The search for missing UK teen Jay Slater has ended tragically with the discovery of his remains in Tenerife, Spain. Jay, 19, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was found nearly a month after he went missing. “The Spanish Civil Guard has indicated that the evidence strongly suggests the remains are Jay’s.” Forensic tests confirmed his identity and revealed he died from multiple traumas due to a fall in a rocky area.

Jay’s remains were found by the Mountain Rescue and Intervention Group on July 15 near his last known phone signal. The area was so steep and rugged that it was inaccessible by foot. “The body was found in an extremely inaccessible location,” the Guardia Civil confirmed. Despite the challenging terrain, the team remained committed to the search.

Jay’s friend, Brad Hargreaves, paid a heartfelt tribute, saying there were “no words” to describe the loss. Jay’s mother, Debbie Duncan, expressed the family’s profound grief, stating, “We cannot put into words the heartache we are suffering as a family.” Debbie also demanded answers about how search teams missed her son’s body initially.

Despite the official suspension of the large-scale search on June 29, Jay’s family and friends never gave up. They distributed flyers and worked with search teams, showing relentless determination. The Guardia Civil emphasized the difficult nature of the search but acknowledged the community’s and volunteers’ crucial roles in the effort.