Jay Slater’s family to fly back with son’s body ‘within 48 hours’ | World | News

Jay Slater‘s grieving family is hoping to be able to begin “the hardest journey of their lives” back to the UK and repatriate the 19-year-old’s body within 48 hours, sources have claimed.

Jay’s mother Debbie Duncan is reportedly working with authorities in Tenerife, where her son died, to “finalise the last details” and obtain the go-ahead to bring the body to Britain.

A source told The Sun: “Officials are literally dealing with a final couple of matters and then Jay’s family will be able to take him back home and to start planning for the funeral. 

“For Jay’s family the last few days have been horrendous. Until they get home they don’t really feel as if they can start the grieving process or the process of saying goodbye.”

Speaking about the repatriation of Jay’s body, the source added: “Taking Jay’s body back will be the hardest journey of their lives.”

This comes as the GoFundMe page set up following the disappearance of the teenager from Lancashire by his friend Lucy Law has raised more than £71,000 from some 5,700 donors.

Three days ago, after the Spanish police found the body of Jay in a treacherous area in northwestern Tenerife, Ms Duncan explained how the funds would be spent.

She wrote in a message shared on the page: “We are working with agencies to arrange Jay’s repatriation to the UK and the remaining funds, along with any future donations, will be used to help with this if needed and to pay for Jay’s funeral costs back home.

“We want to give our boy the send-off he deserves so please do continue to share and support our fundraiser however you can.”

One of the latest donors to the page shared her condolences for the family, writing: “My heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with Jay’s family and friends at this sorrowful time. Bring your lovely lad home.”

Jay was on holiday with friends when he went missing on June 17, sparking a huge search involving Spanish police, internet sleuths and volunteers among others.

His body was eventually found on July 15 by Spanish police officers in a ravine near the village of Masca, a few miles away from the Airbnb where he had spent some time with two British men in the early hours of June 17.

The injuries he was found with were consistent with a fall onto rocky ground from height.