Missing Brit's Insta 'hacked' as sighting reportedt - updates (2024)

Spanish rescue teams gather with dogs for sixth day of search for Jay Slater

Spanish search and rescue teams have gathered again in Tenerife for the sixth day of the hunt for Brit teenager Jay Slater.

Officers reconvened at Rural de Teno Park on the north west of the island on Saturday following another day of no major breakthroughs. Images show them gathered with dogs as they prepare to go into the mountainous terrain.

Lancashire Constabulary said it had made “an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources” which was rejected by Spanish authorities.

On Friday the hunt for Jay saw search teams pay close attention to a river called Barranco Madre del Agua at the bottom of a ravine, where personnel with sticks carefully searched through fallen dead trees.

They later moved to other areas, focusing a lot of their resources in an area near Rural de Teno park. Footage released by the Guardia Civil on Thursday showed the views from a helicopter as it scoured the hillside. The video, posted to the force’s X, formerly Twitter, account, showed officers searching in bushes and overgrown terrain with dogs.

Car rental owner warns of 'cold and thin air' where Jay Slater went missing

A car rental owner and blogger has told of the treacherous conditions were 19-year-old Jay Slater went missing in Tenerife.

Andrew Knight, 29, who runs Sanasty Car Hire Tenerife, has provided vehicles to help in the search and gone himself to try and locate the Brit who has not been heard from since last Monday.

“You’re up there, it’s very thin air, you’ve got cloud around. It actually started to rain at one point, it was quite drizzly. Then 10 minutes later the sun was out and it went a little bit warmer, the weather is constantly changing,” he said. “It does go very cold at night, especially with the thin air and the wind chill. It would be pretty cold if you were up there without jumpers and jackets and things.”

Mr Knight said the community has banded together and he hopes that the teenager will be found. “I think the response has been very positive, and it will continue as well. It won’t just die away or stop, they will continue to share and keep going until there is some information or answers, or until he is found,” he said.

“I’m hoping he’s going to be found alive and well. I’m hoping he is hiding out somewhere or something like that, that is the most positive outcome and just hoping that they find him alive and well. That’s the main hope.”

Six key details we know so far after Jay Slater's disappearance

Jay Slater remains missing in Tenerife despite a huge search operation to locate the apprentice bricklayer and here are six key details we know so far.

The 19-year-old man was walking "alone and fast" on Monday morning, it is said, as he left an Airbnb for what is an 10-hour walk through mountainous and remote terrain to where friends were staying in the south of Tenerife.

What we know about Jay Slater's disappearance

• Jay Slater was declared missing in British media on Tuesday, after the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed the investigation. It told us: "We are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities". The FCDO continues to issue this statement to the press.

• Ms Duncan, Jay's mother, flew to Tenerife on Tuesday to lead the search. However, she told how twisted Brits with “northern accents” had been phoning her with hidden numbers and claiming they had her son captive and were keeping him because he owed them money. The press and police authorities have yet been unable to verify if Jay has been held captive.

• But on Wednesday, one of Jay's close friends conceded she too felt the teen had been kidnapped. She described Jay's disappearance as suspicious and became increasingly concerned when authorities switched the focus of the search from Rural de Teno Park to touristy towns in the south, like Los Cristianos, which are more than 30 miles away.

• Police later on Wednesday said they had resumed their search in the mountains after it was believed the sighting in the south was a false lead.

• Ms Duncan described Jay as the "life and soul" with "everyone loving his company" in a heartbreaking address on Thursday. She also told ITV News she wished she had not encouraged him to go on the holiday, during which the teenager had been to a three-day rave. The mum recalled how she was awoken by police at home in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, telling her she needs to go to Tenerife as her son had been reported missing.

• On Friday evening, it emerged Spanish police - the Guardia Civil - declined the help of Lancashire Constabulary in the investigation. Jay is from Lancashire and while his home force said their "thoughts are with Jay's family", it added the Guardia Civil "confirmed that at this time they are satisfied that they have the resources they need".

Town's sea of blue ribbons as it unites in hope of finding Jay Slater

A Lancashire town has united in the hope of finding Jay Slater with a show of blue ribbons as the search for the teenager continues in Tenerife.

People living in Oswaldtwistle near the teenager's home have rallied together to show their support for his family and friends. The apprentice bricklayer travelled from the East Lancashire town to the Spanish island for a music festival with his two friends Lucy and Bradley but he has not been heard from since Monday morning.

Locals Tracy and Gemma were putting up blue ribbons to raise awareness for Jay. And one resident told the Liverpool Echo: "Everyone is talking about Jay, everybody. A lot of people know him, I knew his mum, all my family know them.

"I have joined the Facebook group [there are official Facebook groups online searching for Jay] and I look at it every 15 minutes for an update. I have his mum's best friend on Facebook and she keeps us updated. As far as I know he is a normal lad who went to a festival. He needs water, it's warm enough here today that I'm sat here with a glass of water. I'm so sorry and it's so sad and all we can do is pray."

A few doors down, Hazel appeared teary as she told how she knew Jay and his mum Debbie very well. She said: "I have watched him grow up over the years, I have lived on this street 16 years and they have lived here much longer than I have.

"I know his mum, his grandma was friends with my mum - my mum texted me last night and said 'I hope they find him.' I have watched him grow up, he is a grand lad, a smashing lad, no problems.

"I am going to get family a card today and there are prayers on at the church down the road tonight. We can't search for him so we are just doing prayers and thinking about him. He is a lovely lad and the family are lovely. We have turned Facebook blue for him. His mum is out there."

Brit car rental owner lends vehicles in Tenerife search for Jay Slater

A Brit owner of a Tenerife car rental company said the community has been “rallying around” to help find Jay Slater, and he has made vehicles available for people helping with the search.

Owner of Sanasty Car Hire Tenerife, Andrew Knight, 29, said he has made 10 cars available free of charge to help people get to the search location, and has helped the search himself.

He said: “I was trying to work out ways I could assist and I had some cars sitting around, and I decided to go on the (Jay Slater Facebook) group and offer those cars so people who wanted to go and join the search could take the cars free of charge, just to get some people up there.

“It’s a very, very remote landscape. It’s difficult to get to, it’s about a 45-minute drive from the main area of Los Cristianos, Las Americas.” Several cars a day have been rented out for this purpose so far, including by the uncle of Mr Slater, Mr Knight claimed, adding that some people had returned with “cuts on their legs from all the cactuses”.

Timeline of Jay Slater’s disappearance

Jay Slater's Instagram account 'being used by mystery person' worried pals say

A mystery person is using the Instagram account of missing Brit Jay Slater, his worried friends said.

The search for the teenager is in its sixth day, during which helicopters, rescue dogs and drones have been deployed across northwest Tenerife.

Friends have used an "official" Facebook group to offer updates on the search, and the latest concerns activity on Jay's Instagram account. It is understood it has been used frequently since he was last heard from - but pals insist he or his mother haven't accessed the account.

One Family friend wrote: "Jay's mums asked I post this... For everyone asking who has logged into his instagram account, it’s not him or her, somebody else has logged into it." The same friend turned comments off on the post, which has been liked more than 100 times.

It is thought Jay, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, disappeared after an attempt to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus.

Lancashire Police's offer of help in search 'remains open' to Spanish

Lancashire Police said it has offered to support the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater who disappeared during a holiday in Tenerife.

A statement from the force read: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with Jay’s family at this time. They must be going through the most distressing ordeal not knowing what has happened to their loved one.

“We have specialist officers who are continuing to support Jay’s family. Whilst this case falls outside the jurisdiction of UK policing, we have made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources.

“They have confirmed that at this time they are satisfied that they have the resources they need, but that offer remains open and they will contact us should that position change.”

Day five of search concludes with no sign of missing teen

Tenerife rescue teams have been unable to find missing teenager Jay Slater as the fifth day of searching concludes. The 19-year-old was last heard from on the morning of Monday June 17.

Officers are likely to resume their search in the morning, focusing on a ravine around 100 metres below the rental property where Jay was last seen, as well as in mountains between Masca and San Jose, and Masca and Las Portelas.

Inside secluded Airbnb where Jay Slater stayed

The secluded Airbnb let named Casa Abuela Tina, is located just outside the village of Masca where Jay was last known to stay before his disappearance.

The rental isn't situated in a bustling resort filled with hotels, apartments, shops and eateries. Instead, it's discreetly tucked away by the side of a road - so inconspicuous you could easily miss it.

According to the Manchester Evening News, navigating the area would be incredibly difficult if you were unfamiliar with the area, especially on foot; the very steep, narrow and winding roads are frequented by cars driving at high speeds. A 15-minute downhill journey will get you into Masca, but venturing any further would realistically require some form of road transport; whether that be via car, taxi or bus.

An online post describes the Airbnb as having "two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room and kitchen ideal to enjoy the tranquillity, reading, hiking or nature".

It adds: "The house has WiFi and all the necessary appliances for a comfortable stay in one of the most beautiful and rugged places on the island, nestled in the heart of Macizo de Teno." There is no suggestion the property's owners or the two British men have anything to do with Jay's disappearance.

Tenerife police make chilling 12-word admission

Spanish police admitted they have prepared officers about possibly finding a body in their ongoing search for teenager Jay Slater - with cops saying they will not stop until they have solved the mystery.

The police said “Officers obviously are prepared for the possibility they may find a body.”

One source said this morning: “There’s no talk at this stage of scaling down the efforts to find this missing man and certainly not of suspending it. The plan at the moment is to continue until he is found."

GoFundMe for Jay Slater surpasses £25k in donations

An official GoFundMe fundraiser set up by Jay's friend Lucy Mae has surpassed £25,000 in donations.

The campaign, titled "Get Jay Slater home" has seen £25,096 of the £30,000 target raised so far.

It has not yet been made clear what the £30,000 is being used for.

Rescue team seen 'looking over cliff edges'

Members of the search team were seen "looking over cliff edges" and "over the landscape" as the search for Jay Slater continues, says Manchester Evening News reporter James Holt.

Civil Defence officers from the search team are looking over cliff edges and over the landscape as the search continues @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/XKErhtAHA4

— James Holt - M.E.N (@jameshjourno) June 21, 2024

Where are search teams looking?

Search and rescue teams are focusing on three different areas in the vicinity of Parque Rural de Teno nature reserve, where Jay went missing on Monday. They include a ravine around 100 metres below the rental property where Jay was last seen, as well as in mountains between Masca and San Jose, and Masca and Las Portelas.

Sombre feel in the village of Oswaldtwistle

Concerned locals in Jay's hometown of Oswaldtwistle say "everyone is talking about Jay" as they place blue ribbons around the community to "raise awareness" and "show support".

One resident who lives just doors away from Jay's family home said: "Everyone is talking about Jay, everybody. A lot of people know him, I knew his mum, all my family know them. I have joined the Facebook group and I look at it every 15 minutes for an update. I have his mum's best friend on Facebook and she keeps us updated.

The people of Oswaldtwistle are tying blue ribbons so show their support in the search for Jay Slater @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/m4fk5isMsb

— Megan Banner (@MeganJBanner) June 20, 2024

A few doors down, local Hazel appeared teary as she told the Liverpool Echo how she knew Jay and his mum Debbie very well. She said: "I have watched him grow up over the years, I have lived on this street 16 years and they have lived here much longer than I have. I know his mum, his grandma was friends with my mum - my mum texted me last night and said 'I hope they find him.'

"I have watched him grow up, he is a grand lad, a smashing lad, no problems. I am going to get family a card today and there are prayers on at the church down the road tonight. We can't search for him so we are just doing prayers and thinking about him. He is a lovely lad and the family are lovely. We have turned Facebook blue for him. His mum is out there."

Locals continue blue ribbon display in Jay's hometown

Dozens of locals and business owners in Jay's hometown of Oswaldtwistle are coming together to help distribute blue ribbons to show support for the missing teenager and his family.

Dozens of businesses in #Oswaldtwistle are coming together to help distribute blue ribbons to show support for Jay Slater and his family.

Julia Creamer’s salon, The Perfect Tan & Beauty, is one of them. pic.twitter.com/yB59A5cysq

— Hits Radio News | Lancashire (@HitsLancsNews) June 21, 2024

Locals earlier said they are showing their support to friends and family who have travelled overseas to join the search efforts by ‘turning the streets blue’. The ribbons were seen tied around lampposts and fences in the Blackburn Road area yesterday afternoon. Sharing a clip of the display, one person took to X and wrote: "The people of Oswaldtwistle are tying blue ribbons so show their support in the search for Jay Slater."

Today's search in pictures

Earlier today, rescue teams in Tenerife said they will be focusing their search on three key areas in hopes to find Jay.

Police and rescue workers will search in three different areas in the vicinity of Parque Rural de Teno nature reserve, where Jay went missing on Monday morning. They include a ravine around 100 metres below the rental property where Jay was last seen, as well as in mountains between Masca and San Jose, and Masca and Las Portelas.

Jay's mum says Tenerife police frustrated at online 'noise'

The mother of missing Brit Jay Slater says online "noise" and speculation about her son's disappearance has began to frustrate police in Tenerife. Debbie Duncan says that the police have "stepped up" in a bid to find him, but are concerned that online sleuths could affect the case.

She told Manchester Evening News: “We’ve been there [the police station] all day today, and I think it’s been stepped up. We’ve had a problem with the language barrier.

"It’s difficult with all the Spanish police and British police; they have to let the Spanish police do the investigation. They [the police] have actually said that there’s too much noise - that’s affecting it. They’ve got all the plans, their locations. They have got this map they were showing us, all shaded in different colours.”

Spanish police reject British cops offer of help

Spanish police have rejected British officers's help in the search for missing Jay Slater.

Lancashire Police have confirmed the Guardia Civil in Tenerife declined the force's offer to help with the search. This is despite close friends confirming earlier today "no updates" could be shared despite the deployment of helicopters, drones and sniffer dogs across the mountainous terrain.

Masca Airbnb rental is 'miles from civilisation'

The Airbnb rental that Jay Slater stayed at before vanishing is "miles from civilisation", Manchester Evening News has reported.

The 19-year-old is understood to have stayed with two people, described as British men, that he reportedly met on the island after partying at the NRG festival.

A reporter at the scene said the Airbnb "was difficult to reach even by car", adding: "With just one road in and out, which is beside a steep cliff with nail-bitingly tight corners, it seemed only few tourists visited the village, very much off the beaten track, to experience the views, the majority of which were on pre-booked tours.

"There are only two restaurants within reasonable walking distance, and one bus stop that has services running between every 60 and 90 minutes, and only to Santiago del Teide and Lomo de Masca.

"There are little footpaths or signed routes in the surrounding area for those who may be on foot, and taxis to and from the rental from other popular destinations would be extremely costly. It feels as though it is in the middle of nowhere."

Why did Jay opt for an 11-hour walk over a bus ride?

Jay reportedly decided against waiting two hours for a bus that would have taken him back into town.

Witness Ophelia Medina Hernandez said she saw the teenager at around 8am standing by a bus stop just outside of the village of Masca. The Airbnb host said he had asked her about buses back to Los Cristianos. She explained: “I held up my fingers on my hands to say 10am as he didn’t understand me then I went home briefly before driving up the mountain to Buenavista del Norte, but this time I saw him walking on the road out of the village.

"It was no more than ten or fifteen minutes after I had spoken to him and he was about a kilometre from the house. I drove past him and that’s the last I saw him.”

Despite there being a main road nearby, questions have surfaced as to why Jay appeared to instead wander into the wilderness. His friend Lucy Mae said: “What I don’t understand is if he did walk down then why wasn’t he seen by anyone? It’s a busy time of day, the place is full of hikers and holidaymakers, he could have asked them for help or stopped somewhere but no one has seen him at all.”

Tenerife reports multiple 'drug trafficking arrests'

Local media have reported several drug trafficking arrests in Tenerife in recent years.

In June 2023, the National Police arrested 13 members of an organised crime gang for trafficking drugs in the Canaries, Canarian Weekly reports. Officers seized 5kg of cocaine, 94kg of hashish, and 26,000 euros in cash.

A local media report states that the gang was moving drugs by sea from the ferry port in Agaete (Gran Canaria) to Santa Cruz (Tenerife), before distributing it around the island. In September 2022, the same local news site reported that two British drug dealers had been arrested in the south of Tenerife at Los Cristianos.

And in November 2023, Canarian Weekly reported a similar arrest involving nine people on suspicion of using cannabis clubs as a front to sell drugs to foreign tourists in the south of Tenerife around Playa de las Américas. Cannabis clubs in Tenerife are legal, but they are only allowed to sell licenced amounts of marijuana and other narcotics on the premises to members of the club's association so that sales and usage are regulated. In this case, 5.5 kilograms of marijuana, 1 kilogram of hashish, 49 hallucinogenic mushrooms, and over 1,600 euros in cash were seized.

Masca landcape is 'extreme and difficult'

A person who joined in on the search for Jay in the Masca area of Tenerife has said the landscap is "extreme and difficult."

Posting on an official Facebook page set up by Jay's family, the user wrote: "I am here at the base location now in Masca. Until you get here you don’t realise just how extreme and difficult the landscape is. Search dog has just been put in the van and moved to a different location.

"Seen a couple of my cars up here but certainly could be more people on the pathways walking, if you do come up BE CAREFUL, its 17 degrees (10 degrees different to the South) and is raining, thin air, steep and loose under foot."

Missing teen ‘asked for bus times’ before disappearing

Jay Slater had asked a local cafe owner for bus times before he vanished in a remote area of Tenerife. Witness Ofelia Medina Hernandez says Jay asked her twice what time the bus would arrive in Buenavista Del Norte, Tenerife, at around 8am on Monday.

Ms Hernandez told Sky News: “I saw the boy in the morning, at around 8am. He asked twice what time the bus came. I told him ‘at 10 o’clock’. He came back and asked me again, and I told him again - at 10 o’clock.

Jay's local takeaway: 'We're missing you'

A takeaway called Love Chico's in Oswaldtwistle has sent a message of support to Jay Slater, the Lancashire Telegraph reports.

Love Chico's said: "Jay Slater where are you my friend! You used to come to Love Chico's always smiling. I hope you see this, we're missing you here in Oswaldtwistle. Come back and enjoy food on us.

The takeaway also offered to help Jay's family in "any way", adding: "Any family members please let us know if we can help in any way at Love Chico's."

Lancashire Police releases statement on Jay Slater

Lancashire Police have just released a statement on the disappearance of Jay Slater. The force said that despite the case falling outside the jurisdiction of UK policing, they have offered Spanish Police support "to see if they need any additional resources."

The statement reads: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with Jay's family at this time. They must be going through the most distressing ordeal not knowing what has happened to their loved one. We have specialist officers who are continuing to support Jay's family.

"Whilst this case falls outside the jurisdiction of UK policing, we have made an offer of support to the Guardia Civil to see if they need any additional resources. They have confirmed that at this time they are satisfied that they have the resources they need, but that offer remains open and they will contact us should that position change.

"Once again, our thoughts remain with Jay's family and friends at this distressing time."

Prayer service in Jay's hometown sees crowds attend

A prayer service held in Jay's hometown in Oswaldtwistleon, Lancashire, on Thursday evening saw roughly 50 people attend.

Crowds gathered at West End Methodist Church to pray and leave messages for Jay and his family.

Jay's former school sends message of support

Jay's former secondary school has sent a message of support to the teenager and his family. The 19-year-old attended Rhyddings, on Haworth Street in Oswaldtwistle. Headteacher, Mr Andrew Williams, said Jay's mum, Debbie Duncan, was "unwavering in her support" of him.

He said: "Jay was a former pupil at Rhyddings and news of his disappearance has shocked us all.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, especially his mum, who we knew well she was and is unwavering in her support of her son.

"Like everyone who knows him we all want a safe return for Jay and we continue to have hope for him re-uniting with his family."

New pictures of search from police helicopter

Spanish police have released the first footage of their efforts in the search for Jay Slater.

A police helicopter was seen flying over the Masca Gorge, while officers from a specialist mountain rescue unit called the Greim and others with scent dogs searched on the ground. While the guard is leading the operation, it is a coordinated, multi-organisation effort that has also seen participation from firefighters and local Civil Protection workers. Pictures show they have used drones to assist the operation, with one source stating efforts will continue until the teenager is found.

One well-placed source said this morning: "There’s no talk at this stage of scaling down the efforts to find this missing man and certainly not of suspending it. The plan at the moment is to continue until he is found. Officers obviously are prepared for the possibility they may find a body but at the moment everyone is focused on the idea he is still alive and they can help reunite him with his family and friends."

Jay's Instagram account 'being used by mystery person'

Friends of Jay have claimed a mystery person is using his Instagram account.

An "official" Facebook group giving updates on the search spoke of concerns about activity on Jay's Instagram account. It is understood the account has been used frequently since he was last heard from - but pals insist he or his mother haven't accessed the account.

One Family friend wrote: "Jay's mums asked I post this... For everyone asking who has logged into his instagram account, it’s not him or her, somebody else has logged into it." The same friend turned comments off on the post, which has been liked more than 100 times.