In a recent development occurring 15 months post his passing, the mother of Jay Slater, Debbie Duncan, has made a plea for stricter controls on ‘armchair detectives’ following the emergence of malicious conspiracy theories targeting her family.
Jay, an apprentice bricklayer, disappeared at the age of 19 while on a holiday trip to Tenerife with friends. His disappearance prompted a widespread search on the island, capturing significant public interest.
Sadly, Jay’s remains were eventually discovered in the rugged Parque Rural de Teno nature reserve on July 15, 2024, near the location of his last known phone signal. The young man, who went missing after attending a music festival, sustained multiple injuries consistent with a fall from a high point, resulting in what is believed to have been an immediate fatality.
Despite the official ruling of “accidental death” by the coroner during the July inquest, Jay’s family faced online harassment from insensitive individuals spreading false information.
Debbie, aged 57, is 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, hailing from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, is seeking assistance from readers of the Mirror.
Expressing her distress over the ordeal they encountered, Debbie disclosed, “What we have had to endure has really opened my eyes. It is not just us who are horrified by what has gone on – professional people are horrified too.”
The Mirror delves into the distressing conspiracy theories Debbie and her family had to confront while coping with the loss of Jay.
While the search for Jay was ongoing, one of his friends, Brad Hargreaves, had to combat baseless accusations by conspiracy theorists insinuating his involvement in Jay’s disappearance.
Various unfounded claims emerged, including suggestions that Jay was abducted and murdered by drug traffickers in the remote mountains after losing drugs. Additionally, speculations about ties to criminal activities in Tenerife circulated, with reference to Jay’s interaction with individuals such as a convicted drug dealer, Ayub Qassim, the night before his disappearance.
Conspiracy theories even proposed that Jay was killed after allegedly stealing a valuable watch, a theory debunked by forensic evidence presented during the inquest. Outlandish claims, including the notion that Jay staged his own demise, further added to the distress of the situation for his family.
Debbie, still grappling with the loss of her son, had to step down from her job as a finance assistant and undergo private counseling sessions. A fundraising page, ‘Get Jay Slater Home’, initiated by Jay’s friend Lucy Law, aimed to support search efforts but faced scrutiny from skeptics, causing additional anguish for the family.
Addressing the speculators, Debbie cautioned, “This may happen to you,” highlighting the detrimental impact of online rumors on her family’s grieving process. She clarified the purpose of the fundraising efforts and how the collected funds would be utilized for Jay’s funeral arrangements and repatriation, as well as covering expenses incurred during the search by family and friends who volunteered in Tenerife.
The upcoming documentary, “The Disappearance of Jay Slater,” scheduled to air on Channel 4, will shed light on the tragic events surrounding Jay’s case.
For any personal stories or information to share, reach out via email at julia.banim@reachplc.com.