Yahoo News Missing Jay Slater's mum says 'this is no holiday' in emotional new statement
The mother of missing teenager Jay Slater said the family is going "through hell" and stated "this is no holiday" as she hit back at online trolls.
It has now been two-and-a-half weeks since the 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle vanished in Tenerife. Debbie Duncan has taken to the 'Find Jay Slater' Facebook page to express her anger after finding themselves fending off an influx of conspiracy theories.
The apprentice bricklayer disappeared on June 17 after setting off to walk back to his accommodation on the holiday island. He went to the holiday island on June 13 to attend the NRG music festival with two friends before his disappearance.
READ MORE: Jay Slater could still be alive if he has access to two things, says missing person expert
His family has flown to the island to help with the search for him but have faced a barrage of conspiracy theories, the Mirror reports.
Debbie wrote in a new statement yesterday (July 4): "I feel the need to post this to your group and then I shall remove myself. I joined this group to share the positivity and love from the British public.
"It seems through no fault of my own you have all decided to make up your own minds. It is really sad I have felt the need to do this. My beautiful son Jay is still missing and believe me this is no holiday."
Addressing what may have happened she said: "He came on his first holiday to Tenerife to attend the NRG music event. What mystery surrounding his disappearance may never surface.
"We as a family are truly devastated. I did not ask for publicity from the start and was not aware that the first missing poster had my telephone number on it.
"It should have had the SOS Guardia Civil but like I say this was out of my control. Whatever decision you have in your minds I cannot control this either.
"We are a normal working family from Lancashire going through hell. I would like to thank the genuine people for their love and support at this difficult time and to continue to pray for Jay to be found."
Debbie also said she can account for every penny that has been donated to the fund to help find Jay, adding: "For those of you who are more concerned around the GoFundMe page I can assure you that up to now it has not been used and our stay up to now has been financed by ourselves.
"I do have proof of transactions and transfers to other persons but I should not have to justify this. So you can make up your own minds.
"If any of you in this group have donated. I am thankful for the other mothers out there.
"Please continue to pray. Thank you."
