JAY Slater’s friend Brad Hargreaves has released a statement after the bricklayer went missing in Tenerife on June 17, 2024.
Brad has described Jay as his “best mate”.
Who is Jay Slater's friend Brad Hargreaves?
Brad Hargreaves is one of the friends who went on holiday to Tenerife with Jay Slater.
The pair flew out to the island along with Lucy Law to go to a three-day NRG music festival.
However, Jay vanished on the morning of June 17 and has not been seen since.
Are there illegal baby names? Surprising monikers that are BANNED in other countries, from Sarah to Thomas
What has Brad Hargreaves said about Jay Slater's disappearance?
Brad has since taken to Facebook to share a statement defending himself after he has been accused of being involved in Jay’s disappearance.
He wrote: “Don't know why l've to jump on here to explain myself to the Facebook world but if any of yous believe me his best mate has anything to do with him going missing you're honestly not all there.
“I've known Jay most of my life go to all these raves and what not together and this was our first lads holiday with him.
“Nobody actually knows the true story not even me because there isn't a factual story that has come out just a load of s*** that has been said by different people.
“Anyway won't be saying much more on here but just thought l'd get that out.”
Brad’s mum has since said that he is finding it hard to cope with the situation.
Ms Hargreaves told BBC: "We’re living the worst nightmare you can live and this does not help.”
Brad appeared on ITV’s This Morning where he was interviewed by Isla Traquair.
He explained that he was on the phone to Jay the day he went missing but wasn’t concerned at the time.
He said he could hear Jay's feet slide on the rocks inferring that he'd gone off the road.
All about Rachel Nickell who was murdered in front of her son Alex Hanscombe
Brad said: "That's how I knew he went off the road because, you know when you walk on gravel, or whatever it is, you can… you know what I mean, stones."
Jay told Brad at the time that he was fine but Brad told him to switch his location on.
Brad said: "We were both, like, laughing about it. He said: 'look where I am'."
Brad and his mum have said they will stay in Tenerife for as long as they need to.
Jay Slater disappearance timeline
Sunday June 16
Jay went to a rave at the NRG festival and at 8.35pm posted a video on Snapchat with friends.
He left the rave with two men and went back to their accommodation.
Monday June 17
Jay posted a photo on Snapchat at 7.30am smoking a cigarette at the accommodation.
He called his friend Lucy Law at 8.30am saying he only had one per cent battery on his phone and missed a bus.
A missing persons report was filed at 9am.
Tuesday June 18
Police visited Jay’s mum Debbie Duncan’s home in the UK at 2am to tell her that her son was missing.
She flew to Tenerife with her other son Zak at 7am.
She received a message on Snapchat which said: “Kiss goodbye to your boy, you’re never going to see him again, he owes me a lot of money.”
Wednesday June 19
Police search the south of the island at 12.30pm after a false sighting.
Police went to search Jay’s hotel room as Debbie gave an interview saying: “I just want my baby back.”
Thursday June 20
New footage of Jay at NRG festival was found of the teenager walking through the crowd with sunglasses on his head.
Friday June 21
Tenerife authorities said they are "satisfied that they have the resources they need" as Lancashire police offered to help.
The search moved to a 22,000ft ravine in Masca which is called "the badlands" by locals.
Saturday June 22
There was a possible sighting of Jay near a church with two men at 6pm on Monday but it wasn’t confirmed by police.
Jay's dad Warren and brother Zak go to the search site.
Sunday June 23
Police start to focus the search around small buildings near where Jay’s phone was last tracked.
The GoFundMe set up by Jay's friend Lucy surpasses £30,000 after just three days.
Monday June 24
Jay’s family think he was caught on CCTV ten hours after he was last heard from.
Tuesday June 25
Jay’s mum issued another plea for her son to come home.
Debbie told the MailOnline: "It's been a week now and it's been awful. I've barely slept and I'm at my wits' end. The Spanish police are doing a good job and we are getting updated from the consulate so we just put our faith in them."
Wednesday June 26
Investigator Mark Williams-Thomas held a press conference where he urged the two men who accompanied Jay back to the Airbnb after Sunday night's rave to come forward with information.
Thursday June 27
Debbie said she would be withdrawing some money from the GoFundMe to help fund expenses while the family were in Tenerife.
Sharing an update on the fundraiser, she wrote: "I wanted to share that these funds will be used to support the mountain rescue teams who are tirelessly searching for Jay.
"Additionally, since our stay in Tenerife needs to be extended, we will also use the funds to cover accommodation and food expenses. I'm surrounded by wonderful people who are by my side, but far from their loved ones, so we'll also be using part of these funds to fly them to Tenerife so we can support each other during these dark times."
