Jay Slater – latest: Family say ‘worst fears realised’ after body of British teenager found in Tenerife

A family source said The sun Jay’s mother Debbie Duncan was completely devastated and said: “It’s the news they’ve all been dreading. She has a lot of questions that she hopes to find answers to in the next few days.”

“She hasn’t fully realized it yet. The hardest part for her is learning that he was found so close to the original search location. It’s hard to accept. It means that it’s entirely possible that they walked past his body while searching for him.

“It seems incredible that so many people have walked through this area and yet it is so close. As we have seen with mountainous terrain and ravines, it does happen, although it is hard to believe.”

Dozens of balloons were released in Jay Slater’s hometown as those who knew him held an emotional vigil in memory of the teenager.

Tearful residents comforted each other in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, on the day Tenerife authorities confirmed they had found his body in Teno Rural Park.

While Jay’s mother Debbie Duncan and father Warren Slater remain on the island as four weeks of gruelling searches draw to a close, his loved ones in the UK have paid tribute to him.

Jay’s football coach Pam Kierons laid flowers in memory of the apprentice bricklayer and told the Mirror: “I’m devastated for the family, devastated for Debbie. The outcome is not what anyone wanted but at least they can bring his body home.”

“It’s disgusting that people have looked at past issues and come up with crazy conspiracy theories. Unfortunately, the most likely thing that should have happened, did.”

Reverend Matt Smith told the newspaper: “Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We are here to support them when they need us.”

Blue ribbons were tied to trees and streetlights in the area while dozens of blue balloons were released.

Spanish authorities have confirmed that the body found in Tenerife is that of Jay Slater and that the injuries he suffered are consistent with an accidental fall.

“We have a positive identification,” a court spokesman said. “Fingerprints confirm the body belongs to Jay Slater and the cause of death was multiple trauma consistent with a fall in a mountainous area.”

The “devastated” family of Jay Slater have said their “worst fears have come true” after a body found during the search for the missing British teenager was confirmed to be his.

The CEO of charity LBT Global, which has supported Mr Slater’s family through their ordeal, said he was with the teenager’s mother, Debbie Duncan, 55, when the “worst news” broke.

Speaking of Mr Slater’s family, Matthew Searle said: The Independent“This is the worst news they could have hoped for. There is always a glimmer of hope until they have confirmation that they were wrong and it was someone else, but unfortunately they were not wrong and their worst fears came true.”

My colleague Tara Cobham contains the full report of today’s events:

The headteachers of Jay Slater’s former primary and secondary schools have issued new statements following the discovery of his body in Tenerife.

Andrew Williams, of Rhyddings High School, and James McBride of West End Primary School, said everyone in their communities had sent their deepest condolences to everyone who knew the 19-year-old.

“As a devoted mother, we know that Debbie would never have given up her search for Jay, and she and her family are firmly in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time,” their statement said.

“We hope that this tragic discovery will not only dispel all rumors, but also allow the family to return to their son and offer him the dignity of his mourning and grief in private.”

When British teenager Jay Slater disappeared in northern Tenerife a month ago, the case captured national attention.

Tens of thousands of pounds have been donated by the public to fund the search, with some even volunteering to travel to the popular holiday island to help. Helicopters, sniffer dogs and, in the final days of the search, private experts have been mobilised in the hope of finding the Lancashire teenager.

The search followed Mr Slater’s last known steps through dangerous valleys and treacherous ravines until his body was found after four gruelling weeks.

My colleague Alexander Butler has more details:

The West End Methodist Church in Oswaldtwistle is set to open tonight for people to light a candle, say prayers and write messages of support to the loved ones of Jay Slater, the Lancashire Telegraph reports.

Reverend Matt Smith said: “We will be opening the church from 7pm to 8pm so people can come and gather.

“It won’t be a service, which will be held on Sunday as usual at 10:30 a.m., but it’s a place where people can come together, support each other, say prayers and write messages of support to the family and be together.”

Accrington and Rossendale College, where Jay Slater was an apprentice bricklayer, issued a statement to the BBC saying the college was “deeply saddened to hear the news” of the 19-year-old’s death.

“Jay was a hardworking apprentice…with a very bright future ahead of him and our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends and all who knew and loved him,” the statement said.

Acknowledging that the past month has been an “incredibly difficult time,” the college said it will provide support and resources to those who need them.