The mom of missing teen Jay Slater has spoken out after her son disappeared after a night out on the Spanish island of Tenerife.
On Sunday evening, 19-year-old Jay Slater - who had been enjoying his first vacation without family - disappeared after spending a night with friends.
The teenager - from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, UK - had traveled to the Canary Island for the NRG music festival along with his friend Lucy and another companion. However, after a night out, he opted to stay with individuals he had met, rather than returning to their shared apartment.
Reports state that, 8:15AM GMT on Monday (June 17), Lucy received a troubling call from Jay, during which, he claimed he was attempting to walk back to their accommodation after being unable to catch a bus home.
Lucy adds that Jay had 1% phone battery left, and told her: "I don’t know where I am, I need a drink," per Manchester Evening News.
Jay was reported missing at approximately 9:00AM on Monday.
Andy Watson, Jay's stepfather, tells The Sun that he and Jay's mom, Debbie Duncan, were informed that Jay was missing by police at their home at 2:30AM on Tuesday (June 18).
After being encouraged to fly out to the island as soon as possible, Debbie and Jay's brother, Zak, landed at around 11:35AM later that day.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the concerned mom has revealed that she has not ventured to the search area as of yet, as she understandably "can't face" it at this time.
"There was talk of a helicopter going over the area today but I can't face going up there I'm going to stay here in Los Cristianos and wait for news," mom Debbie said. "His friends and Lucy are up there helping and I have more family coming out today.
"We all just want him found safe and sound as quickly as possible."
In an update on Wednesday morning, the mom added: "We haven't had any real update but I'm waiting for news from the British consulate."
After touching down on the Spanish island yesterday, the mom has said she is "beside herself with worry".
Debbie added, per the Daily Mail: "We're just praying the police or someone finds Jay. I know there's a mountain rescue team out and a helicopter.
"Nothing's ever going to be enough when your youngest son's gone missing but it sounds as if the police here are taking this very seriously and doing the best job they can."
The concerned mom added: "He'd been at a three-day festival so he would have consumed a fair bit of alcohol but Jay was Snapchatting with friends before he went missing and seemed very compos mentis."
Meanwhile, stepdad Andy has shared his concern that Jay may have taken a wrong turn during his walk. "It's really worrying. It feels like a blur at the moment.
"Jay is very streetwise and he's no mug but if it was dark and he had no touch on his phone he could have gone the wrong way and become more lost than he was."
Reports have estimated that the walk from Jay's last-known location to the friends' shared apartment would have been around 10-11 hours.
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.
A spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office has stated: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.”
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