Jay Slater: Three key developments since body of missing Briton found in Tenerife

Jay Slater's body was found this week a month after the teen went missing in Tenerife - but the story of his disappearance is far from over.

Jay's remains were found in a Juan Lopez ravine just north of Masca Village, Parque Rural de Teno, Tenerife on July 15 by members of a mountain rescue team from the Spanish Civil Guard after a gruelling four-week search.

A post-mortem conducted two days ago confirmed the remains were those of the missing teen, who was discovered alongside his clothes and personal belongings.

READ MORE - Map shows tragic last hours of Briton Jay Slater after Tenerife holiday turns to tragedy

READ MORE - Mother of Jay Slater posts update on GoFundMe page after Briton's body found in Tenerife

The Spanish Civil Guard has also said 'all evidence suggests' the remains are those of Jay, including some of his clothes and belongings found nearby. Following the tragic news, there have been three key developments since his body was found.

1. The search team returning to the scene

The specialist team from Signi Zoekhonden that was deployed by Jay's devastated family have returned to the location known as the Juan Lopez ravine, where his body remains were found.

They were spotted when their Belgian Malinois sniffer dog called Flex returned on behalf of the family to fully understand the geography of where Jay was found.

The team is led by veterinarian Esther van Neerbo, who said they were determined to make sure nothing is left in the valley that could help explain Jay’s death. It had also made a short film for Jay’s mother so that the family has a record of the location.

Preliminary post mortem reports confirmed that the injuries were consistent with a fall from height, but there were still other unanswered questions.

Map of Tenerife and Masca, where Jay Slater disappeared and was later found
(Image: Reach PLC)

The team leader revealed that their dog has indicated a very “difficult and dangerous” area in the ravine from where it would have been "impossible" for Jay to make it to the sea.

She is in close contact with Jay’s family and said that the mum, Debbie is “very sad, they are crying, crying, crying.”

Esther further said: "Every case is sad, it’s particularly difficult for mothers, it is never nice to have to search for a young child. Losing your boy is the worst thing you can think about.

"I think the rescue workers that found him did a very good job. Jay was a very young guy, he did very well to get as far as he got. The place where he was found is a very dry, small valley, very difficult to get into."

2. New GoFundMe appeal

Moreover, Jay's mum has made an appeal on GoFundMe for "more donations" to help fund her teenager's funeral. It has already crossed the marked donation of £35k, and has now raised almost £65k.

Jay Slater (C) embracing his mum Debbie (bottom left) and brother Zak (R)Credit: Facebook
(Image: Facebook)

Jay's mum, Debbie Duncan, wrote on the official GoFundMe fundraising page: "Hello everyone, thank you for all of your kindness, support and condolences in light of the tragic news that Jay’s body has been found. We are overwhelmed with grief and are so grateful for your support.

"The wonderful team from The Netherlands, Signi Zoekhondon, have remained in Spain all week and have continued to support us since Jay was found. They are due to fly home in the coming days and we are so appreciative of their dedication and support.

"We would like to thank LBT Global for their support during this impossible time. We are working with agencies to arrange Jay's repatriation to the UK and the remaining funds, along with any future donations will be used to help with this if needed and to pay for Jay’s funeral costs back home. We want to give our boy the send-off he deserves so please do continue to share and support our fundraiser however you can."

Debbie has received criticism from some on social media following her donation appeal. One of the users tweeted, "Jay Slaters mums a savage. Go-fund me is at £60k and she has the audacity to ask for more money. Unbelievable."

While a second one wrote: "It is pretty confusing I feel the reasons why she's asking for more. I just can't imagine asking for money. I need £10-15k for life changing surgery and I could never ask for a penny of that let alone more than £60k."

While a third said: "I know it’s sad but he doesn’t need a big flashy funeral. He was their responsibility not the country & I hope nobody donates a penny more."

3. The wait for Jay's body following the autopsy

A preliminary autopsy has been done, and now the family is waiting for his body to be released and brought back to the UK. The results of the preliminary autopsy point to the cause of death being "a fall or plunge from height due to the broken bones he suffered".

08.07.24. JAY SLATER missing Brit in Tenerife.. Santiago del Teide, a mountain village on the outskirts of the Teno Rural Park. It was higher up in the park, close to Masca, that Jay Slater's mobile phone signal was last believed to have been positioned before he went missing. Pictured are his brother Zak and dad Warren who had widened their own personal search to the outskirts of the village. Earlier they had searched higher in the mountains in the Los Carrizales valley. ©Stan Kujawa
(Image: Stan Kujawa)

A Civil Guard spokesman said Jay's injuries included several broken bones, and said: "The body of the man located yesterday has been identified of that as Jay Slater through fingerprint comparison and identification. The result of the preliminary autopsy points to the cause of death being a fall or plunge from height due to the broken bones he suffered."

Jay's family issued a statement following confirmation that the body found in Tenerife on Monday belonged to the 19-year-old. The full statement reads: "I just can’t believe it – we’re here with the embassy staff waiting for an update and now it’s come – the worst news. I just can’t believe this could happen to my beautiful boy. Our hearts are broken."