Jay Slater’s family accompany his body home as funeral plans are set

Mourners are requested to wear something blue in memory of the 19-year-old at his “celebration of life service” at Accrington

The body of Jay Slater has been returned to Britain as family and friends prepare to farewell the teenager at a “celebration of life service” in Accrington.
Debbie Duncan, 55, revealed she accompanied her son’s body from Tenerife to Manchester Airport last week, alongside Mr Slater’s father Warren, 58, and Mr Slater’s brother Zak, 24.
Mourners are requested to wear something blue in memory of the 19-year-old at his funeral service next Saturday at Accrington Cemetery Chapel.
Mr Slater’s loved ones have also asked that, instead of flowers, people could donate to LBT Global, an overseas crisis support charity which helped his family through their loss.
An obituary released on Saturday night described the apprentice bricklayer as a “cherished” and “treasured” son, brother, nephew and cousin, and a “loyal friend to many”. 
“After Jay left Rhyddings High School he went on to become an apprentice bricklayer with the PH Build group, a job he greatly enjoyed,” the family tribute read. 
“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 Joseph’s too.”
It continued: “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.
“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.”
Ms Duncan has vowed to cover the cost of the funeral and the repatriation with the £74,156 raised by well-wishers after her son disappeared on 17 June during his holiday on the Canary Island.
Mr Slater attended the NRG music festival with two friends before his disappearance, and his last known location was the Rural de Teno Park in the north of the island, which was about an 11-hour walk from his accommodation. 
He had travelled to an Airbnb in the remote village of Masca after a night out but the two men said to have rented the property were later ruled “not relevant” to the case. 
The Spanish Civil Guard said Mr Slater could have fallen in the steep and inaccessible area where he was discovered.
He was found to have suffered multiple injuries consistent with a fall in the mountainous terrain and likely immediately died, it was discovered through the autopsy.