‘Complex issues’ slowing down return of Jay Slater’s body to UK as grieving family desperate to be on same flight
“COMPLEX ISSUES” are slowing down the return of Jay Slater’s body to the UK as his grieving family are desperate to be on the same flight.
Spanish authorities have concluded their investigation after the Brit teen was found at the bottom of a ravine in Tenerife after vanishing weeks ago.
A post-mortem found he suffered “multiple injuries” compatible with an accidental fall from a “considerable height”.
Officials have also ruled out foul play.
Jay’s body has now been released to his devastated family to make arrangements for him to be flown back home to the UK.
But the process could take a little longer than imagined.
A family spokesman said: “There are a number of complex issues that need to be addressed before he can finally be flown home to the UK.
“But the plan is for his family to be on the same flight.
“They want to bring him home.”
The 19-year-old’s body is expected to be repatriated by the start of next week, the spokesman added.
And it is possible a UK coroner will then request a second post-mortem before he can be released for a funeral in his hometown of Oswaldtwistle, Lancs.
It come as…
- Jay Slater was confirmed dead on Tuesday as body was found in gruelling search on Monday after 4 weeks
- Jay’s mum said ‘our hearts are broken‘ after ‘beautiful’ son’s body is found
- Jay Slater cops revealed his cause of death details after teen suffered ‘broken bones’ from ‘horror fall’
- The body was discovered just yards away from where Jay’s phone last pinged
- Locals said it’s ‘hard to understand’ how Jay’s body got so far into ravine
- Jay’s best pal Lucy Mae Law paid tribute to the ‘happiest person in the room’
- Moment Jay Slater cops scoured ‘inaccessible mountain’ for clues after his body found
Jay Slater’s heartbroken family have also left touching floral tributes in Tenerife where the teen fell to his death.
Distraught mum Debbie Duncan described Jay as her “beautiful boy” in a handwritten note left with white flowers.
In a heart-wrenching note to her boy, she wrote: “To my beautiful boy. I’m so sorry we never found you.
“I miss you so much. You will be forever young and forever missed. Love you so much.”
Dad Warren’s message says: “To my boy. Love dad.”
I miss you so much. You will be forever young and forever missed
Debbie Duncan
In his tribute, Jay’s brother Zak, 24, promised to take care of his parents.
He wrote: “Love you little bro. Never in a million years did I think I’d be doing this.
“I’ll look after mum and dad.
“Hope your partying up there with grandad. Hope to see you again some day. Rest easy bro. I love you.”
One of the pictures from the scene showed a heartfelt note with the words: “Forever young. We will always have you in our hearts. Gone, but never forgotten. Love and prayers to you!”
Timeline of the Jay Sater tragedy
THE grim discovery of a body comes after weeks of agony for Jay’s friends and family. Here is how the events unfolded:
Sunday, June 16: Jay and his friends party at the last day of NRG music festival being held at Papagayo night club in Playa de la Americas, Tenerife.
June 17 3-6am: Jay leaves with Ayub Qassim and another man for a £40-a-night Airbnb 23 miles away in the village of Masca.
7.30am: Jay shares a photo on Snapchat standing at doorway of the Airbnb.
8.50am: He calls pal Lucy Mae Law and says he is “lost in the middle of nowhere” with no water, a cut to his leg and one per cent on his phone.
Tuesday, June 18: Pals search area but no sign of Jay. Local cops and mountain rescue teams start official search. Jay’s mother Debbie Duncan flies to Tenerife.
June 19-20: Spanish police deploy drones, dogs and a helicopter, but find no trace. Search moves to Los Cristianos amid possible sighting, but it is ruled out and they return to Rural de Teno, near Masca.
June 21: Lancashire Police offer support but it is declined.
June 22: Mum Debbie issues emotional appeal to Jay saying “We just need you home.”
June 24: Claims of Jay sighting in Santiago del Teide — near to where he disappeared — and family believe a grainy CCTV image could be of him.
June 25: Debbie issues plea for her son to come home as more friends fly out and TV investigator Mark Williams- Thomas joins search.
June 29: Cops rule Mr Qassim, and other man at Airbnb, out of investigation.
June 30: Spanish cops officially suspend hunt but say probe “remains open”. His family continue to search.
July 15: A body is found by helicopter search team close to where his phone last pinged. His possessions are discovered next to human remains. Spanish cops say it points to an “accidental fall”.
July 16: Tenerife authorities confirm the body found in mountainous area of island is Jay’s