Jay Slater's mum's nine-word warning as family say they've been 'very let down'

Fears are growing for the welfare of 19 year old Jay Slater, who has gone missing during a holiday with mates in Tenerife.

His mum, Debbie Duncan, is enduring what she calls a "living nightmare" since her son vanished. The 55-year-old flew out to the Canary Islands with other relatives as soon as she got wind of Jay's disappearance on Monday, June 17.

The search for the apprentice bricklayer, from Oswaldtwistle, continues unabated, with his loved ones holding onto hope that he will be found safe and sound. The hunt for Jay by the police is now focused on the area where his mobile phone was last detected.

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Efforts have been redirected to a ravine situated in the island's mountainous terrain. At a press briefing held yesterday, Detective Mark Williams-Thomas, the private detective who lent his expertise to the Nicola Bulley case last year, yesterday (June 26) called on the two men who accompanied Jay to the Airbnb after the rave on Sunday night to "come forward with crucial information".

He explained why Jay's family did not participate in the conference, saying: "The family are very grateful for you to be here. They appreciate the press are a really important aspect of the story but they are reluctant to speak because they really want to work with Spanish police, and Spanish authorities and they have not sanctioned this. We have to respect that.", reports the Mirror.

"Since I have been here and worked with the family, I have spent yesterday with them and the night before and they are very, very united family and they are very supportive and their one mission of course is to find out what happened to Jay. They still live with the hope that Jay will return and he is, not safe, but still alive."

Debbie's heart-breaking struggles continue as she waits for answers. In an interview with Mail Online, Debbie, a school finance advisor from Oswaldtwistle, expressed her distress, saying: "It's been a week now and it's been awful.

"I've barely slept and I'm at my wits' end. The Spanish police are doing a good job and we are getting updated from the consulate so we just put our faith in them."

She added: "I know people in the UK have come forward as well who were at the festival and they are giving details of what they know but I'm not being told about that. Jay's very good friends from home have also been over and have put up posters.

"They are good kids and like me just want him home. "

Sources informed MailOnline that the distraught mum is 'on the verge of a breakdown'. This follows Debbie issuing a nine-word warning to those criticising the fundraiser set up to 'Get Jay Slater Home', which has currently raised more than £35,000.

Debbie, expressing her dismay at the speculation surrounding Jay's disappearance, implored internet trolls to consider, 'This may happen to any of you one day'. On Facebook, Debbie shared her feelings of being 'let down' by some online reactions, stating: "I really am saddened by all your comments.

"You seem to be so bothered about this GoFundMe page. I really hope I am not taking my son home in a body bag.

"The funds are not released and won't be if not needed. I really cannot believe the British public are not supporting me in trying to find Jay. This may happen to any of you one day. Very let down by you all."

Plagued by distressing rumours, including comparisons to Karen Matthews, who infamously orchestrated her daughter Shannon Matthews' kidnapping in 2008, Debbie has been forced to defend herself.

In response to the harsh judgements and questions about her actions, Debbie explained why she hasn't been out searching for Jay, despite having flown to the island. From her hotel, where her family is based, Debbie said: "People keep asking on social media 'why aren't I up there?' and calling me the new Karen Matthews. I just can't face it."

She added: "I'm just exhausted. I'm still hopeful. I'm not feeling negative just yet. I know it's five days. It's not just that they've said absolutely not. I don't know what it's been like today because I've been advised to stay away because I would just break down."

And sources told MailOnline that the distraught mum is so tormented that she is 'on the verge of a breakdown'. This comes as Debbie issued a five-word warning to those who've criticised the fundraiser set up to 'Get Jay Slater Home', which at the time of writing has raised more than £35,000 and counting.

Expressing dismay at the some of the speculation concerning Jay's disappearance, Debbie asked internet trolls to remember, 'This may happen to you'.