Jay Slater mother Debbie Duncan returned to the UK along with his dad and brother on the same day as his body
The date of Jay Slater’s funeral has been confirmed after his body arrived home last week after a month-long search.
His family used some of the more than £74,000 raised through GoFundMe to fly him back from Tenerife where he died on June 17.
Jay, a 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, had travelled there with friends for a three-day rave before he vanished.
An autopsy concluded he died, likely instantly, from traumatic head injuries after falling from a height in a ravine.
With his family finally able to grieve, they have asked well-wishers to wear blue in his memory during his funeral, described as a ‘celebration of life’, at Accrington Crematorium on August 10.
Neighbours had tied blue ribbons to railings as a show of support when Jay first disappeared.
His friends and family then released blue balloons into the air when his body was found a month later.
‘Flowers only please’, the family requested, ‘but if anyone would like to bring a single rose to place with Jay, they are more than welcome – no bouquets’.
A tribute to Jay left by his mother Debbie near where his phone was last detected in Juan Lopez ravine (Picture: Jamie Wiseman/Daily Mail)
Instead of flowers, Jay’s family has asked people to donate to LBT Global, a missing persons charity that supported them throughout the search for Jay.
Remembering Jay’s life, 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 5 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.
‘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.’
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