Jay Slater’s family “could have walked past” the missing teenager’s body during the four-week search for the 19-year-old, a source has claimed.
A source close to the Slaters revealed it was “entirely possible” Debbie Duncan and others could have walked right by the body as they supported the search.
“It seems incredible so many people walked that area and yet he was so close,” they said.
The source added: “It hasn’t completely sunk in yet. The hardest thing for her [Duncan] is to hear he was found so close to the original search site.
Jay Slater has been missing on Tenerife for more than two weeksGetty/PA“It means it’s entirely possible they have walked past his body while searching for him.”
Slater’s remains were found on Monday weeks after he disappeared on June 17.
It is believed that the apprentice bricklayer suffered a sharp “fall from height” before dying of his injuries.
Matt Searle, the boss of the overseas missing persons charity LGB Global, said: “The announcement does seem to confirm that Jay died of injuries consistent with an accidental fall from a considerable height.
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British teenager Jay Slater went missing on Monday June 17 PA“There will of course be many more hurdles for the family to face in the coming days and we will work with them to make this horrific time as easy as possible.
“We are working with the family now to sort out the next steps of taking Jay home, recovery of his belongings and laying him to rest.
“We will not be releasing details of travel timings or funeral arrangements at this time and ask again for privacy for the family.
“I ask now that this is the end of all the hurtful comments on social media and elsewhere.”
Jay Slater went missing in Tenerife in June while on holiday with friendsPA In a statement, Duncan added: “I just can’t believe it… we’re here with the embassy staff waiting for an update and now it’s come – the worst news.
“I just can’t believe this could happen to my beautiful boy. Our hearts are broken.”
Slater’s friend Lucy Mae Law, who was the last known person to speak to the teenager before his disappearance, also said: “Honestly lost for words.
“Always the happiest and most smiley person in the room, you was one of a kind Jay and you’ll be missed more than you know.
“I’m sure you’ll ‘have your dancing shoes polished and ready’ waiting for us all. We all love you buddy. Fly high.”