Spanish Police Call Off Search for Missing British Teen in Tenerife

Spanish Police Call Off Search for Missing British Teen in Tenerife

3 minute read
Published: 7/1/2024

Spanish police have ended the extensive search for missing British teenager Jay Slater, who vanished in Tenerife on June 17th after attending a rave, as his case remains under investigation.

Despite exhaustive efforts involving dozens of police officers, firefighters, and volunteers using dogs, drones, and helicopters, the search for Jay Slater, last seen leaving a nightclub on June 16th, has been called off. The investigation continues as authorities pursue several lines of inquiry, while social media buzzes with theories about his disappearance. Slater's family, still active in the search, remains hopeful for answers amid growing concerns and emotional strain.

Jay Slater, an 18-year-old apprentice bricklayer from the UK, was attending the end of the NRG festival on the night of June 16th at the Papayago nightclub. He disappeared the following morning, leading to a large-scale search operation initiated by Spanish authorities.

The last known activity from Slater's phone was recorded in the Masca ravine, a remote area within a national park in northern Tenerife. On June 17th, Slater managed to call a friend saying he was lost, in need of water, and that his phone battery was critically low at only 1%. This call was the last contact anyone had with him.

A witness, identified as a local cafe owner, reported seeing Slater walking quickly on the morning of June 17th. Slater had asked the owner for information on bus schedules before heading off. This sighting has contributed to the timeline of events leading up to his disappearance.

Search teams, comprising 30 to 40 people, ventured into the rugged and hilly terrain of the Masca ravine and surrounding areas. They utilized an array of resources, including dogs trained in search and rescue, drones for aerial surveillance, and a helicopter to cover extensive ground quickly.

As the days passed, the effort to locate Slater saw the involvement of local police, the Civil Guard, and numerous volunteers. Jay Slater's family traveled to Tenerife to coordinate with the authorities and join the search efforts. They have actively been seeking information and continuously appealing to the public for any leads concerning Jay's whereabouts.

Despite the deployment of significant resources and personnel, the search did not yield any substantive clues as to Slater's location. Authorities eventually decided to call off the search operation, although the investigation remains active. Police are reportedly examining several lines of inquiry, but specific details have not been disclosed to the public.

Social media has become a hotbed of speculation and conspiracy theories about Slater's disappearance. From suggestions of foul play to various unverified sightings, these theories continue to circulate, although none have been substantiated by police. The family has expressed concern about the spread of misinformation detracting from the primary focus of the search.

In a bid to aid the investigation, Jay Slater's family released a blurry CCTV image capturing a person they believe might be Slater in a nearby town. The public has been asked to come forward if they recognize the individual or have any information on Slater’s potential movements after June 17th.

Jay Slater's disappearance has left his friends and family in a state of distress. They describe him as a kind-hearted and responsible young man, making his sudden vanishing all the more perplexing. Slater was in Tenerife on holiday with friends, and there were no indications beforehand that anything was amiss.

The case has drawn widespread media attention in both Spain and the UK, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of international authorities in situations of missing persons abroad. Jay Slater’s family remains hopeful for a breakthrough, urging anyone who might have seen or heard anything, however minor it may seem, to contact the police.

As the investigation continues, authorities are now focusing on several lines of inquiry after the search for Jay Slater was called off. The complex geography of Tenerife's remote areas had presented significant challenges, adding difficulty to both the search and ongoing investigative efforts.

In the meantime, the community in Tenerife and across social networks continues to rally behind the Slater family. Vigils and online campaigns have been organized to keep the public's attention focused on bringing Jay Slater home. The emotional toll on his loved ones is palpable as they navigate this agonizing uncertainty.