As the search for missing UK teenager Jay Slater continues into its second week, his employers have spoken about the vile messages they have been receiving - sharing on email in particular.
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On June 17, 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer Jay - from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire - was reported missing in Tenerife by his friend, Lucy Mae Law.
Jay and Lucy Mae had been visiting the island with friends as part of the NRG music festival. However, on the evening of June 16, Jay opted to continue partying with two men he had met that evening rather than return to his shared accommodation with Lucy Mae.
The next morning, he phoned Lucy Mae to say that he was lost, thirsty, and was going to attempt to walk back to their apartment - a journey that would have taken him around 10 hours.
Less than an hour later, Lucy Mae reported Jay missing.
Authorities have been searching for the teen ever since, with the primary focus being in Masca, a remote village nestled within the Rural de Teno Park - an area known for its rugged mountains.
Despite the severity of the ordeal - and the impact it is having on Jay's loved ones - some people on social media have repeatedly highlighted the teen's criminal past, with some going as far as to suggest Jay's disappearance is "karma".
As previously reported, Jay was involved in a gang attack on a teenager named Tom Hilton back in 2022.
Hilton was chased by a gang of eight teens - some as young as 14 - and beaten with weapons such as an axe, golf clubs, and a machete. His injuries included puncture wounds and a gash to the head so deep that his skull was visible.
Jay was later found guilty in a 2023 trial for his involvement, and handed an 18-month community order with 25 days rehabilitation activities and 150 hours unpaid work for violent disorder.
The teen's trip to Tenerife comes as he was nearing the end of his sentence.
And even despite pleas from Hilton himself asking for people to show compassion for Jay's family, it seems some social media trolls are intent on repeatedly shining a light on the teen's criminal past.
As well as his loved ones receiving countless messages, even Jay's employers have been targeted.
Taking to Facebook, Jay's bosses at the construction firm PH Build Group have shared a post with followers, saying: "This is just one of many emails sent to us along with some great reviews.
"These people are trying to ruin people's lives and businesses sat behind a screen looking for attention.
"Everyone may have their own theories and feelings but to publicly post them knowing you are going hurt people is just cruel. Jay's family shouldn't have to endure this. The only thing that should matter right now is getting a 19 year old son back to his family where he belongs."
A screenshot attached to the post shows an email sent to the company, which reads: "You employed a man that macheted a man down to his skull with about 5 other guys who helped him. Your heartfelt posts are null and void. [You're] a disgrace hiring somebody who ma hates people [sic]. Don't care how long he has been with you lot. Utter scumbags him and your company.
"Enjoy the loss in business for standing by a wannabe tool merchant murderer. Go out and look for him Yourselves if you are concerned as you make out [sic]. But you don't."
Another screenshot highlighted the company's response, saying how they are thankful that more people are looking "past the media hype" and are showing compassion to Jay's family and loved ones.
Hilton himself had taken to Facebook to call out the trolls and conspiracy theorist, writing in a now-deleted post: "Whoever is writing on these TikToks, give it a rest.
"This young lad's missing and his family's heartbroken. Put yourself in their shoes. Stop talking nonsense on social and get this lad found, mentioning my name all this and that. Have some respect and help find this boy and get him back to his family."
And in a previous post, Jay's bosses stated that the picture being painted of Jay on social media "was not true".
"The fact is he’s a 19-year-old lad missing in a foreign country," Jay's bosses say. "He needs to be back home where he belongs. Come on Jay we are all praying for you."
Additionally, Jay's mom - Debbie Duncan - has also hit back at trolls, describing her son as a "normal boy".
Speaking from the hotel where the family are staying, the concerned mom said: "My boy might be just up there somewhere. We're all devastated.
"He's just a normal boy from a little town in Lancashire. These things don't happen. I was in touch with him while he is in Tenerife. He was just holidaying away, he'd saved up and was looking forward to it."
