The family of Jay Slater, who died on holiday in Tenerife, has said his funeral service will be a “celebration” of his life.
The body of the 19-year-old, whose disappearance on the Canary Island sparked an extensive search as well as distressing comments and conspiracy theories, was returned to the UK last week.
A post-mortem examination found Mr Slater from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, died of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a fall from height.
Mourners attending his funeral on 10 August have been asked to wear something blue in his memory.
His relatives have also requested instead of flowers, people could donate to LBT Global, an overseas crisis support charity which assisted the family throughout their ordeal.
The “celebration of life service” is to take place at Accrington Cemetery Chapel prior to burial.
Flowers will come from the family but “if anyone would like to bring a single rose to place with Jay, they are more than welcome”, his relatives said in a statement issued through LBT Global.
Jay Slater’s family leave flowers
Fondly remembered as a “loving son”, a “cherished brother” and a “treasured grandson”, his family said he was “a loyal friend to many”.
They added: “Jay will be very sadly missed by all those who knew him.”
Read more:
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Highlighting how much he enjoyed his job as an apprentice bricklayer and his passion for football from a young age, the family said: “He also loved spending time chilling out with his friends.
“Jay’s love of music and dance started at a very young age.
“He loved attending music festivals and events across the country and also loved to socialise and meet new people.”
Mr Slater had visited the Spanish island with friends to attend a music festival at Papagayo nightclub in the southern resort of Playa de las Americas.
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Mr Slater was last heard from on the morning of 17 June after he set off to walk from the Rural de Teno Park in the north of the Canary Island, where he had stayed overnight, back to his holiday accommodation – a journey of around 11 hours.
He called a friend to tell her he had missed a bus and his phone battery was down to 1%.
Following an intensive 29-day search, a body was eventually found by a mountain rescue team from the Spanish Civil Guard on 15 July, later confirmed to be that of Mr Slater.
The force said he could have fallen in the steep and inaccessible area where his remains were discovered.
Source Agencies
