Jay Slater: Missing man found in Tenerife is glimmer of hope for teen's family

A happy ending for a missing persons case last year in Tenerife is a small glimmer of hope being grasped by Jay Slater's worried family awaiting his own safe return.

Irish national Ryan Cooney - aged 28 at the time - was last seen leaving his hotel Paraiso del Sol apartments in Playa de las Americas on November 9, 2023. Before he disappeared, he was beaten and robbed in the tourist hotspot.

Friends raised the alarm, similarly to the case of 19 year old missing Jay Slater, his family and friends travelled out to Tenerife to help aid the search efforts, and he was found safe and well four days later, reports The Irish Independent.

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In a statement, the Missing Persons Helpline Ireland said at the time: “Ryan has two black eyes as he was attacked and the assailants took all his money and his phone. Hospitals and Police in Tenerife have been notified and the police also have his passport.”

Following his discovery on November 13 last year, his friend wrote: “Words can’t describe how I’m feeling right now. This is unreal, this doesn’t happen. I’m so happy. Thank you so much to everyone, my best mate is found safe - he’s coming home.”

It comes as Jay's family hope and pray for his rapid return as police gave an update on the search earlier today. The statement read: "The Civil Guard is continuing to search for the young British man who disappeared, carrying out inspections of all the paths, trails and ravines belonging to the village of Masca within the municipality of Buenavista del Norte."

The 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer was last heard from 11 days ago as he spoke to a friend on the phone. He was down to his last per cent of phone battery and was thirsty. He had set off back to his hotel - a seven hour journey - on Monday, June 17.