JAY Slater’s cause of death was confirmed as his devastated family sent a special plea to his loved ones ahead of his funeral.
The British teenager’s body was flown back to the UK last week and his funeral is scheduled for August 10.
Jay, 19, from Lancashire, died while on holiday in Tenerife with two friends on June 17.
His mother Debbie Duncan, 55, father Warren, 58, and Jay’s brother Zak, 24, returned home from the island last week, where they spent a month searching for Jay.
An autopsy in the UK confirmed that Jay died from traumatic head injuries consistent with a “fall from height”.
Spanish police found his body in a deep ravine in the mountains of northern Tenerife after he slipped while trying to return to his hotel.
The coroner’s report said his death would have been instantaneous.
Now Jay’s heartbroken family have made an emotional plea to friends and loved ones ahead of his memorial service next weekend.
They asked people to wear blue, rather than the traditional black, to the church service.
And they suggested that people donate to LBT Global, a charity that supports families of Britons missing abroad, instead of buying flowers.
LBT Global told the press it would use the funds to help cases like Jay’s.
In a touching tribute, Jay’s loved ones wrote: “A loving son of Debbie and Warren, a dear brother to Zak and brother-in-law to Jessica, a cherished grandson to Dawn, June and the late Dougie, a much-loved nephew to Glen and Katie, a beloved cousin of Maddie and Tillie and a loyal friend to many.
“Jay will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
“Attendees are invited to wear something blue in his memory.”
The cost of the funeral will be covered by the GoFundMe page set up by Jay’s friend Lucy Mae Law days after his disappearance.
Fundraising soared to over £70,000 with over 5,600 donations.
It reached £60,000 in an outpouring of support in the days after Jay’s body was found and has continued to rise since.
Debbie announced in a heartfelt statement via the fundraiser, “We want to give our boy the send-off he deserves.”
Online attackers criticized Debbie and other family members for encouraging people to donate to the page, even after Jay was found.
In a statement released on the ‘Get Jay Slater Home’ GoFundMe page, Debbie said: “Hello everyone, thank you for all your kindness, support and condolences in light of the tragic news that Jay’s body has been found.
“We are overwhelmed by the pain and so grateful for your support.”
Jay Slater’s moving obituary
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REMEMBERING fondly Jay Dean Slater, of Fountains Way, Oswaldtwistle, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday 17th June 2024 whilst on holiday in Tenerife, aged 19.
After Jay left Rhyddings High School he became an apprentice bricklayer with the PH Build group, a job he thoroughly enjoyed.
At the age of 5, Jay started playing football for Huncoat United FC until he was 17 and also had a few seasons with St Joesph’s Sunday team.
He also loved spending time relaxing with his friends.
Jay’s love for music and dance began at a young age. He loved attending music festivals and events across the country and also loved socializing and meeting new people.
A loving son to Debbie and Warren, a dear brother to Zak and brother-in-law to Jessica, a dear grandson to Dawn, June and the late Dougie, a much loved nephew to Glen and Katie, a dear cousin to Maddie and Tillie and a loyal friend For many. Jay will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10.30am on Saturday 10 August 2024 in Accrington Cemetery Chapel prior to burial.
Participants are asked to wear something blue in his memory.
Only flowers for the family please, but if anyone would like to bring a single rose to Jay’s house they would be more than welcome.
Jay’s body was tragically found on Monday, July 15, almost a month after he disappeared, at the bottom of a treacherous ravine in Masca.
The apprentice bricklayer traveled to a remote Airbnb in Masca with two men in the early hours of June 17.
He spent the entire night partying in Playa de las Americas, about an hour’s drive away.
In the morning he attempted the 11-hour walk back to his accommodation, miles away.
Jay made one last tragic phone call to his friend Lucy Law to say he was lost, needed water and only had one percent battery left on his phone.
That was the last time Jay, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancshire, was heard from and a massive search mission was launched.
Jay’s family stayed in Santiago del Teide, the gateway town to the mountainous region, during the hunt.
Jay’s father, Warren, and brother Zak spent weeks searching for a discovery in the unforgiving terrain after the teenager went missing on June 17.
They retraced their steps in the scorching heat for days on their own after Spanish police suspended the search.
But his body was finally discovered by a helicopter crew on Monday, at the bottom of a ravine near where his cell phone last rang.
Tributes and flowers poured in days after Jay’s body was found.
Debbie left a handwritten note that said, “I miss you so much. You will always be young and I will miss you forever. I love you so much.”
Timeline of the tragic case
The grim discovery of a body comes after weeks of agony for Jay’s friends and family. Here’s how events unfolded
Sunday, June 16th: Jay and his friends party on the last day of the NRG music festival, held at Papagayo nightclub in Playa de la Americas, Tenerife.
June 17th, from 3am to 6am: Jay leaves with Ayub Qassim and another man to a £40-a-night Airbnb 23 miles away in the village of Masca.
7:30 am: Jay shares a photo on Snapchat standing in the doorway of the Airbnb.
8:50 am: He calls his friend Lucy Mae Law and says he is “lost in the middle of nowhere,” with no water, a cut on his leg and a percent on the phone.
Tuesday, June 18: Friend search area, but no sign of Jay. Local police and mountain rescue teams begin official searches. Jay’s mother, Debbie Duncan, flies to Tenerife.
June 19th to 20th: The Spanish police use drones, dogs and a helicopter, but find no traces. The search continues to Los Cristianos amid a possible sighting, but it is ruled out and they return to Rural de Teno, near Masca.
June 21th: Lancashire Police offers support, but it is refused.
June 22: Mom Debbie makes an emotional plea to Jay, saying “We just need you home.”
June 24th: Jay is alleged to have been sighted in Santiago del Teide – close to where he disappeared – and the family believe a grainy CCTV image could be of him.
June 25th: Debbie asks her son to return home while more friends travel and TV investigator Mark Williams-Thomas joins the search.
June 29: The police remove Mr. Qassim and another man from the Airbnb from the investigation.
June 30: Spanish police officially suspend the hunt, but say the investigation “remains open”. His family continues to search.
July 15: A body is found by the helicopter search team near where his phone last rang. Their belongings are discovered alongside human remains. Spanish police say this points to an “accidental fall”.
Today: Tenerife authorities confirm that the body found in the mountainous area of the island is that of Jay.
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