UK cops release Jay Slater update after body found in Tenerife during search for missing teen
UK COPS have released an update on Jay Slater after a body was found in Tenerife during the frantic search for the missing teen.
Police fear the 19-year-old bricklayer may have accidentally fallen to his death while walking in a remote area of Tenerife.
Lancashire Police released an update on Monday as Jay’s heartbroken family wait for an official cause of death after a gruelling four-week search.
A statement read: “We have today (Monday, July 15th) been notified by the Guardia Civil that they have found the body of a man and that the indications are that this is Jay Slater.
“While at this stage no formal identification has been carried out our thoughts are very much with Jay’s family at this time, and we continue to offer them our support.”
Jay vanished on the morning of June 17 after going to a rave the night before with friends – sparking a huge effort to find the Lancashire teen.
Spanish cops axed the official search less than two weeks in – but a body believed to be Jay’s was found today in the village of Masca – the area he was last known to be.
It is understood the body was found close to where his mobile phone last pinged – with Jay’s belongings and clothes.
But Spanish cops have refused to reveal the exact location where the body was found.
An autopsy is expected to take place in the next couple of days in the northern Tenerife city of La Laguna.
Jay’s distraught family have been updated and a formal investigation by police is set to follow.
A Civil Guard spokesman said the body was found at around 10am – some two hours before going public with the information.
He said: “The large-scale operation involving multiple units had been suspended but as we always said, we never stopped looking for Jay.
“The mountain rescue group continued looking for the missing man when they were on duty and have now found the remains of a person they believe is him.”
Asked whether the force could say exactly where the human remains had been found, he said: “In the area near Masca is all I can say at the moment.”
He added: “We’ve always said the terrain is a very difficult terrain and the search was complicated.”
Jay headed to the harsh mountain range with two men in the early hours of June 17 after a night of drinking.
Our thoughts are very much with Jay’s family at this time
Lancashire Police
He then left in the morning, but after realising he had missed the bus, he began attempting to make the 11-hour journey back to his own accommodation.
One of the men, convicted drug dealer Ayub Qassim, said Jay left the house alive.
The teen made a final frantic call to pal Lucy Law, telling her that he was disoriented, had only one percent of his phone battery, and needed water.
In a previous call to friend Brad, his feet could be heard slipping on the rocks.