The friend of missing Jay Slater has spoken of her concerns that the 19-year-old may have been "kidnapped" after authorities relocated their search.
As previously reported, teenager Jay had been on vacation with friends visiting the Canary Island of Tenerife as part of the NRG music festival.
However, on Sunday evening, friend Lucy Mae - who was staying with Jay in a shared apartment - says that the 19-year-old opted to stay out with people they had met rather than head back to their accommodation.
On Monday morning, at approximately 8:15AM, Jay called Lucy Mae - who was back at their apartment - and reportedly informed her that he was lost and making a 10-11 hour walk back to their accommodation.
Lucy Mae adds that Jay's phone battery was on 1% and that he said he was thirsty.
Jay also apparently told Lucy Mae that he was going to make the 10-11 hour walk back to their apartment.
Shortly after 9:00AM, Jay was reported missing to the authorities, sparking a desperate search on the island. His worried mom, Debbie Duncan, has also flown out after receiving advice from UK police.
Earlier today, a spokesman for the Tenerife Civil Guard revealed that: "The search operation has moved to the south of the island. The search areas are Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Americas."
These locations are known for being more tourist hotspots, per ExaminerLive.
Unable to share more information as to why the search had been switched, the spokesperson added: "It’s obviously down to information that’s been received as the investigation has progressed. As things stand at the moment the search in the mountainous area near Masca in the north has been halted."
However, the changed has left Lucy Mae concerned.
Per the Mirror, Lucy Mae claims that the change was made after what she believes was a "false lead" was given to local authorities.
She said: “Someone has given a false lead to the police saying he’s rang a taxi down to Los Cristianos. If this was the case he would have rang his mum or one of us. I know him well and he would NOT have us worrying."
“Someone is trying to deter the police from him being up there," Lucy Mae added. "I’m starting to think he’s been kidnapped.”
When once again asked if she genuinely believed her claim was the reason for the change in search location, Lucy Mae doubled-down: "Yes, This is really serious."
Jay's mom, Debbie, has also spoken out about the police tip, but has simply described it as "a false alarm but with good intention."
The worried mom told ITN: "Someone thought they had seen him get into a car with two other guys but it was wrong."
However, Debbie has shared her concerns that the worst may have happened.
"I've got a bad feeling," she said, per Mail Online. "I'm being warned there's a lot of bad people in Tenerife. I just think he's being held against his will. He's not a stupid lad. He wouldn't have gone walking down bloody mountains."
The Mail Online has reported that, following the false lead - which is believed to have been an apparent sighting of Jay - authorities have now returned to the mountain area around Rural de Teno Park, which is where Jay was last known to have been.
As of this writing, the search for Jay continues.
As well as helicopter units, search dogs, and the Greim mountain rescue and intervention unit, volunteers and citizen security patrols are also on the lookout for the teenager.
"We’re not going to talk about the number of officers involved but it’s a large operation, a spokeswoman for the Civil Guard said in a statement at approximately 11:00AM Wednesday morning.
A Timeline of Jay Slater's Disappearance:
Sunday evening, June 16: Jay spends the evening with friends but decides to stay out longer and joins other acquaintances, one of whom has a rental car.
8:35PM: Jay appears in the last Snapchat video before his disappearance, dressed in a grey t-shirt with green trim.
Monday, June 17, 8:15AM: Jay calls his friend Lucy, informing her that he is lost in a remote area, thirsty, and his phone battery is at 1%. He explains that he missed the bus back and is trying to navigate using a maps app on his phone.
8:50AM: Jay's phone battery dies.
9:04AM: Local authorities in Tenerife are notified about Jay's disappearance.
Tuesday, 2:00AM: Police officers inform Jay's mother, Debbie Duncan, and stepfather, Andy Watson, about his disappearance when they visit their home.
Tuesday, 11:35AM: Debbie Duncan and Jay's brother Zak arrive in Tenerife after boarding the earliest available flight.
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