Mother thanks supporters as GoFundMe for her missing son closes

In June 2023, Jay Slater, a 19-year-old from the UK, went missing in Playa de las Americas after attending the NRG Festival rave. Following his disappearance, a GoFundMe page was initiated by his best friend Lucy Mae to assist in search efforts, as she was the last person to communicate with him. The family received overwhelming global support through the fundraiser, which ultimately raised £72,821. Jay's body was discovered after a month-long search, prompting his mother, Debbie Duncan, to express gratitude to everyone who contributed. She emphasized that the funds helped the family remain in Tenerife until they could repatriate Jay's body back home, allowing for a proper farewell. Despite devastating losses and facing online abuse, Ms. Duncan shared that Jay had a promising future ahead of him, intending to take his driving test and maintain a good job upon returning to the UK. The family had to deal with many challenges throughout this tough time, including false claims and negative online sentiments, attacking them during their grief. Nevertheless, Jay's life deserves to be remembered fondly as they navigate their journey forward, cherishing memories, and the support they received from the community throughout this heartbreaking ordeal.