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The body of Jay Slater, a 19-year-old who vanished while on holiday in Tenerife, has been flown back to the UK two months after his disappearance. His family has revealed that his funeral will be a ‘celebration‘ of his life, set for Saturday, August 10, at the Chapel at Accrington Crematorium in Lancashire.
Tragic Disappearance and Search Effort
Jay, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, disappeared on the morning of June 17 while trying to walk back to his holiday accommodation in Los Cristianos, mistakenly taking what he thought was a shortcut across the mountains. He had attended the NRG music festival with two friends before his disappearance, with his last known location being the Rural de Teno Park in the north of the Canary Island, about an 11-hour walk from his accommodation.
Jay’s body was discovered by a Dutch search team sent to the Spanish holiday island. The team, including three members of the Signi Zoekhonden and their Belgian Malinois dog named Flex, pinpointed the location during a five-hour trek into the remote Barranco Juan Lopez valley. The search team documented the scene to provide Jay’s family with a sense of closure.
Discovery and Cause of Death
Footage from the search shows the ravine where Jay’s body was found, with cliffs on either side. It is believed he lost his footing while trying to scale the cliffs to reach the sea beyond. A postmortem in the UK concluded that Jay died from traumatic head injuries consistent with a fall from height, and his death was instantaneous.
Funeral Arrangements
Jay’s funeral will be held on August 10, with a ‘celebration of life’ service prior to the interment. Details shared on social media ask attendees to wear ‘something blue in his memory.
Family’s Grief and Community Support
Jay’s disappearance triggered a frantic search effort that lasted over four weeks. A GoFundMe fundraiser, initially set up to aid in the search, has since been used to repatriate Jay’s body and to fund his funeral. The fund, started by his friend Lucy Mae, has raised £74,000, significantly surpassing its £30,000 goal.
Tributes to Jay
Jay’s family described him as ‘a loving son,’ a keen footballer, and a young man who loved music, dance, and meeting new people. His mother, Debbie Duncan, expressed her gratitude for the support received and shared that Jay’s love for life and his vibrant personality will be celebrated at his funeral.
“Jay’s love of music and dance started at a very young age. He loved attending music festivals and events across the country and also loved to socialise and meet new people,” said the family statement.
