Massive Search Underway for Missing British Teen Jay Slater in Tenerife
The desperate hunt for Jay Slater, 19, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, has ramped up as Spanish authorities team up with volunteers, firefighters, and mountain experts. Jay disappeared on June 17 after a night out with friends in Tenerife — sparking a huge manhunt across the treacherous terrain near Masca.
Jay’s Last Movements Before Vanishing
Jay was last spotted after the three-day NRG music festival. He then returned to an Airbnb in Masca with two men he met at the event. The villa owner saw him at a bus stop around 8am, but when Jay found the next bus wasn’t until 10am, he decided to walk instead.
At 8:50am, Jay called his friend Lucy Mae Law, 18, saying he was “lost in the mountains, with no water, one per cent battery” and that he’d injured his leg on a cactus. That was the final contact.
Search Efforts Scale New Heights
Authorities launched a “busqueda masiva” — a massive search — covering the steep Masca Gorge, 3,000 feet above sea level. Drones, helicopters, rescue dogs, and volunteers have scoured ravines and trails with no luck so far. The search is being coordinated from Mirador de la Cruz de Hilda restaurant, where teams are combing both Jay’s known and new potential routes.
Community Rallies Behind Jay’s Family
Jay’s family, led by his mother Debbie Duncan, has mobilised a legion of supporters. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over £40,000 to cover rescue costs, accommodation, and food for search teams. Debbie said: “We are not losing hope that we will find Jay and return home together.”
Meanwhile, social media sleuths and true crime fans have jumped into the search, with TikTok user Paul Arnott posting updates. However, police warn against misinformation spreading online, urging the public to stick to verified facts.
New Leads and Ongoing Investigations
Police have widened the search to include caves near Los Carrizales, an area not previously explored. They are also following up on reported sightings of Jay in various locations, including a bar in Puerto de Santiago.
Spanish police released footage showing officers tackling the challenging terrain as they keep the search going strong.
Family’s Heartfelt Plea
“First, I would like to thank everyone for your support, kind messages, and good wishes,” Debbie Duncan wrote. “It’s difficult to wrap our heads around what is happening right now, but we are not losing hope that we will find Jay and return home together.”
As the search enters its 13th day, hope and determination remain high among Jay’s family, volunteers, and search teams to bring him home safe.
