New statement in missing Jay Slater search with friends 'drained beyond words'

The loved ones of a missing British teenager in Tenerife have expressed that they are 'drained beyond words' as the desperate hunt for him carries on. Jay Slater, 19, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, has been unaccounted for on the Spanish isle since Monday morning (June 17).

He had journeyed to the Canary Islands in the company of two pals to take part in the NRG music festival. However, he didn't comeback to their Los Cristianos lodging on Sunday evening after deciding to stay at an apartment with some people he had gotten acquainted with.

Lucy Mae Law, his friend, last heard from him at approximately 8am on Monday, when he gave her a ring informing her that his mobile phone battery was nearly dead and he required water since he was wandering in 'the middle of nowhere'. The last known location of his phone was tracked to Rural de Teno Park, not far from the village of Masca.

An enormous manhunt has been underway on the island for Slater following his disappearance. As darkness fell yesterday (Thursday), marking the end of day four of the intensive search, Rach Louise Harg shared an update on the 'Jay Slater missing' Facebook group on behalf of his worried loved ones, disclosing that there was 'no update', reports the Manchester Evening News.

According to her, Slater's friends and family were emotionally 'drained beyond words', living through a 'nightmare'. She added: "There isn't an update for anyone unfortunately."

"Struggling to find words at this time but all I can say is we are looking still and everyone is doing all they can! ! We are drained beyond words I just can't say no more I wish I could I wish this would end now this living nightmare SEARCHES are on going and we remain positive."

"If anyone as not got anything positive to say don't even bother now just go away honestly. Thanks to you all supporting and helping we can't thank you any more , much love. Please stop messaging me and the family of Jay unless it's vital."

The search for the apprentice bricklayer has been concentrated in the north-west island in the Rural de Teno Park, a mountainous area frequented by hikers. On Wednesday (June 19), the Civil Guard announced that their search efforts had shifted to the south of the island, near tourist hotspots where Jay was staying with friends in Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Americas.

They later confirmed that the search had returned to the northern part of the island. However, tourists in the south have reported seeing the police helicopter 'going up and down and up and down' repeatedly over the past few days.

They also mentioned that they have noticed police officers patrolling the bustling beach front since news of Jay's disappearance surfaced. Jay's mother, Debbie Duncan, flew out to the island on Tuesday to assist officers with the search.

Speaking from their Oswaldtwistle home yesterday, Jay's stepfather Andy Watson shared that the teenager had been hesitant about going abroad. "[His friends] had to talk him into going," Andy, 63, told LancsLive.

"He wasn't really that keen."

Jay's mother Debbie also revealed how her youngest son needed convincing to go on the holiday. "I wish I hadn't encouraged him," Debbie confessed to ITV.

Jay's 'terrified' grandmother also spoke publicly for the first time yesterday. From her chalet on the outskirts of Clitheroe, Lancashire, June Duncan described how her family had been trying to protect her from the speculation surrounding Jay's disappearance.

She disclosed that her son Glen - Debbie's brother - flew out to Tenerife on Wednesday to support his sister. Debbie has expressed her distress, saying she is 'beside herself' as she hopes for positive news about her youngest son.

"I don't read newspapers but it's been on the news on telly so much I can't escape it," June, 77, said. "I've not spoken to Debbie much but other family members are keeping me updated."

"My son came to see me on Tuesday and he flew out there yesterday. He's gone with [Jay's] cousin to try and help but I don't know what they can do."

"I wouldn't be able to go out there, and I'm not sure what help I'd be, I just keep hoping for good news. I can't even begin to imagine how Debbie is. She rang me and said he'd gone missing. She didn't tell me at first, I think she was trying not to worry me, but then as time went on... ".

A photograph of the Tenerife holiday home, Casa Abuela Tina, where Jay took his last known picture before his disappearance has surfaced. This rental property is located at the rear of a bar and restaurant on the fringes of the village of Masca on the Spanish island.

The property is advertised online as a holiday home and it's believed to have been rented by two British men who were with Jay the night prior to his disappearance, according to the Mirror. It's understood that they checked out yesterday before returning to Britain.