The detective-turned-TV investigator who probed the disappearance of Nicola Bulley has claimed that Jay Slater’s mother is ‘keen to accept my team’s help’ as the hunt for the missing 19-year-old enters its second week.
Mark Williams-Thomas, known for exposing Jimmy Savile’s crimes, has offered his expertise in the search for Jay Slater, an apprentice bricklayer who vanished after leaving a Tenerife nightclub. Jay disappeared last Monday after attending a three-day energy music festival on the Spanish island, sparking a major investigation subjected to wild conspiracy theories online.
Williams-Thomas revealed on X/Twitter that he had ‘reached out’ to Jay’s mother, Debbie Duncan. He provided an update, writing, “Jay Slater’s family clearly struggling with all the media interest and attention, have switched off all phones and cut contact. I am waiting to speak to mum later today, but have had a response from a close relative that mum is keen to accept my team’s help. Having worked with many families at crisis point when a child goes missing, the loved ones become the eye of the storm and it’s very, very tough for them to manage all the enquiries on top of their own stress & worry.
Jay Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, disappeared after attempting to walk back to his accommodation following a night out. He had attended the NRG music festival with two friends before his disappearance. Lucy Mae Law, who went to the festival with Jay, said he called her at about 8:30 am last Monday, saying he was “lost in the mountains, he wasn’t aware of his surroundings, he desperately needed a drink, and his phone was on 1%.
Firefighters and search teams have been focusing their efforts on small buildings near where Jay’s phone last pinged. Officers from the Guardia Civil in the Canary Islands have been seen circling structures at the bottom of a ravine in Rural de Teno Park.
Meanwhile, TikTok sleuths have flown to Tenerife to join the search, despite having no connection to Jay. Paul Arnott, 29, who runs the Down the Rapids TikTok account, spent £400 traveling from Scotland to Tenerife on Saturday. He said, “I’ve been trying to contact mountain rescue all day but haven’t been able to get through to anyone.
Jay’s family and friends have criticized the Spanish police for rejecting an offer of support from British officers. Jay’s friend, Lucy Mae Law, expressed frustration, saying, “We are having to do this all by ourselves as Spanish police are not doing a good enough job.
Debbie Duncan, Jay’s mother, has vowed to stay in Tenerife as long as it takes to find her son. She has made a direct appeal to him, saying, “We just need you home.”
A GoFundMe page set up to support Jay’s family has reached its £30,000 target in just three days. In a statement, Debbie thanked everyone for their “generosity and kindness during this difficult time.”
Jay’s father, Warren, and brother, Zak, visited the spot where his phone last pinged, expressing their desperation to bring Jay home. Warren, fighting back tears, said, “He’s my son. I just want him back.”
The investigation continues, with search teams focusing on the mountainous area near the village of Masca and the surrounding landscape.
For help and support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
