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GOFUNDME will work with Jay Slater’s family “in the coming weeks” to determine what will happen to more than £50,000 worth of donations.
A body was tragically found in Tenerife on Monday in the hunt for missing Brit teenager Jay after a gruelling four-week search.
A body has been found in the hunt for missing British teenager Jay SlaterPixel8000
Jay (R) with his older brother Zak (L) and mum Debbie Duncan (C)Tim Stewart
Ian Whittaker
Cops fear the 19-year-old may have accidentally fallen to his death while walking in a remote area of the island – and his family now face a brutal wait for his exact cause of death.
A GoFundMe set up after Jay vanished four weeks ago has now raised nearly £54,000 – and a flurry of donations poured in after a body was found.
Jay’s mum Debbie Duncan had said part of the donations were being used to pay for the private search.
Following the discovery of a body, a GoFundMe spokesperson said it was in “regular contact” with Jay’s family – and would determine “next steps” in the coming weeks.
They told The Sun said: “We are in regular contact with Jay’s family and will work together with them in the coming weeks on the next steps around the funds donated.”
Apprentice bricklayer Jay vanished on the morning of June 17 after going to a rave the night before with friends – sparking a huge effort to find the Lancashire teen.
Spanish cops axed the official search less than two weeks in – but a body believed to be Jay’s was found today in the area he was last known to be, Masca.
A spokesman for the Civil Guard said today: “After 29 constant days of searching the lifeless body of the young man has been found in the Masca area.
“The discovery has been possible thanks to the tireless and discreet search carried out by the Civil Guard over these 29 days.
“Everything is pointing to the body being that of the young British man who disappeared on June 17, pending full identification.
“Initial inquiries are pointing to him having suffered an accident/fall in the area where he was found.”
It is understood the body was found close to where his mobile phone last pinged – with Jay’s belongings and clothes.
But Spanish cops have refused to reveal the exact location of where the body was found.
Jay’s distraught family have been updated and a formal investigation by police is set to follow.
British overseas missing persons charity LBT Global said: “LBT Global is saddened to announce that a body found in Tenerife does look to be that of Jay Slater.
“It is understood the body was found close to the site of his mobile phone’s last location.
“Although formal identification is yet to be carried out, the body was found with Mr Slater’s possessions and clothes.
“LBT Global are supporting the family at this distressing time and ask for everyone to afford them space and privacy to come to terms with the news.”
Jay’s devastated mum Debbie had just today told of the the “heartache” the family are suffering.
Ian Whittaker
PA
PASpanish police said the body was located in a “very inaccessible area”.
They added: “The results of the autopsy are awaiting confirmation that it is an accident.”
A Civil Guard spokesman said the body was found at around 10am on Monday – some two hours before they went public with the news.
He said: “The large-scale operation involving multiple units had been suspended but as we always said, we never stopped looking for Jay.
“The mountain rescue group continued looking for the missing man when they were on duty and have now found the remains of a person they believe is him.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said they have been notified by the Civil Guard that a body has been found – and that “the indications are that this is Jay Slater”.
Jay travelled to the unforgiving mountainous area in the early hours of June 17 with two men after a night of partying.
He then left in the morning, but after learning he’d missed the bus started trying to do the 11-hour trek back to his own accommodation.
One of the men – convicted drug dealer Ayub Qassim – says Jay left the house alive.
Jay made a final frantic call to friend Lucy Law to say he was lost, had one per cent phone battery, and needed water.
In an earlier call to friend Brad, his feet could be heard slipping on the rocks.
Lucy reported Jay missing to Spanish cops a few hours after their final phone call – sparking a huge search across the island that would last for almost two weeks.
Jay’s upset mum Debbie Duncan quickly rushed over to Tenerife to help cops with their investigation.
The mountain rescue group continued looking for the missing man when they were on duty and have now found the remains of a person they believe is him
Civil GuardShe was later followed by Jay’s older brother Zak, 24, and his dad Warren Slater, 58, as well as a number of volunteers.
The case quickly gained global attention as the family called for help to scour the mountains where Jay’s phone last pinged on June 17.
Jay’s final location showed he was near Rural de Teno Park – a massive barren landscape filled with bushes and rocks.
Dozens of rescue workers and the Spanish Guardia Civil all took to the mountain range using sniffer dogs, drones, a helicopter and volunteers.
But after cops had no success, the official search was called off on June 30 after two weeks.
Jay’s heartbroken and frustrated family vowed to carry on the hunt regardless.
A new team led by local hiker Juan Garcia, and including Jay’s uncle Glen Duncan, dad Warren and brother Zak, focused on an area of a gorge close before exploring caves, ravines and slopes.
Seasoned mountain experts who were flown out by Jay’s family said the search was hampered by the altitude, heat and the size of the area.
Warren voiced similar concerns over the huge area they needed to look through.
He warned it would’ve taken “an army 10 years” to search the whole area as the distraught father pleaded with Interpol and British cops to help.
Jay’s dad Warren has been left heartbroken after spending weeks in TenerifeIan Whittaker
Ian Whittaker
English (US)