“Absolutely Heartbroken” Family of Missing Teen Jay Slater Faces Online Abuse Amid Search Effort
The ongoing search for 19-year-old Jay Slater, who vanished in the mountainous regions of northwest Tenerife on June 17, has been marred by a distressing onslaught of online trolling directed at his family and friends. Jay had been staying at an Airbnb rental and reportedly disappeared after walking alone in a remote part of the island. As the Civil Guard, fire crews, and mountain rescue teams intensively search the treacherous Rural de Teno Park, his loved ones have joined the efforts on the ground, via Manchester Evening News.
Jay’s mother, Debbie Duncan, has expressed her profound distress, telling the media that she has “barely slept” and is “at her wit’s end with worry.” However, the pain of the situation has been exacerbated by false accusations and rumors circulating on social media. These baseless claims include allegations of the family ‘partying on boats’ and incorrect reports that Jay’s body had been found.
Rachel Harg, the mother of Jay’s best friend and an admin of the Find Jay Slater Facebook group, has been particularly affected by the false narratives. She recently refuted a viral video that inaccurately depicted her partying during the search. “This is another horrible lie about myself; firstly this isn’t me! I took the video on my last holiday on a boat trip… I am here looking for my son’s best friend, not partying,” Rachel clarified in a social media post, visibly upset by the accusations.
The situation has drawn a reaction from other members of Jay’s circle, including Jessica, a 19-year-old engineer, and Jay’s former girlfriend, who has been actively involved in the search. She has been vocal against the spread of harmful rumors by so-called “online detectives,” urging those hiding behind their screens to stop their detrimental behavior.
Meanwhile, the Spanish police, supported by updates from the consulate, continue their exhaustive search efforts. Debbie Duncan remains hopeful, relying on the effectiveness of the local authorities and the help from people who have come forward with information. “The Spanish police are doing a good job and we are getting updated from the consulate so we just put our faith in them”, reported by Daily Mail.
To aid in the search, a team of specialist sniffer dogs from Madrid has been brought in. These trained canines are scouring the area to trace Jay’s last known movements in hopes of finding him. As the search enters its second week, the Civil Guard has reinforced its efforts, confirming the deployment of several Canine Guides specialized in searching extensive land areas.
As the search continues, the community and Jay’s family hold on to hope, despite the challenges posed by misinformation and online harassment. They remain focused on their primary goal: to bring Jay home safely.