Jay Slater in Tenerife: Conspiracy Theories Still Rampant After Body Found – Teen’s Mother Hits Back at “Vile” Trolls

On 17 June 2024, 19-year-old Jay Slater from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, disappeared while trying to walk 28 miles back to his holiday apartment after a night out at the Papagayo Music Festival in Playa de las Américas, Tenerife. He had spent the night at a remote villa in the mountains with two new acquaintances before setting off alone the next morning, sending desperate messages that his phone was dying and he had no water.

A mᴀssive 29-day search involving Spanish mountain rescue, British police, and volunteers ended on 15 July 2024 when his body was discovered at the bottom of the steep, inaccessible Juan López ravine. The inquest in July 2025 ruled his death accidental: traumatic head injuries sustained after he lost his footing and fell.

Yet more than two years later, as of June 2026, conspiracy theories continue to flood social media. Claims range from murder and organ trafficking to staged deaths and involvement by the men he stayed with. Jay’s mother, Debbie Duncan, has repeatedly condemned the “vile” online abuse, describing how trolls “completely dehumanised” her son and even sent hoax ransom calls and messages. In December 2025 she backed a campaign for “Jay’s Law” to criminalise tragedy trolling of grieving families, telling MPs the harᴀssment has never stopped.

Spanish authorities and the UK coroner found no evidence of foul play. Duncan has urged the public to respect the facts and the family’s grief. Still, the theories persist, turning a tragic hiking accident into one of the most enduring online conspiracies of recent years.

Jay’s family continues to grieve while fighting the digital storm that followed his death.