Desperate Dad: ‘My Son’s Disappearance Doesn’t Make Sense’ – A Heartbreaking Search in Tenerife

Warren Slater, the father of missing teenager Jay Slater, has expressed his mounting frustration and desperation as the search for his son continues three weeks after his disappearance in Tenerife. Jay, a 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was last seen on June 17 leaving an Airbnb near the village of Masca, where his phone last pinged.

Warren and Jay’s brother Zak have been tirelessly scouring the rugged terrain surrounding the area where Jay was last seen. Despite their relentless efforts, Warren feels the task is overwhelming. “It would take an army 10 years to search all of the rugged mountainous terrain,” he lamented.

The search party recently explored the Los Carrizales Valley, following leads that ultimately led to two “wild goose chases” to abandoned buildings. Warren’s frustration with the local police investigation is palpable, and he has been vocal about his desire for British authorities to step in. “We need British cops to get involved and help the family,” he urged.

After a morning spent navigating the mountainous landscape, the group took a brief respite in the village of Santiago del Teidi before resuming their search. They have meticulously covered the Valley of Barranco de Juan Lopez but have now moved further along the path. Warren recounted their exhaustive efforts, saying, “I’ve been through 80% of that valley, so we went further along. We drove and we walked down the path at the next village. Up the mountain, there’s a viewpoint that looks down.”

Warren’s confusion about Jay’s possible whereabouts is evident. He questions why Jay would deviate from the road, saying, “It doesn’t make sense, he’s either hid himself, but why would he hide himself? Or he’s just …?”

Jay had been vacationing in Tenerife with friends Lucy and Brad Hargreaves. On the night of his disappearance, he had been at the Papagayo nightclub in Playa de las Americas. He left the event with two British men and returned to the Airbnb. Warren believes these men should be interviewed by British authorities to gain more insight into Jay’s disappearance.

Warren is determined to continue the search but feels the need for more resources. “We need a team to come over here and find out for us what the police are doing and what we need to do. Our hands are tied over here; we need experts. How long can you stay here for? It’ll take an army 10 years to cover all this. I’d employ a team of Gurkhas.”

Despite the exhaustive efforts, the family has yet to receive any significant updates from the Spanish police. The urgency and desperation in Warren’s plea for help highlight the emotional toll this search has taken on the family. “We’ve done the valley where his ping was; we’ve gone up the road to a vantage point. There are cliffs there and a valley and a village there,” he explained.

The lack of sightings of Jay along the busy mountain road further complicates the search. Warren noted, “Dozens of cars would have gone past him. We got here at 9 am, and the 10 am bus passed us. And it would have passed him.”

Jay’s disappearance remains a heart-wrenching mystery, and his family’s relentless search continues in hopes of finding answers.