Rescue teams on the Spanish island of Tenerife have discovered the remains of a young man in the vicinity where 19-year-old British teenager Jay Slater vanished four weeks ago.
The Guardia Civil, Spain’s national police force, released a statement confirming that rescuers had found a body. Slater, an apprentice bricklayer from Lancashire, disappeared after attending a music festival on the island. He was last spotted walking alone in the Rural de Teno national park, a rugged and isolated region on the opposite side of the island from his holiday accommodation.
According to the police statement, members of the Mountain Rescue and Intervention Group (GREIM) located the lifeless body of a young man in the Masca area, within the municipality of Buenavista del Norte. The authorities suggested that the individual may have died due to an accidental fall in the treacherous and inaccessible terrain where the body was found.
The Guardia Civil reported that various units had conducted a continuous search operation for 29 days, scouring the Masca area daily. They await the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
Following Slater’s disappearance on 17 June, a search and rescue operation was initiated. Despite scaling down the search after two weeks, the case remained open. Volunteer rescuers, including some Britons who travelled to the island, continued the search efforts.
Previously, police had employed helicopters, dogs, and drones in their search for Slater. However, rescue teams noted that the challenging terrain made the operation particularly difficult. One team member described the area as vast and steep, with dense vegetation and numerous ravines complicating the search.
In his last known communication with friends, Slater made a phone call stating he was lost, thirsty, and had only 1% battery life remaining on his mobile phone.
After the music festival, Slater had reportedly gone with some men he had met that night. He was last seen near the holiday home they had rented on the island. Ofelia Medina Hernandez, whose brother owns the Airbnb property, recalled Slater inquiring about bus times to Los Cristianos. She later saw him walking uphill, away from the coastal resort.
Slater’s mother, Debbie Duncan, released a statement expressing the family’s ongoing anguish and criticising the proliferation of online conspiracy theories and speculation surrounding her son’s disappearance. She emphasised the close bond Slater shared with his family and friends, and pleaded for an end to the distressing online commentary.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information to come forward to assist in resolving this tragic case.
