Jay Slater's mother issues new statement after search for missing teenager ends | UK News

Debbie Duncan described the family's “pain and anguish” as she gave her views on police efforts to find her son.

The mother of missing Jay Slater says “words cannot describe the pain and agony” she and her family are feeling following the teenager's disappearance.

THE 19 years oldoriginally from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, was last seen on June 17 after walking to his accommodation while on holiday in Tenerife.

Despite intensive searches in the area by police and rescue teams over the past two weeks, he has not been found.

In a statement released by the UK charity for missing people abroad LBT Global, the teenager's mother, Debbie Duncan, said the family were “absolutely devastated” by his disappearance.

“Jay is a normal guy who is in his third year of apprenticeship, and he is a very popular young man with a wide circle of friends,” she said.

“We are a very close family and are absolutely devastated by his passing.

“Words cannot describe the pain and agony we are going through. This is our beautiful boy with his whole life ahead of him and we just want him back.

“We have no information about his whereabouts.”

Learn more:
Five key questions about Jay Slater's disappearance

Helicopters, drones and search dogs were deployed to find the apprentice mason, who arrived on the island on June 13 for the NRG music festival with two friends.

His last known location was the Teno Rural Park in the north of the Canary Islands, about an 11-hour walk from his home in the south.

He had checked into an Airbnb in the village of Masca and the two men who allegedly rented the property were later tried “not relevant” to the case

Ms Duncan praised the Spanish police, who she said had “worked tirelessly in the mountains where Jay's last phone call was traced”.

“They [police] “They conducted a 12-day field search, mobilizing all the resources they had,” Duncan added.

“Although the search on the ground has been completed, the Spanish police are still continuing their investigations to determine why Jay went to a place so far from his home.

“We extend our sincere thanks to the Spanish authorities, who continue to follow up on the leads in the investigation.”

On Friday, the Civil Guard called in terrain experts to take part in a “massive search” on Saturday.

The searches in and around Masca covered a steep rocky area, including ravines, trails and paths.

On Saturday, the Civil Guard confirmed that search efforts in the area had has been cancelled after almost two weeks – although detectives continue to pursue several avenues of research.

Learn more:
Investigation into disappearance continues, insists mayor
British police respond to Tenerife search call

While the family continues to hope for progress in the investigation, Ms Duncan asked the media to respect their privacy and said they were aware of conspiracy theories surrounding the case.

She said she could only describe the speculation as “vile”, adding that the “negative comments are extremely distressing” for the family.

“We also appreciate the love and support we have received from around the world,” she added.

“This has not gone unnoticed, particularly in his home town of Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire. As a family, we would like the world to respect our privacy at this time.”