Jay Slater's Mother Details 'Tragedy Trolling' Hell and Campaign for Jay's Law
Debbie Duncan, the mother of Jay Slater, has spoken out about the devastating impact of 'tragedy trolling' that has plagued her life since her son's death in Tenerife in 2024. In an emotional interview on This Morning with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, the 57-year-old mother-of-two described how relentless online abuse pushed her to the brink of a nervous breakdown.
The Unending Torrent of Abuse
Jay Slater disappeared in June 2024 at age 19 while on holiday in Tenerife, sparking a massive manhunt and a flood of conspiracy theories online. Even after his body was discovered four weeks later in a remote area near Masca, and an inquest in 2025 confirmed he died from injuries consistent with a heavy fall from height, the online attacks continued unabated.
'It's just never ended, two years on almost, and they just keep coming,' Debbie told the presenters. 'It's going round in circles, the comments about "He was involved in the mafia and drug dealing", and then it gets really personal.'
She detailed how trolls have targeted her family with false accusations, including claims about drug dealing, bad upbringing, and even suggesting she murdered her own son despite being in the UK when Jay disappeared. The abuse extended to phone calls and messages, with one particularly chilling WhatsApp received as she arrived at Tenerife airport saying 'kiss your son goodbye he owes us money.'
The Campaign for Jay's Law
Debbie is now spearheading a campaign for 'Jay's Law' - legislation designed to hold social media companies accountable for content on their platforms. The government petition has garnered over 13,000 signatures, and she has visited Parliament multiple times to advocate for change.
'[The law is] to make the big tech companies take more responsibility on what is actually put on their platforms,' she explained. 'At the minute, it's just lawless, they're given this platform to say what they want.'
The proposed legislation aims to combat the spread of misinformation and online abuse during missing persons investigations, addressing what Debbie describes as 'tragedy trolling' that affects numerous families beyond her own.
Conspiracy Theories and GoFundMe Backlash
From the earliest days of Jay's disappearance, social media became a breeding ground for harmful speculation. A Facebook group set up to appeal for information was quickly overrun with conspiracy theories, including fabricated videos and claims about drug involvement.
The family also faced criticism over a GoFundMe page that raised over £70,000 to support search efforts and funeral costs. Despite being transparent about how the money was used - covering family accommodation in Tenerife, supporting search teams, and giving Jay a proper send-off - Debbie continues to face accusations about financial motives.
'We were transparent with the people at GoFundMe, they know what the money was used for,' she stated, noting that critics still question her appearances on television programs.
Personal Impact and Ongoing Trauma
The psychological toll has been severe. Debbie has left her job as a finance assistant at a local school and receives private counselling. She heartbreakingly admitted she still hasn't unpacked Jay's case from Tenerife, occasionally opening it just to smell his clothes before closing it again.
'It just feels like time's stood still, it's very raw still,' she said when asked how the family is coping. 'What goes online has affected us as a family, and as a mother, there is no pain like losing a child but this is why I'm spurred on to help future families with this online hell.'
Documentary and Moving Forward
The family hopes to counter misinformation through a Channel 4 documentary, The Disappearance of Jay Slater, which includes unprecedented access to personal footage, funeral coverage, and even Jay's post-mortem. His father Warren hopes showing Jay's clothing from that night will finally dispel cruel theories that their son is still alive.
Working with her local Labour MP Sarah Smith, Debbie continues to push for legislative change. MP Smith emphasized the need for action, stating: 'It is entirely wrong that people can continue to speculate, with no end date, about what's happened in these incredibly tragic circumstances, with no consideration of how that is impacting on those that have lost a loved one.'
As Debbie concluded: 'These people are moving from family to family causing them an absolute living hell.' Her campaign represents not just personal healing but a broader effort to protect other families from similar trauma in an increasingly digital world.
