'Terrified' grandmother of missing Jay Slater speaks for first time as desperate search for teenager continues in Tenerife

The grandmother of missing Tenerife teenager Jay Slater has spoken for the first time as the desperate search for her beloved grandson continues. June Duncan has spoken exclusively to LancsLive in her first interview since her grandson went missing in Tenerife on Monday.

Jay, 19, was reported missing after failing to return to the apartment he shared with friends. His mother Debbie Duncan and eldest son Zak flew to Tenerife after police knocked on the door of his semi-detached house in Oswaldtwistle in the early hours of Tuesday.

After an officer told Debbie “I'd fly there now if I were you”, she hurriedly packed a bag and boarded the first flight out of Manchester.

LEARN MORE: Missing Jay Slater told friend he 'cut his leg' on a cactus and 'had no idea where it was'

Speaking from her cottage on the outskirts of Clitheroe, Lancashire, June described how her family had tried to protect her from speculation surrounding Jay's disappearance.

She revealed her son Glen – Debbie's brother – flew to Tenerife yesterday (Wednesday) to support his sister. Debbie told how she was “beside herself” as she prayed for good news about her youngest son.

“I don’t read the newspapers but it’s on the television news so much that I can’t escape it,” June, 77, said. “I haven’t spoken to Debbie much but other family members keep me informed.

“My son came to see me on Tuesday and he took the plane yesterday. He left with [Jay’s] cousin to try to help but I don't know what they can do.

“I couldn't go, and I'm not sure how much help I could give, I'm just hoping for good news. I can't even begin to imagine how Debbie is. She called me and m 'He said he was missing. She didn't tell me at first, I think she was trying not to worry me, but then, as time went on…'

Desperate searches continue in Tenerife. The walk from Teno Rural Park, its last known location, in the south of the Spanish island, would take around 11 hours on foot.

Search teams refocused their efforts on Thursday on the north of Tenerife, where the Teno Rural Park is located, after ruling out a potential lead in the south of the island. Jay was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with shorts, sneakers and a black bag.

June's neighbors in Shireburne Park, where she has lived for eight years, rallied behind her. One told LancsLive: “It's absolutely terrible what happened. She's such a lovely woman.”

June described Jay, who she looked after as a baby, as “a lovely boy”. She added: “It’s all so vague. » The longer this goes on, the more worrying it is. I just get through each day at a time.

“I watched all this on the news [TV doctor] Michael Mosley and it's so similar. It's hot in Tenerife and I can't bear to think about what happened to Jay, I'm terrified.”

June, who is kept informed of any major developments in the search for Jay, admitted she had tried to stop herself from “fearing the worst”.

“You have to stay positive,” she said. “I try not to think about it too much but I can't help it. I feel so helpless.”