New statement in search for Jay Slater as family in ‘living nightmare’

The family of a missing British teenager who is lost in Tenerife have said they are living through a “living nightmare” after a new statement was issued.

Jay Slater, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, traveled to the Spanish island for a music festival with his girlfriend Lucy Mae Law and another friend. The 19-year-old was last heard from around 8am on Monday, June 17, when he called Lucy to say his phone had 1% battery and needed water.

He said he got lost after staying in an apartment with people he met after a night out. Lucy said the flat they were staying in was in the “middle of nowhere”, adding that Jay “wouldn’t have realised” the distance to where they were staying.

LIVE UPDATES as the search for Jay Slater enters its fifth day

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A major search is underway on the island for the teenager in the days since he went missing.

As the fourth day of the search ended on Thursday, Rach Louise Harg, who shares updates in the “Missing Jay Slater” Facebook group on behalf of loved ones, said there had been “no update”.

She said his family and friends were “stunned beyond words” and in a “living nightmare”. In her shared post, she said: “There is no update for anyone unfortunately.

“I’m struggling for words right now but all I can say is we’re just watching and everyone’s doing their best! We are exhausted beyond words. I just can’t (even) say more, I wish I could.

“I wish this living nightmare would end now. The search is ongoing and we remain positive.

“If someone has nothing positive to say, don’t even bother now, honestly go away. Thank you all for your support and help, we can’t thank you enough, lots of love. Please stop texting me and Jay’s family unless it’s vital.”

The last known location of Jay’s cell phone was in Rural de Teno Park. This remote location has a rugged landscape favored by hikers and is an arduous 11-hour trek from Jay’s accommodations.

Friends and family of the missing apprentice bricklayer have flown to Tenerife to help him as the search continues.

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