Mum of missing Jay Slater issues five-word warning as GoFundMe hits £35k

Julia Banim & Annabal Bagdi

25 June 2024 at 1:46 pm·2-min read

The mum of missing Jay Slater has issued a desperate plea as the search for her son continues in Tenerife. The hunt for the apprentice bricklayer is now in its eighth day.

Jay, 19, vanished while on holiday with friends on the Spanish island - the first holiday without his family. No one has heard from him since Monday, June 17.

He had gone to the NRG music festival before travelling with two men he met there and going to an Airbnb in a remote part of the island. It is believed his phone died at about 8.50am on the day he vanished.

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His last known location was registered near a hiking trail, several hundred feet above the small village of Masca. A major search near there has since been launched, while more than £35,000 has been donated to a fundraising page titled 'Get Jay Slater Home'.

Jay's mum Debbie Duncan has now pleaded with critics who have blasted the GoFundMe page, Mirror reports. Some have questioned its purpose, while others have speculated on Jay's whereabouts.

Debbie, 55, said: "This may happen to you." Taking to a Facebook page filled with various theories about Jay's whereabouts, 'let down' Debbie wrote: "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."

In a separate post shared on the GoFundMe page, Debbie confirmed that the fundraiser had been 'approved by our family'. She explained: "We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves. The funds will remain on hold with GoFundMe until we post a further update on this page."

Debbie flew out to Tenerife alongside other family members after her son was reported missing. She previously issued a desperate plea directly to missing Jay, and said: "We just need you home – we just need him home."

She claimed she has 'not slept' in the days since Jay vanished. Debbie said: "I'm not coping very well at all. I've not slept, I'm exhausted. It's been awful. I can't give up on him, I just can't."

A GoFundMe spokesperson said: "We are in touch with Jay Slater's mother, Debbie, and working with her to keep everyone updated on how their donations will be used in the search. For now, the money is with GoFundMe as we work through the next steps."

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