Yahoo News Police knock on door of missing teen's home at 2am and tell mum 'go to Tenerife'
The stepfather of a teenager who has disappeared in Tenerife has shared the moment when police arrived at their door, advising them to get on the first available flight. Jay Slater had set off on his first overseas holiday without his parents earlier this month, joining friends Lucy and Brad for a music festival.
On Sunday night, 19 year old Jay, an apprentice bricklayer, decided to stay out after meeting new people while Lucy and Brad went back to their flat. The next morning, around 8.50am, Lucy received a call from Jay saying he had missed his bus home but planned to make the 11-hour walk back to their resort.
With only one per cent battery left on his phone, Jay's mobile switched off, leaving his last known location as 'the middle of the mountains'. Less than 24 hours later, officers from Lancashire Constabulary were knocking on his mother Debbie's Oswaldtwistle residence.
Andy Watson, Debbie's partner for 11 years, recounted the moment when police turned up at their quiet cul-de-sac to inform them that Jay was missing. "It was about 2.30am in the early hours," Andy, 63, told Lancs Live.
"When the police said 'the best thing you can do is get yourself out there' we knew it was serious. This was his first holiday on his own. I'm just hoping he's gone to another party."
Jay's mum Debbie caught an early flight from Manchester Airport to Tenerife, taking off at 7.05am and expected to land around 11.35am. "She said she'll make contact with the consular office and then ring me, but I've not heard anything yet," shared Andy on Tuesday afternoon.
Following Jay's mysterious disappearance, a significant search effort is underway near where he was last seen. A Snapchat clip showed Jay laughing and smiling the night before he vanished. The clip was filmed at about 8.35pm in the Arona area of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Posting the clip in a Facebook group dedicated to finding Jay, which now has over 40,000 members read: "This is a clear video of what Jay was wearing the night he went missing. All of our family and friends are so worried, we're all just praying and hoping he gets found soon unharmed."
An official from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has stated: "We are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities."
Details regarding Jay's last known outfit suggest he was dressed in a white t-shirt, shorts, and trainers, and may have had a black bag with him.
