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.
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.
As the church overflows with wellwishers, who are able to watch the beautiful ceremony from a screen outside, speeches from his friends and family speak of the boy who ‘lit up every room’ and ‘always had a smile on his face’.
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.
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
Jay was pulled along in a horse drawn carriage to get to the church
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
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
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.’
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.
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
One car set of a blue flare as they approached the church
One man had brought a blue rose with his for the service
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
‘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.