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Jay Slater’s mother has appealed for more donations so she can give the teenager “the send-off he deserves” as she tries to repatriate his body to the UK.
Debbie Duncan remains on the Spanish island of Tenerife after the remains of her 19-year-old son were found near the village of Masca on Monday.
In a statement posted Thursday on the Get Jay Slater Home GoFundMe page, she said: “Hello everyone, thank you for all your kindness, support and condolences in light of the tragic news of Jay’s body being found.
“We are overwhelmed with grief and are very grateful for your support.”
She added: “We are working with agencies to arrange Jay’s repatriation to the UK and any remaining funds, along with any future donations, will be used to help where needed and to pay for Jay’s funeral expenses at home.
“We want to give our boy the send-off he deserves, so please continue to share and support our fundraiser however you can.”
Mr Slater disappeared after attending the NRG music festival with two friends, and his last known location was the Teno Rural Park in the north of the Canary Islands, about an 11-hour walk from his home.
He had checked into an Airbnb in Masca after a night out, but the two men who allegedly rented the property were later deemed “irrelevant” to the case.
Spanish police said they called off the search for the apprentice mason in late June after helicopters, drones and search dogs were deployed to find him.
His remains were found on Monday, with a Spanish court confirming his death and saying his multiple injuries were consistent with a fall into a rocky area.
The High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands confirmed the identity of the body through fingerprints.
A court spokesman said the autopsy report determined the injuries sustained were consistent with an accidental fall.
The Spanish Civil Guard said Mr Slater may have fallen in the steep and inaccessible area where he was discovered.
Matthew Searle, of LBT Global, said the charity was working with the family to arrange the next steps of repatriating his body home and recovering his belongings.
After her body was found, Ms Duncan said: “I can’t believe it. We are here with the embassy staff waiting for news and now this is the worst news.”
She added: “I can’t believe this could happen to my beautiful boy. Our hearts are broken.”
