbnb just outside Masca village, in a rural area of the island, where he stayed the night.
The following morning, he called his friend Lucy and told her he was disoriented, needed water, and that his phone was only one percent charged. He is thought to have lost connection shortly after this, at around 8.50am.
It was the last time Jay was heard from, and despite search and rescue teams scouring the island to find him, the 19-year-old remains missing.
Jay's loved-ones are said to be “devastated” and “heartbroken” by the decision to stop the search, and have vowed to stay in Tenerife to continue looking for him.
This is a live blog and we will keep you updated with the latest information.
Key Events
Mystery man who Jay Slater visited at Tenerife Airbnb issues 12-word statement
A man who was at the Airbnb where Jay Slater stayed on the night before he disappearedhas spoken out about meeting the missing British teenager.
Jay has not been heard from for more than two weeks and a major search in mountainous terrain in the northwest of the Spanish island was called off last Sunday by police.
The 19-year-old, from Lancashire, disappeared after leaving an Airbnb in the village of Masca, where he had stayed with two men after leaving a nightclub in the south of Tenerife. He spoke to a friend Lucy Law on his mobile on the day of his disappearance to say he was attempting to walk back to the south, a journey that would have taken about 11 hours, before his phone battery died.
And now one of the men he stayed with at the Airbnb has spoken out telling the MailOnline: “He came to my Airbnb alive and he left my Airbnb alive.” Ayub Qassim is believed to have invited Jay back to the holiday apartment after going to a rave in the south of Tenerife before he disappeared the next day.
What happened this evening? From Jay's mother's new statement to his dad's search
With search efforts having wound down, the remaining developments in the Jay Slater missing persons case have centred on his family's comments to journalists and the public.
This afternoon was no different, with Jay's mum having issued a new statement on a GoFundMe page set up for her son, and Jay's father having spoken from the search area.
Major events from today include:
- Debbie Duncan's new statement speaking about how she plans to use further donated funds
- Locals being urged to check Tenerife properties
- Warren Slater's thoughts about where his son may have walked
- The dad admitting he is "baffled" by his son's disappearance
Jay Slater's family vow to stay in Tenerife until teen is found but admits 'you can't stay forever'
Jay Slater’s dad has opened up on how long he and his family plan to stay in Tenerife.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News earlier today, Warren said Jay's mum, Debbie Duncan, wants to stay until he is found. But the dad acknowledged the difficulty of doing so, saying there is "no straight line to follow" as he continues to search for his 19-year-old son.
He said: "I know his mum wants to, maybe his brother wants to, but you can't stay forever. His mum is saying 'he's not been found, I'm not leaving this island'. But it's hard, it's so f*****g hard. There's not a straight line to follow."
Jay Slater's dad discusses Tenerife route as he searches for missing son
Jay Slater’s dad has discussed the search route he has embarked on as he continues to search for his son.
The dad, 58, was pictured alongside his son, 24-year-old Zak, earlier today as the two combed through the Tenerife countryside. The two were looking through the ravine where his phone last pinged 16 days ago.
The dad told journalists he has walked "as far has you can until it's too dangerous". He said: "We've been all the way down. We've walked as far as you can until it's too dangerous. All I'm doing is a Colombo bit myself. I mean he might be on here, you never know, but as a dad I don't want him to be.”
Jay's dad considers whether son walked towards the sea
Jay Slater's dad has considered that his son may have been heading towards the sea when he disappeared in June.
Warren, 58, who arrived on Tenerife following news of Jay's disappearance, said "maybe" when asked about the prospect earlier today. He added that "surely" someone must have seen him two weeks after he vanished while walking along a trail near to where searches were taking place.
The dad said: "I've done this trail now twice. Every step I've took there's been an opening. If you land on one of those cactus' you're not moving. Surely somebody's gonna find you after two weeks.”
Brit holidaymakers in Tenerife 'turning on phone trackers' in wake of Jay Slater's disappearance
Brit holidaymakers staying in Tenerife have said they are being more cautious in the wake of Jay Slater's disappearance.
Tourists staying on the Spanish island have said they were made more anxious by the missing persons case. They have taken precautions as a result, including leaving their phone locations on and considering new "security measures".
Speaking to Sky News, one holidaymaker said: "I was a little bit more scared coming here and we definitely made sure we had each other's locations before we came which we wouldn't have done before all this happened."
And another added: "I think not less safe but maybe more cautious, more aware. We've all got our locations on... when we booked this holiday we probably wouldn't have even considered the safety measures."
Ex-investigator reveals 'heartbreaking' advice from Jay's friends
A former detective has revealed the "heartbreaking" advice Jay Slater received from his friends before he vanished.
Mark Williams-Thomas said that, when he set off on his approximately 11-hour walk back from the Airbnb where he stayed, his pals told him to turn back. Posting in a long video on X, he said at least two people told him to turn back towards the property.
He said: "Whilst on the walk he talked to and messaged his friends. Whilst walking Jay spoke to at least three people telling them that he was lost with little phone battery and without water. He was told to go back by at least two people to the rental. He said he could not do that and that he’d already been walking 30 minutes and that he was now off-road and was walking on a track where there were loose stones.
“We know that at 8.49 and 8.50 Jay sent his location via both Snapchat and WhatsApp to two friends. We can confirm it was Jay using his phone at that stage and there was no indication that he was with anyone.”
Tenerife locals urged to check areas where Jay Slater went missing
Tenerife locals have been urged to join the search for Jay Slater by checking the exact areas where he went missing.
An investigator participating in the search for the teenager, who went missing more than two weeks ago, has suggested locals search buildings in the area around Masca where he vanished. Former detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who is helping Jay's family, made an appeal to landowners today.
He said: "I want to make an appeal for landowners in the area of the rural park to check any outbuildings and land that they have in the hope that further searches will continue by volunteers in the area not yet searched," he said while adding that he had "spoken to a significant number of witnesses, both here in the UK and in Tenerife, including Jay's friends who are fully engaged with us".
Who is Paul Arnott? The Brit TikToker getting help from Jay Slater's family
Jay Slater's mum said in her recent statement that the family is supporting Paul Arnott, a Brit TikToker who travelled to Tenerife in the wake of news the teen had gone missing.
Mr Arnott, 29, is a self-styled explorer who has spent the last weeks aiding search efforts and creating videos about his own and the official operation online. He joined Spanish police over the weekend during what was meant to be a large-scale search, but had criticism for the teams involved.
He said in one TikTok video: "So guys I've literally been waiting for absolutely ages now, this is a massive PR thing I'm telling you now...There's people everywhere, literally people everywhere and nobody is doing anything."
He added: "I've been up here for ages. Yeah there's people everywhere, everyone's still in their cars... I'm going to crack on with the search for Jay in the area where I think he is... I've been so quiet about this. I'm not doing it anymore people, I'm sick of this crap."
Jay's mum Debbie Duncan, who has been much happier with police efforts, said in her earlier statement today that her family is "looking after" the TikToker, and that donations to a fundraiser set up for the teen on GoFundMe would help support his efforts. She wrote: "We are currently looking after Paul Arnott, putting together a package of any equipment and essentials he needs and going up to do a drop for him."
Jay Slater's dad admits he is 'baffled' by son's disappearance
Jay Slater's dad has admitted he is "baffled" by his son's disappearance as he breaks his silence following the conclusion of dedicated searches last weekend.
The dad, 58, has spoken for the first time after trudging through the Tenerife countryside near where his son's phone last pinged 16 days ago. He questioned why the youngster, aged just 19, who was "fitter than us all put together" was able to vanish overnight.
He said: "You just don't disappear. It's just ridiculous that somebody can just disappear. He's a young boy, he's fit. He's fitter than us all put together. He's played football all his life, he's fit as a flea. You just don't disappear. I don't know... it's just a mystery... it's baffling."
Ex-investigator fears forensics teams may have let vital moment 'pass by'
An ex-detective has said he fears forensics investigators reportedly seen emerging from the Airbnb where Jay Slater stayed with two men may have let an opportunity slip by.
Former investigator Peter Bleksley has argued that Spanish police should keep all options open with regards to the case. He told the Daily Express he fears officers may have "put all their eggs in one basket" and let a vital moment pass by.
He said: "You only get one chance to get right the collection and retention of forensic evidence. Have they let that opportunity pass them by? It appears they put all their eggs in one basket. These errors could be catastrophic and we could find ourselves in a Madeleine McCann situation."
Jay Slater mum statement in full as Debbie Duncan posts new update on GoFundMe
Jay Slater's mum has posted a new update on the GoFundMe page organised by the missing teen's friend, Lucy Mae.
Writing as the total donated passed £48,000, Debbie Duncan thanks people for their "vast" generosity and support. She added that the funds raised on the account would continue to go towards volunteers working in the mountains to find her son, and that she was putting a package together for Brit searchers who have joined the hunt.
She wrote: "Hi again everyone. Your generosity has been vast, and we are so grateful for all of your support and kindness during this unimaginable time for our family. As I said in my official statement, the Spanish police conducted a land search for 12 days which involved every resource they had available.
"Although the land search ended, the Spanish police still continue with their investigations into why Jay had travelled to the location so far away from his accommodation. We offer our sincere thanks to the Spanish authorities, who continue to follow lines of inquiries.
"In the meantime, we will continue to use part of the funds to support the volunteers working hard in the mountains to find Jay. We are currently looking after Paul Arnett, putting together a package of any equipment and essentials he needs and going up to do a drop for him. We are also supporting Callum Fahim and his group with accommodation and other essentials.
"The remaining funds will continue to be used to support the rescue teams who are tirelessly searching for Jay as well as our own expenses as we remain in Tenerife looking for our boy. We will continue to keep you all updated on the progress on our GoFundMe page, and we thank you for your continued support. Please keep sharing and supporting our fundraiser to help us bring Jay home."
Jay's pals reveal vanished teen 'did steal £12k Rolex'
Jay Slater allegedly told his friends on Snapchat that he had stolen a £12k Rolex watch the night before he disappeared.
TV detective Mark Williams-Thomas explained how, while on his way to the Airbnb in Masca, "Jay posted a Snapchat saying he had stolen a £12,000 Rolex from a person."
The ex-cop continued: "We've been unable to validate this in terms of reporting. However, friends of Jay said he would not make this up and the watch was subject to later conversation between the friends."
A 'fight broke out' over a Rolex as Jay partied at rave
Earlier reports suggest officers were probing claims of a nightclub scuffle over the stolen Rolex in the hours before Jay vanished.
It was claimed that a fight had broken out outside Papagayo Beach Club - where Jay was pictured partying - involving a man who said his Rolex watch had been stolen. Shortly after, Police in Tenerife were reportedly investigating a new lead linked to the Jay's disappearance.
At the time, it was not clear how the incident could be linked to Jay's case, but one friend suggested he could've gone to look for the watch. Following the claims, police reportedly turned their attention to CCTV and security camera footage of where the alleged scuffle took place, according to MailOnline.
Bar donates £1k to Jay Slater GoFundMe after 'sick joke'
A bar called Bees Knees in Accrington was slammed after sharing an image on its Facebook page, showing an photo of Jay alongside a picture of a football with the caption, "both not coming home", in reference to England's performance in the Euros.
The post was blasted as "disgusting", with managers for the bar having since deleted it, describing it as "highly sensitive" and "deeply offensive".
The bar has now donated £1,000 to the Jay Slater GoFundMe page, taking the total up to £48,255.
Jay Slater mystery deepens as Spanish locals point to feature 'supposed to make it safer'
Navigating through the dense desert vegetation, along narrow dusty paths, dodging cacti barbs and signs warning of falling rocks that tumble from sheer cliff faces, is a task only for experts. The harsh and unforgiving landscape of the area where Jay Slater went missing can easily turn dangerous with one wrong move.
Locals in the Masca area of Tenerife have said that a major safety measure was implemented last year - a sweeping road. According to the residents, it was constructed to make the area safer and easier for people to access.
Despite these precautions, tragedy struck in the remote mountainous town of Masca on June 17, when the 19-year-old Lancashire lad, 19-year-old went missing. This rugged terrain is where his phone was last tracked and where he was last seen.
Read more: Jay Slater mystery deepens as Spanish locals point to feature 'supposed to make it safer'
Jay was 'feeling scared' when he left his rental
More from former police officer Mark Williams-Thomas, who claimed Jay was scared when he left his rental.
He added: "We have received information to suggest Jay left the rental property feeling scared and that he would not return to the rental, even though it would have been the most sensible course of action, and also where he could have charged his phone and got water."
'We are more conscious and aware'
Brits on holiday in Tenerife say they are “more cautious and aware” after Jay’s disappearance.
Several said they were taking extra precautions as the search for the teenager goes on.
One told Sky News: “We are more cautious and aware. We have got our own locations on. We wouldn’t have considered that when we booked it.”
Another added they were “scared”.
Everything we know about 'stolen Rolex' at centre of investigation
Earlier reports suggested Spanish officers were probing claims of a nightclub scuffle over the stolen Rolex in the hours before Jay vanished.
It was claimed a fight had broken out outside Papagayo Beach Club - where Jay was pictured partying - involving a man who said his Rolex watch had been stolen. Shortly after, Police in Tenerife were reportedly investigating a new lead linked to the disappearance.
At the time, it was not clear how the incident could be linked to Jay's case, but one friend suggested he could've gone to look for the watch. Following the claims, police reportedly turned their attention to CCTV and security camera footage of where the alleged scuffle took place.
Read more: Everything we know about 'stolen Rolex' at centre of investigation
Jay's gofundme ticks over £48,000
A gofundme launched to aid the search for Jay has this morning reached more than £48,000.
The most recent person to donate, Katie Dean, who gave £5 said: "Thinking of you all. I can’t imagine what you’re all going through right now.
"Praying Jay comes home safe and well! Don’t lose hope. Take care of yourselves. Ignore the vile comments. That’s the human race for you."
Jay's family in 'total shock and despair' says ex cop
Mark Williams-Thomas has urged sofa detectives from posting as Jay’s family are in “total shock and despair.
He told the media: “What people often lose sight of, don’t consider, and I am sure for a few, don’t care, is Jay’s family and close friends read a lot of the media and some comments have been so unfair and unkind to a family who right now are in total shock and despair.
"Please just think before you post, and if you would not say it about your missing loved one then don’t say or post it now."
People in Tenerife asked to check out houses for clues
Landowners in Teno Rural Park have been asked to check outbuildings, in the hope of tracking down Jay.
The move is hoped to yield new clues in areas volunteers may have not been able to reach yet on the island.
Ex cop confirms it was Jay using his phone when it ran out of battery
Mark Williams-Thomas has confirmed when Jay’s phone pinged for the last time, it was the teenager using it.
He explained: "We know around 0800 there was a level of communication with the host of the rental property in which she communicated via hand digits to him that the bus would leave at 10am from the bus stop by the apartment. With this, Jay walked off turning left and up the hill.
"Jay had an Apple iPhone. Apple Maps takes you that route if walking back to Los Cristianos, where he was staying. We know then at 8.49am and 8.50am Jay sent his location via both snapchat and WhatsApp to two friends. We can confirm it was Jay using his phone at this stage.”
Ex cop 'unable to validate' stolen Rolex claims
Ex cop Mark Williams-Thomas says he has been unable to validate wild claims made by missing Jay about a £12,000 Rolex.
Speaking in a video statement today posted on social media, he said: “En route Jay posted a Snapchat saying they had taken a £12,000 Rolex from a person. We have been unable to validate this in terms of a reported theft. However, friends of Jay he would not make this up and the watch was the subject of a later conversation between them."
Missing Jay Slater 'was scared' when he left Tenerife Airbnb – and investigator thinks he knows why
A former British police detective working for the family of missing Jay Slater has alleged the teenager was scared when he left the holiday rental where he was last seen.
Mark Williams-Thomas, who has probed a string of high-profile missing persons cases, made the claim about the apprentice bricklayer on Wednesday morning, while giving a public update about his last known movements.
Mr Williams-Thomas, 54, said: "We have received information that would suggest Jay left the rental property feeling scared and that he would not return to the rental, even though that would have been the most sensible course of action, and also where he could have charged his phone and got water."
Read more: Missing Jay Slater 'was scared' when he left Tenerife Airbnb – and investigator thinks he knows why
Spanish police in forensic gear seen at Jay's Airbnb
Spanish police in Tenerife wearing forensic gear were seen at the holiday cottage where Jay had been staying.
The plain clothes cops wore blue slip-ons as they looked around Casa Abuela Tina in Masca, which is available for £40 a night on Airbnb.
'It's a mystery'
Jay’s parents spent more than two hours speaking to Spanish police on Tuesday.
Afterwards, Debbie revealed: “It’s a mystery and he’s still missing."
'Lines of inquiry are open', says Tenerife mayor
A mayor in Tenerife says police on the island are continuing “several lines of inquiry”.
The search was halted around several sites by police on Sunday night.
Mayor Emilio Navarro said “inquiries are open”. He added: “It's not that the search has stopped. Maybe, yes, in the territory, the field search, but other lines are open.”
'Time for Jay's friends to take a polygraph test'
Donators to Jay’s fundraiser have called for friends of the teenager to take a polygraph test as the mystery of his whereabouts continues.
More than 4,000 people have so far donated to the fund.
One, who gave £5, said last night: “I think it’s time Lucy Mae Law and Brad come forward and do a polygraph test, this is a must and a vital step in the investigation. Too many things just don't add up, looking at the body language of both Lucy and Brad it's very clear something is not right here.”
Jay Slater's mother makes urgent plea for son
Last night Jay’s distraught family spoke out about Jay’s disappearance as they said they “just want to find him”.
Jay's mother addressed the public, updating them on the ongoing investigation and calling for the press and public to allow Spanish law enforcement to conduct their work without interference.
The family’s statement read: "We are a very close family and are absolutely devastated about his disappearance. Words cannot describe the pain and agony we are experiencing. He is our beautiful boy with his whole life ahead of him and we just want to find him."
