Support truly
independent journalism
Support Now
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
Jay Slater’s family have been urged to use fundraising donations to hire “experts” to continue the search for the missing teenager.
Spanish police said the hunt for the19-year-old from Lancashirehad ended, with the case remaining open on Sunday as the gruelling search entered another week.
But his family have vowed to carry on looking for him regardless.
TV detective Mark Williams-Thomas flew out to conduct his own investigation and has urged the family to use some of the £46,000 raised to help continue the search.
He wrote on X: “In light of the police search ending. I have suggested the family should use the GoFundMe money to continue the search using experts in searching.”
It comes as an amateur sleuth claimed to be following an unofficial “new clue”.
TikTok climberPaul Arnott, who has beensearching for Jay in Tenerife, said that a pair of sunglasses similar to the ones Jay was last seen wearing had been found close to where his mobile phone last pinged.
Recommended
- Jay Slater’s family continue search a fortnight on from disappearance as police call off operation
- Britons using new safety measures in Tenerife after Jay Slater disappearance
- Jay Slater case ‘doesn’t add up’ ex-Met officer says as he urges Spanish police to let British force help
- Having seen the area first hand, here’s why so little progress has been made in finding Jay Slater
- British hiker, 70, found dead in Spain as ‘massive’ search operation for Jay Slater begins
Jay Slater’s friend reveals details of final phone call
One of Jay Slater’s closest friends has revealed details of a phone call which took place shortly before he disappeared in the mountains of Tenerife.
An emotional Brad Hargreaves said that he heard the teenager sliding on gravel and that he had encouraged him to order a taxi, after they realised he had travelled miles away from their accommodation.
The duo had attended the New Rave Generation festival in Papagayo’s nightclub in the southern tourist hotspot of Playa de Las Americas, with Mr Slater returning to an AirBnb with two older men in in the small village of Masca.
Jay Slater’s friend reveals details of phone call before going missing in Tenerife
Brad Hargreaves urged his friend to get a taxi before hearing his feet sliding on stones
Alexander Butler30 June 2024 17:30
The strip popular with teenagers where Jay Slater spent his night before disappearing
Lined with garish neon signs, booming music and ridiculously cheap drink deals, Veronica’s Strip in Tenerife could be seen as a British teenager’s heaven or a nightmare.
Young Britons appear to be the main clientele along the popular street in Playa de Las Americas, with hundreds gathering this week to celebrate the end of their A-Level results.
It was here that Jay Slater spent his Sunday evening clubbing, before disappearing 37km away in the mountain region of Rural de Teno national park, with few clues leading as to why the teenager would travel such a distance.
The Independent’s Holly Evans reports from Tenerife:
The strip popular with teenagers where Jay Slater spent his night before disappearing
Drugs are widely available along the street which is crowded with nightclubs and bars
Alexander Butler30 June 2024 18:30
An Irish tourist who was found after vanishing in Tenerife
The family of missing Jay Slater are sick with worry about their son - but are still holding out hope he may be found alive after disappearing in Tenerife.
But the story of an Irish tourist who also vanished on the Spanish island last year to be found alive a few days later suggests all may not be lost in the missing person search for Mr Slater.
Reports from last year tell of how Ryan Cooney, who was aged 28 at the time, was last seen leaving his hotel Paraiso del Sol apartments in Playa de las Americas on 9 November 2023.
2023 disappearance of tourist in Tenerife gives glimmer of hope in Jay Slater hunt
Ryan Cooney’s story offers hope to Jay Slater’s family that he could be found alive on the island
Alexander Butler30 June 2024 19:30
On the ground with the desperate search for missing Jay Slater in Tenerife
The Independent’s Holly Evans reports from Tenerife:
On the ground with the desperate search for missing Jay Slater in Tenerife
Deep ravines, sharp drops and cacti hinder search efforts for teenager in the mountainous terrain
Alexander Butler30 June 2024 20:30
Jay Slater’s family are ‘utterly broken’ and ‘still holding out hope’ to find teen in Tenerife
Jay Slater’s family are ‘utterly broken’ and ‘holding out hope’ to find teen
His relatives and friends have also been subjected to vile social media abuse since the teenager went missing last Monday
Alexander Butler30 June 2024 21:30
Are TikTokers and Facebook sleuths drowning out actual leads in the hunt for Jay Slater?
Fake rumours of a body being found in the hunt for Jay Slater had spread like wildfire across Facebook, TikTok and other social media sites as thousands of users share disinformation.
A mocked up Facebook post from one of the Slater’s family inner circle was shared with the message: “Jay’s body has been found. Our hearts are with his family in these evil times, we’ve heard from locals it was the job of the Morrocans [sic].”
The mother of Jay’s best friend Rachel Louise Harg, who also set up the GoFundMe page to go towards search efforts, was forced to amplify the cruel prank as she distanced herself from it, insisting the official update group: “This isn’t me.”
Are TikTokers and Facebook sleuths drowning out leads in the hunt for Jay Slater?
Investigators say armchair sleuths spreading memes and misinformation are harming missing teenager’s family
Alexander Butler30 June 2024 22:30
Mother of son missing for weeks in Bristol ‘feels desperately sorry’ for Jay Slater’s family
The mother of a young man who went missing in Bristol has called for renewed attention on her son’s case amid the disappearance of Jay Slater.
Jack O’Sullivan, 23, was last seen more than 17 weeks ago after walking home from a night out with friends on 2 March, in a case mirroring that of Mr Slater, 19, who vanished in the early hours after partying in Tenerife.
Family and friends are attempting to keep Mr O’Sullivan’s story in the public eye by launching their own website, fundraising, and changing their Facebook profile pictures to his missing poster.
Mother of son missing for weeks ‘feels desperately sorry’ for Jay Slater’s family
Jack O’Sullivan’s mother said she will keep searching for her son who vanished in Bristol more than three months ago
Alexander Butler30 June 2024 23:30
Jay Slater machete gang attack victim hits out at internet trolls and urges them to help find teenager
A man who had his “skull split open” in a machete attack carried out by a gang including Jay Slater has broken his silence on the desperate search for the teenager who vanished in Tenerife.
The missing 19-year-old was part of a group of eight people who attacked Tom Hilton, then 17, with a machete, golf clubs and an axe in Rishton, Lancashire, in 2021.
The apprentice bricklayer, from Oswaldtwistle, was handed an 18-month community order with 25 days of rehabilitation activities and 150 hours of unpaid work for his role in the violent disorder.
Jay Slater machete gang attack victim urges internet trolls to help find teenager
The alleged victim told TikTok trolls ‘Have some respect and help find this boy and get him back to his family’
Alexander Butler1 July 2024 01:00
What is the GoFundMe money being used for as search for missing teen continues?
Jay Slater: What is the GoFundMe money being used for as search for teen continues?
Jay Slater’s family are now withdrawing money from the GoFundMe page so others can join them in Tenerife
Alexander Butler1 July 2024 02:00
Other people who disappeared on the island where Jay Slater went missing
Tenerife’s missing: Other people who vanished on island where Jay Slater disappeared
Several people still remain missing on the island of Tenerife after vanishing decades ago
Alexander Butler1 July 2024 03:00
Older
Newer
