The construction company employing missing British teenager Jay Slater has refuted the negative portrayal of him circulating online. Slater, an apprentice bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle near Blackburn in Lancashire, has been missing in Tenerife for over a week since last Monday morning.
Since his disappearance, social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook have been rife with rumours, conspiracy theories, and talk of his ‘colourful’ past which various Spanish media outlets have now published.
However, PH Build, the construction firm where Slater is employed, has come forward to defend the teenager's character. In a Facebook post, the company stated: "Our Jay is still missing! We removed our last post due to all the negative comments and conspiracy theories.”
“Jay has been with us since he left school and is liked by all. He's a valued member of our team and we stand by him. The picture being painted of him is just not true. The fact is he's a 19-year-old lad missing in a foreign country. He needs to be back home where he belongs. Come on Jay, we are all praying for you."
Jay Slater's family travelled to Tenerife last week to join police and mountain rescue teams in the ongoing search. The community's support has been substantial, with a GoFundMe appeal launched by Slater's friend surpassing £30,000.
Debbie Duncan, Slater's mother, expressed gratitude to those who donated: "We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves."
Yesterday (Monday) search efforts zeroed in on two structures at the bottom of a ravine in Teno Rural Park, where Slater's phone last pinged before running out of battery. Authorities have narrowed their focus to this area after extensive searches in the northwestern mountain village of Masca and its surrounding areas.
Rescue teams on the seventh day of the search were seen inspecting blue barrels outside one of the small buildings in the targeted area.
As the search for Jay Slater continues, his employer and family are urging the public to disregard the unfounded rumours and focus on finding the missing holidaymaker.
Jay’s father told Sky News on Saturday he is "just hoping that somebody has helped him off this mountain". Warren Slater flew out to Tenerife with Jay’s brother Zak to help with the search. He said the last few days have been "a nightmare, just a nightmare".
Meanwhile, Jay’s mother Debbie also made a direct plea to her missing son to come home this weekend, saying: "We just need you home." She said she has "not slept" since he disappeared.
Asked how the family were coping with the situation, she said: "We're not. I'm not coping very well at all. I've not slept, I'm exhausted. It's been awful. I can't give up on him, I just can't."
The last person to speak to Jay Slater was Masca local resident Ofelia Medina Hernandez, who told the teenager a bus was due at 10:00am after he asked what time it would come. She added that he then set off before she later drove past him "walking quickly".
