Jay Slater: Dramatic development as search called off by police in Tenerife

Police have concluded their search near the mountain village of Masca for missing Jay Slater, although they maintain that the case 'remains open' and are awaiting any further information that may lead to finding Jay.

The Civil Guard announced today that the nearly two-week-long search, which involved sniffer dogs, a helicopter, and mountain rescue experts, has ended. They stated that officers would continue to act on any tip-offs or other information received - but the active work that has been ongoing since June 17 when the 19 year old apprentice bricklayer was reported missing will now cease, reports the MEN.

This dramatic development was confirmed less than 24 hours after a 'last push' operation involving around 30 police, firefighters, and Civil Protection along with a handful of volunteers, failed to find any trace of the 19 year old from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire.

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A Civil Guard spokeswoman said today: “The search operation has now finished although the case remains open.” A well-placed source added: “The daily operation which has been going on in and around Masca close to where Jay was last seen has been brought to an end. If any information comes in that merits a new search though it will be acted upon.

"My understanding is Jay’s parents have been informed of what obviously is a major development. Nothing of any relevance was found during yesterday’s large-scale search.”

Jay was last seen by a local resident in Masca in north-west Tenerife just after 8am on June 17 walking northwards along the road out of the village after stopping to ask her for directions. His phone last pinged near to a look-out point where search teams gathered yesterday to begin the last day of the operation.

Friend Lucy Law said Jay had called her shortly after he was last seen to say he was thirsty and had no water and just one per cent battery on his phone. The Civil Guard says the ‘parallel’ investigation by police investigators which they are not sharing information on is continuing despite the suspension of the ‘visible’ mountain search in and around Masca.

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