The mother of Jay Slater, the 19-year-old British apprentice bricklayer who vanished in Tenerife, has spoken of her family's agonising wait as the search for her son enters its eighth day. Debbie Duncan, who has flown to the Canary Island, described the situation as an "absolute living nightmare".
In an emotional update, Ms. Duncan revealed the immense toll the disappearance has taken, stating she has had "no sleep" and is surviving on just "two hours' rest a night" since arriving to aid the investigation. She expressed profound gratitude for the work of the Spanish authorities, calling the searchers "amazing".
A Mother's Agony
"It is just an absolute living nightmare, it is like a dream, it is just awful," Debbie Duncan said. Her comments highlight the desperate hope and fear the family is enduring as each day passes without news of the teenager from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire.
The massive search operation, which has involved mountain rescue teams, firefighters, and police, is now focused on the challenging and rugged terrain of the Rural de Teno park, a vast area of mountains and ravines in the north-west of the island.
The Disappearance
Jay was last heard from in the early hours of Monday morning (June 17). He had attended a music festival and was attempting to return to his accommodation after missing a bus. His final phone call to a friend indicated he was lost, dehydrated, and disoriented in a remote rural area, with just 1% battery remaining on his mobile phone.
The search has been complicated by the extreme summer heat and the difficult landscape. Despite the challenges, search teams remain determined.
Family's Gratitude and Plea
Ms. Duncan also took a moment to thank the public for their support, but made a heartfelt plea for sensitivity. She urged people to avoid speculating or spreading unhelpful theories online, asking instead for focus on the ongoing efforts to find her son.
As the operation continues, the family clings to hope, supported by the dedication of the search teams and the thoughts of a concerned public.
