Chance Jay Slater's family walked past body in Tenerife search 'entirely possible'
The body of the British teenager who went missing while on holiday in Spain has now been located following a search across mountainous terrain.
Jay Slater's family "could have walked past" the missing teen's body during the desperate four-week search in Tenerife.
Following an extensive search, a body found near Masca, has now been confirmed as belonging to missing British tourist 19-year-old Jay Slater.
The teenager, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, had not been seen since June 17 despite a huge coordinated search operation involving local authorities, international organisations and Mr Slater’s family and friends.
Now, just days after the remains were located, a source close to the family has revealed it is “entirely possible” the family could have walked right by the body as they supported the search effort.
Speaking to The Sun, the source explained: “It seems incredible so many people walked that area and yet he was so close.”
Following confirmation of Mr Slater’s death, his mother Debbie Duncan, 55, issued a statement describing the development as “the worst news”.
The family source reported: “It hasn’t completely sunk in yet. The hardest thing for her [Ms Duncan] is to hear he was found so close to the original search site.
“It means it’s entirely possible they have walked past his body while searching for him."
Mr Slater’s remains were located by members of a mountain rescue team from the Spanish Civil Guard near the village of Masca on Monday.
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Documents initially found with the body were identified as belonging to Mr Slater and a Spanish court has since confirmed the remains are that of the missing teenager using fingerprint technology.
The Canary Islands High Court of Justice has said the injuries sustained by Mr Slater are consistent with suffering a fall in a rocky area.
Ms Duncan said: “I just can’t believe this could happen to my beautiful boy. Our hearts are broken.”
Last night, West End Methodist Church in Mr Slater’s hometown held a service of prayer and reflection for the local community.
Following the gathering, floral tributes, balloons and messages of support for Mr Slater’s family were left outside the church.
