Body Believed to be Missing Teen Jay Slater Found in Tenerife
Human remains suspected to belong to Jay Slater, a British teenager who went missing last month, have been discovered near Masca in Tenerife. The remains were found in a location close to where Jay's mobile phone was last detected, along with personal items and clothes identified as his. Formal identification is pending.
Jay Slater, 19, from Lancashire, disappeared on June 17 after being last seen in Buenavista del Norte. He had traveled to the island for a holiday and was last seen with two men he met at a festival. These men were initially questioned by the Spanish police but later deemed irrelevant to the investigation. Jay's phone was last traced to the Rural de Teno National Park, where he made a final call to friends indicating he was lost and had a low battery.
Despite the official search being called off by Spanish authorities, Jay's family continued their search efforts with the support of volunteers and organizations like LBT Global, a charity aiding families of missing persons. Volunteer search efforts were significantly bolstered by the involvement of Signi Zoekhonden, a Netherlands-based non-profit specializing in search and rescue operations, which provided a team of search dogs and experts.
LBT Global confirmed the discovery of the remains and has requested privacy for Jay's family during this challenging time. The charity has been instrumental in coordinating the search efforts and providing support to the family amid the ordeal.
The Guardia Civil had recently intensified their search efforts, deploying helicopters, drones, and specialized search units from Madrid. This demonstrated the authorities' commitment to resolving the case despite the challenging terrain and initial setbacks.
As the investigation continues, the focus will now shift to confirming the identity of the remains and understanding the circumstances leading to Jay's disappearance. The discovery, while tragic, provides some closure to Jay's family and marks a significant development in the search for the young man who went missing under mysterious circumstances.
