The family of Jay Slater, the British teenager missing in Tenerife, have expressed fears that the proliferation of baseless online theories could hinder the official search operation. The 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer from Lancashire disappeared while on holiday and was last heard from on 17 June, when he called a friend to say his phone battery was at 1%, he was lost, thirsty, and had cut his leg on a cactus.
Spanish authorities, including local police, fire brigade, and civil defence, have been using dogs, drones, and helicopters to comb the rugged terrain of the Rural de Teno national park. However, more than 2,000 miles away in Britain, online sleuths have been sharing conspiracy theories on social media platforms such as Facebook, X, and TikTok. Some posts falsely claim Slater has been found or that a body has been discovered, while others suggest involvement of Moroccan drug gangs, the mafia, or even a staged disappearance for financial gain.
Debbie Duncan, Slater’s mother, described the online speculation as “horrible” and said Spanish police had told her it may actually hinder their investigation. “I think as well they have actually said that there’s too much noise, that’s affecting it,” she told the Guardian. She added that police are considering all possibilities and have said they are investigating all leads.
A Facebook group titled “JAY SLATER MISSING – ONLY OFFICIAL GROUP” has amassed over half a million members, while a second group, “Jay Slater Discussions and Theories”, has nearly 288,000 members. In the latter, theories have ranged from far-fetched to darkly satirical, including one suggesting a shark spotted in Gran Canaria may be involved. Known conspiracy theorist David Icke has also weighed in, claiming that a friend named Lucy does not exist and that events are planned.
Friends have reported that trolls are impersonating them on social media and have attempted to hack into Slater’s Instagram account. One photograph circulating online, purportedly showing a body found in Los Cristianos, was later revealed to have been taken in Iceland. Another baseless theory targeted Slater’s mother, falsely comparing her to Karen Matthews, who was jailed for faking her daughter’s kidnapping.
The case echoes the disappearance of Nicola Bulley, also from Lancashire, whose body was found after 23 days in 2023. Her family criticised “wildly inaccurate speculation” online, and police were forced to issue a dispersal order against influencers who descended on the village where she was last seen. As the search for Slater continues, his family have urged the public to focus on verified information and avoid spreading unsubstantiated claims.
