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Heartbroken dad makes emotional visit to site of search for his son

22 June 2024 , 19:09
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Heartbroken dad makes emotional visit to site of search for his son
Heartbroken dad makes emotional visit to site of search for his son

The dad of missing teenager Jay Slater last night made an emotional visit to view the search for his son and sobbed: “I just want the boy back”.

Warren Slater, 58, was supported by Jay’s brother Zak at the scene in Masca, close to the spot where the apprentice bricklayer was last seen shortly after 8am on Monday morning.

As police and mountain experts spent a sixth successive day working to find Jay, Warren and Zak were also joined nine of Jay's friends.

It was the first time Jay’s family members had felt able to visit the area. Warren and Zak, 24, wrapped their arms around each other in solidarity while looking out onto the search.

The pair were also seen in tears while visiting the rental property where Jay was last seen.

Brit teen missing on hols after desperate call to pals from 'middle of nowhere' eiqdiqxqiduprwBrit teen missing on hols after desperate call to pals from 'middle of nowhere'
Heartbroken dad makes emotional visit to site of search for his sonJay Slater has been missing since Monday (MEN Media)
Heartbroken dad makes emotional visit to site of search for his sonSearch and rescue teams pictured near to the village of Masca (PA)

Jay’s mum Debbie, 55, who is estranged from Warren, did not feel strong enough to join them.

Debbie said: “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.

Heartbroken dad makes emotional visit to site of search for his sonWarren Slater, 58, was supported by Jay’s brother son Zak (Stan Kujawa)

“My boy might be just up there somewhere. “We’re all devastated. He’s just a normal boy from a little town in Lancashire. These things don’t happen.

“I was in touch with him while he is in Tenerife. He was just holidaying away, he’d saved up and was looking forward to it.

“I’ve not slept for five days. My brain isn’t functioning well and I’m tired and exhausted.”

Heartbroken dad makes emotional visit to site of search for his sonJay's mum Debbie Duncan said the search for her son was a 'nightmare' (ITV News)

Debbie also hit out at online trolls and conspiracy theorists who are targeting her and her family.

She 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.”

Speaking from the hotel where the family are staying, Debbie added she had not heard anything from the police on Saturday.

Heartbroken dad makes emotional visit to site of search for his sonJay Slater's brother and father have led the search (Stan Kujawa)

Debbie, 55, also revealed that a person now says that they saw her son walking down a road with two other men last Monday evening. It was that morning that he had last been seen as he enquired about getting a bus back to the south of Tenerife where he was staying with friends.

Tenerife cops give update in search for missing Brit teen Jay SlaterTenerife cops give update in search for missing Brit teen Jay Slater

"Someone has come forward to say they saw someone who they thought was Jay walking back down the road sat on a bench," she reportedly said. "He was with two men looking a bit worse for wear, and they were by a church, this guy has come forward and told the police about it and they are looking into it. We don't know if it was Jay for sure, but it's a start.

"They said it was about 6pm which is ten hours after he was seen by the lady in the village. But if it was him what was he doing there and who are these two men?"

in Tenerife

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