Jay Slater search in Tenerife concludes with major development in case of missing Brit

The search for missing British teenager Jay Slater in Tenerife has been called off after nearly two weeks , police have confirmed. Jay, 19, vanished on Monday, June 17, while attempting to walk a long distance back to his accommodation on the island during the NRG rave festival.

The young apprentice bricklayer had journeyed to an AirBnB in the village of Masca, roughly a 40-minute drive from his lodgings , before deciding to make the trek back on foot. The Civil Guard announced today (Sunday) that the nearly two-week-long search operation, which involved sniffer dogs, a helicopter, and mountain rescue experts scouring the mountainous terrain, has now concluded.

A spokeswoman stated: "The search operation has now finished although the case remains open." The formal end of the search came at 10 am on Sunday morning, with media arriving at the usual meeting point at the search site only to find it deserted.

• Hawk Tuah girl 'predicted by The Simpsons' as fans spot eerie scene from 1992 episode
• Taylor Swift visits a pub with sentimental meaning - and staff reveal what she's really like

Just a day prior, around 30 rescue workers and dozens of journalists had gathered in the area following a call for volunteer assistance from Tenerife's top cop Angel Sanz Coronado. A reliable source revealed: "The daily operation which has been going on in and around Masca close to where Jay was last seen has been brought to an end. If any information comes in that merits a new search though it will be acted upon," reports the Mirror .

"My understanding is Jay's parents have been informed of what obviously is a major development. Nothing of any relevance was found during yesterday's large-scale search."

On Saturday, officers were still insisting they would continue the search with no plans to call it off. However, in what many believe is a sign of dwindling hope, only six volunteers showed up, including British TikToker and amateur mountaineer Paul Arnott, 29, who is assisting the family from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire.

Jay was last spotted by a local resident in Masca in north-west Tenerife just after 8 am on June 17 heading north along the road out of the village after asking her for directions. His phone last pinged near a lookout point where search teams assembled yesterday to commence the final day of the operation.

For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here .

Friend Lucy Law revealed that Jay had phoned her shortly after his last sighting to say he was thirsty, had no water, and only one percent battery left on his phone. The Civil Guard has stated that the 'parallel' investigation by police investigators, which they are not disclosing information about, is ongoing despite the suspension of the 'visible' mountain search in and around Masca.

The major investigation has so far seen top detective Mark Williams-Thomas travel to Tenerife to assist the family in finding answers. Meanwhile, the case has been clouded by speculation from online sleuths and armchair detectives offering unfounded theories.

Speaking to the press on Wednesday, Mr Williams-Thomas urged two British men who were last seen with Jay on Sunday night to come forward. However, the Civil Guard has since cleared these individuals of any involvement.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .