Jay, 19, had been missing on the island of Tenerife since June 17 A helicopter was used to recover the body was from the Masca ravine Reuters Official rescue teams spent almost two weeks searching for Jay but called off the search at the end of June PA
Police said “everything is pointing” to the body being Jay’s – and initial evidence suggests he tragically died after an “accidental fall”.
Jay’s family as well as officials believe the Brit teen “fell from height” and was “killed instantly”.
A family spokesman told The Sun : “Formal identification of Jay’s body will be done using a DNA sample provided by the family to the Spanish Guardia Civil during the early stages of the search.
“There should be no need for the family to have to perform a formal identification.
“Debbie has said she wants to see him one last time.
“Obviously that’s a personal voice but given he’s been there the best part of a month in those conditions, I’m not sure that’s a memory she will want.”
A family spokesman told Mail Online earlier: “The whole family is absolutely broken. They are devastated. It’s not the outcome they were hoping for.
“It looks as if he fell from a height so he would most likely have been killed instantly and he wasn’t there for a long time.”
He said the family “appreciate the remoteness” of the area and “there is no criticism of the search”.
Officials say the body recovered was “very deteriorated” and it is unlikely full identification will happen until “next week”.
But they say documentation found with the remains was Jay’s and everything is pointing to an accidental fall.
Spanish cops say initial indications from the body – recovered from a steep ravine in the mountainous region of Tenerife – are consistent with a fall from a height.
The family spokesman added: “We would advise for the body to be repatriated and have a second post mortem carried out in the UK.
“It may be that the coroner may demand that as well.
“Overseas autopsies often aren’t to the standard of the Home Office. The second one will be more detailed and thorough.”
While the body has not been formally identified as Jay’s, his family expect the remains to be repatriated within a “week or so” – and a post-mortem to take place in both Tenerife and back in the UK.
Jay was first reported missing the morning after he travelled to the unforgiving mountainous area of Tenerife in the early hours of June 17.
He went to stay at an Airbnb with two men after a night of partying.
He then left in the morning where he tried to do an 11-hour trek back to his own accommodation after missing the bus.
Jay made a final frantic call to friend Lucy Mae Law to say he was lost, had one per cent phone battery, and needed water.
In an earlier call to friend Brad Hargreaves, his feet could be heard slipping on the rocks.
Police combed the area in the south of the island for 12 days using a helicopter, drones and dogs.
THE grim discovery of a body comes after weeks of agony for Jay’s friends and family. Here is how the events unfolded:
Sunday, June 16: Jay and his friends party at the last day of NRG music festival being held at Papagayo night club in Playa de la Americas, Tenerife.
June 17 3-6am: Jay leaves with Ayub Qassim and another man for a £40-a-night Airbnb 23 miles away in the village of Masca.
7.30am: Jay shares a photo on Snapchat standing at doorway of the Airbnb.
8.50am: He calls pal Lucy Mae Law and says he is “lost in the middle of nowhere” with no water, a cut to his leg and one per cent on his phone.
Tuesday, June 18: Pals search area but no sign of Jay. Local cops and mountain rescue teams start official search. Jay’s mother Debbie Duncan flies to Tenerife.
June 19-20: Spanish police deploy drones, dogs and a helicopter, but find no trace. Search moves to Los Cristianos amid possible sighting, but it is ruled out and they return to Rural de Teno, near Masca.
June 21: Lancashire Police offer support but it is declined.
June 22: Mum Debbie issues emotional appeal to Jay saying “We just need you home.”
June 24: Claims of Jay sighting in Santiago del Teide — near to where he disappeared — and family believe a grainy CCTV image could be of him.
June 25: Debbie issues plea for her son to come home as more friends fly out and TV investigator Mark Williams- Thomas joins search.
June 29: Cops rule Mr Qassim, and other man at Airbnb, out of investigation.
June 30: Spanish cops officially suspend hunt but say probe “remains open”. His family continue to search.
Yesterday: A body is found by helicopter search team close to where his phone last pinged. His possessions are discovered next to human remains. Spanish cops say it points to an “accidental fall”.
A spokesman said: “Everything is pointing to the body being that of the young British man who disappeared on June 17, pending full identification.”
They added the search was “complicated” due to the “very difficult terrain”.
A family source said: “It’s the news they have been dreading. She has lots of questions.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said they had been notified that a body was found – and “the indications are that this is Jay Slater”.
They added: “While at this stage no formal identification has been carried out our thoughts are very much with Jay’s family at this time, and we continue to offer them our support.”
Always the happiest and most smiley person in the room, you was one of a kind Jay and you’ll be missed more than you know
Lucy Mae Law Jay's best pal
In a heartbreaking Instagram post, pal Lucy: “Honestly lost for words.
“Always the happiest and most smiley person in the room, you was one of a kind Jay and you’ll be missed more than you know.
“I’m sure you’ll ‘have your dancing shoes polished and ready’ waiting for us all.
“We all love you buddy. Fly high.”
Lucy, 18, shared the message alongside a string of images and videos of the pals together over the years.
An account apparently belonging to Brad wrote: “No words. Nothing will be the same without you. Rest easy brother. Love you always.”
The shock news on Monday came hours after Jay’s family had marked four weeks since he disappeared.
Mum Debbie had said: “We cannot put into words the heartache we are suffering as a family. We are just a normal family desperate to find our beautiful boy.”
Jay’s family are being support by British Embassy officials.
Jay went missing after going on holiday to the NRG rave in Tenerife Ian Whittaker The Airbnb where Jay stayed the night before he vanished without a trace PA Jay Slater and best pal Lucy Mae Law – who described him as the ‘most smiley person in the room’ Tim Stewart Lucy was one of the last people to speak to Jay before he vanished in Tenerife Instagram
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