In a recent update given 15 months following his passing, Jay Slater’s mother, Debbie Duncan, has urged for stricter controls on ‘armchair detectives’ following the family being subjected to malicious conspiracy theories.
Apprentice bricklayer Jay, aged 19, disappeared during what was supposed to be a joyful vacation with friends in Tenerife. His disappearance sparked a widespread search on the island, attracting significant public interest.
Sadly, Jay’s body was discovered in the rugged Parque Rural de Teno nature reserve on July 15, 2024, near where his phone was last traced. The young man, who went missing after attending a music festival, sustained multiple injuries consistent with a fall from a height, resulting in an “instantaneous” fatality.
During a time of immense grief, Jay’s family faced unwarranted attacks online from trolls spreading false information, despite the coroner’s ruling of “accidental death” at the inquest held in July.
Debbie, aged 57, is now advocating for Jay’s Law to prevent amateur investigators from disseminating misinformation about missing individuals online. With the support of her local Labour MP, Sarah Smith, Debbie from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, is seeking assistance from Mirror readers to back her campaign.
Ahead of the forthcoming Channel 4 documentary, The Disappearance of Jay Slater, where distressed Debbie reveals the contents of Jay’s final bag and his poignant last text message, she expressed, “The challenges we faced have been eye-opening. It’s not just us who are appalled by the situation – professionals are equally dismayed.”
The Mirror delves into some of the cruelest conspiracy theories that Debbie and her family have encountered while grieving for Jay.
While the search for Jay was ongoing, his friend Brad Hargreaves faced baseless accusations from conspiracy theorists suggesting his involvement in Jay’s disappearance. Brad, who vacationed with Jay, rebuked trolls in a social media post, emphasizing their long-standing friendship and refuting any sinister claims.
Unfounded theories circulated, alleging Jay’s abduction and murder by drug traffickers in remote mountains after misplacing a bag of drugs. Speculations also arose regarding potential links to criminal activities in Tenerife, including interactions with a convicted drug dealer, Ayub Qassim, the night before Jay went missing. Investigations dismissed both men early on.
Another unfounded theory proposed Jay was killed for stealing a valuable Rolex watch, a claim refuted by Home Office pathologist Dr. Richard Shepherd during the inquest at Preston Crown Court. Outlandish claims of Jay faking his demise surfaced, with individuals questioning the identity of the body laid to rest at his funeral.
Expressing her distress over these wild rumors, Debbie remarked, “The ordeal we endured has been enlightening. It’s not just us who are shocked by the situation – even professionals are taken aback.”
Debbie continues to struggle with the heartbreaking loss of Jay, resigning from her job as a finance assistant and seeking private counseling. Following Jay’s disappearance, his friend Lucy Law initiated the ‘Get Jay Slater Home’ fundraiser, raising substantial funds for search operations. Unfortunately, public suspicion regarding the fundraiser’s intentions added to the anguish for the bereaved family.
Addressing those speculating about Jay’s disappearance, Debbie, aged 55, cautioned trolls, highlighting the potential repercussions of their actions. She expressed disappointment with the lack of support from the public in the search for Jay.
Debbie clarified on the GoFundMe page that the family approved the fundraiser, emphasizing that funds remained untouched and would cover expenses related to the search.
Following the discovery of Jay’s body, Debbie allocated some funds towards honoring her son and repatriating his remains, as well as covering expenses incurred by family and friends assisting in the search in Tenerife.
The Disappearance of Jay Slater is scheduled to air on Channel 4 on Sunday, September 28, at 9 pm.
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