Jay Slater’s cause of death confirmed by UK coroners as heartbroken family make special request for Brit teen’s funeral
JAY Slater’s cause of death has been confirmed as his devastated family send out a special request to their loved ones ahead of his funeral.
The Brit teen’s body was flown back to the UK last week and his funeral is set to take place on August 10.
Jay, 19, from Lancashire, died while on holiday in Tenerife with two friends on June 17.
His mum Debbie Duncan, 55, dad Warren, 58, and Jay’s brother Zak, 24, all returned home from the island last week where they spent a month searching for Jay.
A post mortem in the UK confirmed that Jay died because of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a “fall from height”.
Spanish police found his body in a deep ravine in the mountains of northern Tenerife after he slipped while trying to make his way back to his hotel.
The coroner’s report said his death would have been instant.
Now Jay’s heartbroken family have issued an emotional plea to friends and loved ones ahead of his memorial service next weekend.
They have asked people to wear blue, instead of traditional black, for the service.
And they’ve suggested people donate to LBT Global, a charity that supports the families of Brits who go missing abroad, instead of buying flowers.
LBT Global told press they would use the funds to help cases like Jay’s.
In an emotional tribute, Jay’s loved ones wrote: “A loving son of Debbie and Warren, a cherished brother of Zak and brother in law of Jessica, a treasured grandson of Dawn, June and the late Dougie, a much loved nephew of Glen and Katie, a dear cousin of Maddie and Tillie and a loyal friend to many.
“Jay will be very sadly missed by all those who knew him.
“Those attending are invited to wear something blue in his memory.”
The cost of the funeral is set to be covered by the GoFundMe page set up by Jay’s pal Lucy Mae Law in the days after he first disappeared.
The fundraiser has skyrocketed past £70,000 with more than 5,600 donations.
It reached £60,000 in an outpouring of support in the days after Jay’s body was found and has continued to rise ever since.
Debbie announced in a heartfelt statement via the fundraiser: “We want to give our boy the send-off he deserves.”
Web bullies have criticised Debbie and other members of the family for encouraging people to donate to the page even after Jay was found.
In a statement released on the ‘Get Jay Slater Home’ GoFundMe page, Debbie said: “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.”
Jay Slater's touching obituary
REMEMBERING with love Jay Dean Slater, of Fountains Way, Oswaldtwistle, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday 17th June 2024, whilst on holiday in Tenerife, aged 19 years.
After Jay left Rhyddings High School he went on to become an apprentice bricklayer with the PH Build group, a job he greatly enjoyed.
At the young age of 5 Jay started playing football for Huncoat United FC until the age of 17 and also did a few seasons with the Sunday team at St Joesph’s too.
He also loved spending time chilling out with his friends.
Jay’s love of music and dance started at a very young age. He loved attending music festivals and events across the country and also loved to socialise and meet new people.
A loving son of Debbie and Warren, a cherished brother of Zak and brother in law of Jessica, a treasured grandson of Dawn, June and the late Dougie, a much loved nephew of Glen and Katie, a dear cousin of Maddie and Tillie and a loyal friend to many. Jay will be very sadly missed by all those who knew him.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10.30am on Saturday 10th August 2024, at Accrington Cemetery Chapel prior to interment.
Those attending are invited to wear something blue in his memory.
Family flowers only please, but if anyone would like to bring a single rose to place with Jay, they are more than welcome.
Jay’s body was tragically found on Monday July 15, almost a month after he vanished, at the bottom of a treacherous ravine in Masca.
The apprentice bricklayer had travelled to a remote Airbnb in Masca with two men in the early hours of June 17.
He had been partying all night in Playa de las Americas, close to an hour’s drive away.
In the morning, he attempted the 11 hour walk back to his own accommodation miles away.
Jay made a tragic final phone call to friend Lucy Law to say he was lost, needed water and only had one per cent phone battery.
It was the last time Jay, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancshire, was heard from, and a mammoth search mission was launched.
Jay’s family stayed at Santiago del Teide, the mountainous region’s gateway town, during the hunt.
Jay’s dad Warren and brother Zak spent weeks searching the unforgiving terrain for a breakthrough after the teenager vanished on June 17.
They retraced his steps in the blistering heat for days on their own after Spanish cops suspended their search.
But his body was finally discovered by a helicopter crew on Monday at the bottom of a ravine close to where his mobile phone last pinged.
Tributes and flowers were laid down in the days after Jay’s body was found.
Debbie left a handwritten note, which said: “I miss you so much. You will be forever young and forever missed. Love you so much.”
Timeline of the tragic case
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”.
Today: Tenerife authorities confirm the body found in mountainous area of island is Jay’s.
