Hundreds of mourners dressed in blue gathered amid pouring rain this morning to bid a final farewell to teenage bricklayer Jay Slater.
The 19-year-old was the subject of a huge international manhunt when he vanished in Tenerife on June 17 after attending a music festival with his mates.
His body was tragically found a month later down a rocky ravine, having seemingly fallen to his death as he tried to walk back to his holiday accommodation.
Mother Debbie Duncan, 55, and father Warren Slater, 58, both wiped away tears as they led a procession of mourners through the drizzle at Accrington Crematorium Chapel today.
Perhaps fittingly for Jay, a known raver, his coffin was carried outside to the sound of a drum-and-bass track, while friends said in their eulogies: ‘Keep partying up there’.
Hundreds of mourners dressed in blue gathered amid pouring rain this morning to bid a final farewell to teenage bricklayer Jay Slater. Pictured: Jay’s mother
The 19-year-old was the subject of a huge international manhunt when he vanished in Tenerife on June 17 after attending a music festival with his mates
The 19-year-old was the subject of a huge international manhunt when he vanished in Tenerife on June 17 after attending a music festival with his mates
Jay was pulled along in a horse drawn carriage to get to the church
Jay and his mother Debbie, who was seen wiping away tears during the funeral procession
Pictured for his final farewell at Accrington Cemetery Chapel Jay has been laid to rest in a bright blue coffin, with his name embossed on the side
Mother Debbie Duncan, 55, and father Warren Slater, 58, both wiped away tears as they led a procession of mourners through the drizzle at Accrington Crematorium Chapel today
Jay’s body being taken into the church
Hundreds have turned up for the ‘celebration of life’, as people can be seen spilling out of the church, with a outdoor screen for those outside to be involved in the proceedings
People have put blue ribbons up all around the church in memory of the teenager
Jay Slater’s last known movements in Tenerife before he was found one month after going missing
His body was brought to the chapel by a horse-drawn carriage before his blue coffin, with ‘JAY’ embossed on the side, was carried in to the sounds of Lana del Ray ‘Forever Young’.
Videos of the young teenager playing football, which he started from the age of six, and of him dancing at festivals brought laughter to those inside the chapel.
In an eulogy, his friend James Curry said he was ‘more than a mate’ and ‘more like a brother’.
Mr Curry, who was due to start a business with Jay, added: ‘Jay was one of a kind. He lit up any room with that goofy smile of his.’
His close friend said he ‘cherished’ his time with him as poems were also read out during the service.
His coffin was carried outside and buried separately in the cemetery.
The farewell was a sea of blue, as this was Jay’s favourite colour. People were seen carrying blue flowers, wearing blue wristbands and ribbons, even blue smoke bombs were let off outside.
Since his death tributes have poured in for the 19-year-old, yesterday his best friend has posted another heart wrenching tribute to the teenager.
Mourner have been arriving at the funeral for Jay Slater dressed in blue, nearly two months after the teenager died while on holiday in Tenerife
A post-mortem examination found the 19-year-old, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, who died on June 17, found he died of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a fall from height
A large outdoor screen was put up for the many people who came to say goodbye
The funeral procession for the ‘celebration of life’ for the young teenager
One man had brought a blue rose with his for the service
Lucy Mae Law shared a short video to her Instagram story of the carefree 19-year-old bopping away at pool rave, captioned ‘always dancing’.
Jay’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 heartache.
A post-mortem examination found the 19-year-old, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, who died on June 17, found he died of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a fall from height.
His death would have been instantaneous.
Floral tributes will come from the family but ‘if anyone would like to bring a single rose to place with Jay, they are more than welcome’, his relatives said in a statement issued through LBT Global.
Mr Slater, an apprentice bricklayer, was also remembered in a tribute from his family which outlined the major events and passions of his life.
They stated: ‘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.’
People arrive wearing blue to honour his memory
The rain poured on wellwisher who came to say goodbye
Before they left Tenerife his mother Debbie Turner attached with a blue peg to a bouquet close to where he died and said: ‘To my beautiful boy. I’m so sorry we never found you. I miss you so much. You will be forever young and forever missed. Love you so much, Mum’.
Another moving message pegged to a post by Jay’s father Walter Slater read: ‘To my Boy, Love Dad, Always, XXXX’.
While a third handwritten message from Jay’s brother Zak written in faltering handwriting was attached to a single white rose.
It read: ‘Love you little bro. Never in a million years did I think I’d be doing this. I’ll look after mum and dad. Hope you’re partying up there with granddad. Hope to see you again some day. Rest easy bro, I love you, Zak XX’.
A message from Jay’s big brother Zack which reads ‘Love you little bro’ and ‘I’ll look after Mum and Dad’
A handwritten message from Jay’s mother Debbie Turner attached with a blue peg to one of the bouquets
One car set of a blue flare as they approached the church
Floral tributes will come from the family but ‘if anyone would like to bring a single rose to place with Jay, they are more than welcome’, his relatives said in a statement issued through LBT Global
People watch the ceremony from outside the church
Mr Slater, an apprentice bricklayer, was also remembered in a tribute from his family which outlined the major events and passions of his life
Jay’s family endured conspiracy theories and vitriolic comments online by trolls during the search for the teenager including hoax hostage videos
Jay’s family endured conspiracy theories and vitriolic comments online by trolls during the search for the teenager including hoax hostage videos.
They were sent two sick videos of people, meant to be Jay, having beaten up and one clip was labelled: ”We have your son’.
The funeral was even targeted by online scammers who wrongly claimed people could pay to watch it streaming live.
A drone was heard flying over his funeral.
The family said: ‘After Jay left Rhyddings High School he went on to become an apprentice bricklayer with the PH Build group, a job he greatly enjoyed.
‘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 Joesph’s too.
‘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.’
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 Canary Island, which was about an 11-hour walk from his accommodation.
He had travelled to an Airbnb in 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.
