Teenager Jay Slater's heartbroken mom fears she will "fall apart" if she doesn't keep herself busy planning her son's funeral.
The 19-year-old's body is expected to be flown back to the UK today with his family, as plans to celebrate the youngsters life are being drawn up. His mom Debbie Duncan who arrived in Tenerife just days after her son went missing is now trying to keep herself busy, according to those supporting her.
Matt Searle, who leads the British overseas missing persons charity LBT Global has been supporting Debbie and Jay 's family since he vanished on Monday, June 17. Mr Searle told the BBC: "Debbie has told me if she is not doing something she will just fall apart."
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Speaking yesterday, Debbie said in a statement: : “I just can’t believe it – we’re here with the embassy staff waiting for an update and now it’s come – the worst news. I just can’t believe this could happen to my beautiful boy. Our hearts are broken.”
The Canary Islands High Court of Justice confirmed the identity of the body with the use of fingerprint technology after the remains were found near the village of Masca in Tenerife on Monday. LBT Global previously said the remains were found with the 19-year-old’s clothes and possessions near his last known location.
The Spanish Civil Guard said Mr Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, could have fallen in the steep and inaccessible area where he was discovered. Following the discovery, Mr Slater’s friend Lucy Law, who was the last known person to speak to him during a phone call on June 17, issued a tribute on her Instagram page.
She said: “Honestly lost for words. Always the happiest and most smiley person in the room, you was (sic) 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.”
Spanish authorities announced that human remains had been found in the Masca area of Tenerife at around 10am on Monday, four weeks after the 19-year-old went missing .
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On Monday, a spokesperson for the Civil Guard said: “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."
Meanwhile, emotional friends were yesterday pictured embracing at a poignant vigil for Jay Slater after the body found in the search for the teen was confirmed as his. Loved ones gathered at West End Methodist Church, in Jay's hometown of Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, to release dozens of blue balloons in the teenager's memory. Each balloon carried a message, such as "you’ll be missed" and "fly high Jay" as tributes were shared to the apprentice bricklayer.
A post-mortem had yesterday confirmed remains found in a ravine in Tenerife were those of the young tourist, who vanished there last month. A court spokesperson on the Canary Island said fingerprints confirmed the body to be Jay , who was discovered alongside his clothes and personal belongings.
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