Hundreds of people have gathered to mark the funeral of Jay Slater, the British teenager who died on holiday in Tenerife in June.
A month-long international search for Slater, 19, had been launched when he disappeared on the holiday island while attending a music festival with his friends.
A month later, investigators finally found the apprentice bricklayer’s body in a ravine near the village of Masca, an isolated spot in a rural area of Tenerife.
His mother, Debbie Duncan – who had led fundraising and publicity efforts while the search went on – could be seen tearing up alongside Slater’s father Warren, family members, friends and hundreds of well-wishers at the funeral on Saturday.
Debbie Duncan (centre) wiped away tears as the coffin was carried past
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Jay’s body was transported to the service by horse-drawn carriage
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Jay Slater went missing in Tenerife on June 17PA Mourners at the service at Accrington Crematorium Chapel had been asked to wear blue in Jay’s memory, while his coffin was carried to the venue accompanied by drum and bass music – the genre he had travelled to Tenerife to enjoy at the festival.
The teenager’s body was pulled to the chapel by a horse-drawn carriage before his coffin, deep blue with “JAY” engraved on its side, was carried inside to Lana del Rey’s “Forever Young”.
Inside, mourners were shown videos of a younger Slater playing football and dancing at festivals – which brought laughter to those in the chapel.
In a eulogy, Jay’s close friend James Curry eulogised that he was “more than a mate” and “more like a brother”, adding: “Jay was one of a kind. He lit up any room with that goofy smile of his.”
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Search teams had scoured rural parts of Tenerife looking for Slater
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Curry said he had “cherished” his time with Slater – with whom he was about to start a business – before poems were read out at the service.
The teen’s family members have asked that instead of flowers, people could donate to LBT Global, the overseas crisis support charity which helped his family through their heartache after he went missing.
His mother had issued a final push to the public for money through a crowd-funding website – which was used to pay a Dutch team of investigators, as well as cover funeral costs.
And in a family statement, the Slaters said: “A loving son of Debbie and Warren, a cherished brother of Zak and brother-in-law of Jessica, a treasured grandson of Dawn, June and the late Dougie, a much-loved nephew of Glen and Katie, a dear cousin of Maddie and Tillie and a loyal friend to many. Jay will be very sadly missed by all those who knew him.
Friends said they “cherished” time with Slater
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Investigators had called on canine assistance in their hunt, which finally came to a close in July
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“After Jay left Rhyddings High School he went on to become an apprentice bricklayer with the PH Build group, a job he greatly enjoyed.
“At the young age of five, Jay started playing football for Huncoat United FC until the age of 17 and also did a few seasons with the Sunday team at St Joesph’s too.
“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.”
Source Agencies
