Police call off search in Tenerife for missing teenager Jay Slater but confirm…

June 30, 2024, 10:24 a.m. | Updated: June 30, 2024, 10:50 a.m.

Authorities in Tenerife have ended the search for missing teenager Jay Slater but said the investigation into his disappearance would continue.

It is almost two weeks since the 19-year-old from Lancashire was last seen.

The Civil Guard had called on Saturday for volunteers to participate in a “massive search” in the Masca area of ​​the island.

However, police have now confirmed the investigation has concluded, but are keeping the investigation open.

Jay Slater disappeared on June 17 at Mirador de la Cruz de Hilda, near Masca.

His search required the help of a helicopter, drones and a dog unit specialized in searching large areas.

He attended the NRG music festival on the island with two friends before he disappeared and his last known location was Teno Rural Park in the north of the island – which was about an 11-hour walk from his accommodation.

Learn more: Jay Slater's father 'disappointed' only six volunteers came forward to take part in Tenerife hunt as desperate search continues

On Friday, the Civil Guard launched an appeal to volunteer associations, such as firefighters, and individual volunteers with expertise in rough terrain to participate in a “busqueda masiva,” or mass search, which will take place on Saturday.

A helicopter, drones and a dog unit specialized in searching large areas have arrived from Madrid, and the Guardia Civil maintains that all hypotheses remain open.

Spanish police also confirmed that two Britons potentially involved were “not relevant” despite speculation.

There has been some mystery surrounding two British men who travelled north towards Masca from the festival with Mr Slater, but police said in an update they were “not relevant”.

Mr Slater attended the NRG music festival on the island with two friends before he disappeared and his last known location was Teno Rural Park in the north of the island – which was about an 11-hour walk from his home.

Mr Slater's friend Brad Hargreaves told ITV's This Morning on Friday that he had been on a video call with him before he disappeared when he heard him drive off the road.

He said: “He was on the phone, walking down a road and he had gone over a bit – not a big fall – but a tiny fall and he was going down, and he said 'I'll call you back, I'll call you back' because I think someone else was calling him.”

He confirmed that he could see his friend's feet “sliding” down the hill and could hear him walking on gravel.

But Mr Hargreaves said he and his friend were both laughing at the time. He added: “He didn't seem worried on the phone until we knew how far away he was.”

He told the program he still had hope for Mr Slater and was “praying” he would come home.

Learn more: Jay Slater's fundraising hits £40,000 as mother withdraws money to send friends to Tenerife to join desperate search

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