Jay Slater’s family has announced that his funeral will be a “celebration” of his life. The 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, went missing in Tenerife, leading to an extensive search and distressing speculation. His body was recently returned to the UK, with a post-mortem revealing he died from traumatic head injuries consistent with a fall.
Mourners at his funeral on 10 August are encouraged to wear blue in his memory. Instead of flowers, donations to LBT Global, an overseas crisis support charity that helped the family, have been requested. The service will be held at Accrington Cemetery Chapel before the burial. Family flowers will be present, but attendees are welcome to bring a single rose to place with Jay.
Jay is remembered as a “loving son,” “cherished brother,” and “treasured grandson,” and his family described him as a “loyal friend to many.” They noted he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Jay was passionate about his job as an apprentice bricklayer and had a love for football from a young age. He enjoyed spending time with friends, attending music festivals, and socialising.
This is 100% the last confirmed location of Jay Slater (The missing 19-year-old in Tenerife).
He posted a Snapchat minutes before his phone died, he was behind “Bar Restaurant Masca” just north of the main village of Masca. pic.twitter.com/23oGlqUqMJ
— LeanneSpurs 🇬🇧 (@LeanneSpurs) July 17, 2024
He was in Tenerife with friends for a music festival at Papagayo nightclub in Playa de las Americas. Jay was last heard from on the morning of 17 June after setting off from Rural de Teno Park to return to his accommodation, an 11-hour journey. He called a friend to say he had missed a bus and his phone battery was low.
After a 29-day search, a mountain rescue team from the Spanish Civil Guard discovered a body on 15 July, later confirmed to be Jay’s. The authorities suggested he might have fallen in the steep, inaccessible area where he was found.