“Absolute Living Nightmare”: Jay Slater’s Mother on the Search for Her Missing Son
A GoFundMe campaign initiated by Lucy Law, the last person to communicate with Jay Slater before his disappearance, has surpassed its £30,000 target, amassing nearly £33,000 in donations as of Monday morning, 24 June. The fundraiser aims to support the efforts to bring Jay Slater home from Tenerife, where he went missing.
The fundraising page was created just three days ago and has already received overwhelming support. A recent update purportedly from Jay’s mother, Debbie Duncan, indicates that the family has endorsed the campaign. The update on the page reads: “We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves. The funds will remain on hold with GoFundMe until we post a further update on this page.”
A spokesperson from GoFundMe confirmed their ongoing communication with Debbie, stating, “We are in touch with Jay Slater’s mother, Debbie, and working with her to keep everyone updated on how their donations will be used in the search. For now, the money is with GoFundMe as we work through the next steps.”
Jay Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, vanished after attempting to return to his accommodation on foot, having missed a bus. He was last seen after attending the NRG music festival on the island with friends. His distressing last call to Ms. Law around 8:30 a.m. on Monday disclosed his disoriented state in the mountains, desperately needing a drink, with his phone battery nearly depleted.
The search efforts have concentrated on small structures near where Jay’s phone last signaled in Rural de Teno Park. The Guardia Civil and other search teams have been inspecting the area, particularly focusing on a couple of buildings at the base of a ravine.
Describing the relentless search, Ms. Duncan shared her profound distress with ITV News: “He’s the life and soul, he’s a beautiful boy.” She recounted the emotional toll of the search, emphasizing the nightmare of not knowing her son’s fate, compounded by the Spanish authorities’ refusal of additional help from the UK, which she fears may be perceived as an insult.
As the search enters its seventh day, the community’s support through the GoFundMe page has been a small solace in a time of immense despair. Ms. Duncan’s poignant message to her son resonates with urgency and love: “We just need you home.” She admitted, “I’ve not slept, I’m exhausted. It’s been awful. I can’t give up on him, I just can’t.”