Jay Slater family detective reveals why area where body was found is so dangerous
Mr Williams-Thomas - who has handled a number of high-profile missing persons cases - reveals in his own words what the last four weeks have been like for those inside the family circle..
Early in the search for their missing son, Jay Slater's family were joined in Tenerife by former police detective Mark Williams-Thomas as attempts by local authorities to find him proved fruitless.
Over the coming days and weeks, he investigated several leads gathered on the island and became a pillar of support for Jay's mum and dad, Debbie Duncan and Warren Slater, as he tried to answer their questions.
Today, Civil Guard officers announced they had discovered human remains near Masca, which are feared to be Jay's - news the family have been dreading.
Here, Mr Williams-Thomas - who has handled a number of high-profile missing persons cases - reveals in his own words what the last four weeks have been like for those inside the family circle.
READ MORE: Jay Slater's family speak out after body found in the search for missing teen
READ MORE: Spanish police give 'initial' cause of death for body found in search for Jay Slater
"Four weeks to the day after Jay went missing and his family never giving up hope they would find him alive," reports the Mirror.
"It was late morning on Monday and Jay's parents were asked to attend the police station for an update, they attended hoping for a positive update. What they learnt was every parent's nightmare, human remains had been found and they fitted the description of Jay, his clothing and personal belongings being found with him.
"To compound the devastating news even further, he was found at a pretty inaccessible place not far from the spot where Jay had sent his location to two friends shorty before 9am, four weeks earlier to the day."
"The area where the body was found was highlighted yesterday afternoon with the search and rescue helicopter in the area, it is around a 20 minutes walk from the pin drop location. The terrain is rough and hazardous and having now seen the video of the search team on Monday morning and that the helicopter was in the same area on Sunday afternoon where the body was recovered, it is clear to see just how treacherous and dangerous it is - a slip or loss of footing would prove fatal.
"Three weeks ago, I met with the family and said I and my team would do all we could to get them answers. The initial review of the evidence strongly indicated Jay would be found in the mountains, having taken a path from where his last location drop was sent, however like any investigation it is always important to remain open minded and thoroughly investigate no information that comes in.
"This weekend was no different to the last three weeks, as information came in, we assessed it and then updated the family, and were appropriate passed onto both the British and Spanish police. With a case which has attracted so much publicity, the information has been considerable, with well in excess of sixty contacts per day to our helpline, some wanting to give their theory as to what they believe has happened. However, amongst these were some crucial pieces of intelligence.
"But what has taken up the most time has been investigating the many theories and the false information which gathered traction on social media and then subsequently in the media. You will understand the family lived in hope of every new piece of information saying Jay was alive, so they all needed to be investigated.
"We had to investigate the theory Jay had walked all the way to the coastline to get on a boat, this was thoroughly investigated and ruled out with evidence proving it could not be true. We have had two videos posted of separate people, meant to be Jay, having been beaten up, one having the words, 'We have your son', created for publication by someone wanting to give the impression they had Jay held hostage.
"Within hours we had established these videos were not Jay. And we have had people who have contacted the family to say they have Jay and will give information in exchange for a sum of money .
"There is no doubt investigating cases now, with the increase in social media, brings with it massive new challenges; keyboard warriors and vile people. That said, they are in the minority, with the majority of people genuinely wanting to help, being kind and supportive of Jay's family and my investigation.
"Although the police are very confident it is Jay they will need to have him formally identified. It is unclear yet if the Spanish police will formally undertake a postmortem, however my very strong advice to the family is for this to be done by a pathologist of their choice, Jay's injuries will be vital and allow a pathologist to re-assure them no 3rd party is involved. There will then be the costly process of bringing Jay back to the UK."
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