Jay Slater’s mother has insisted that her son did not steal a watch worth £12,000 before he vanished in Tenerife.
Debbie Duncan slammed the internet trolls who came up with wild conspiracy theories including that Jay, 19, had stolen a Rolex watch from a gangster in Tenerife before he disappeared.
Shameless keyboard warriors even suggested the teenager had become embroiled with a drug cartel or hopped onboard a yacht to Morocco.
Debbie, 56, told The Sun: ‘He would never have been involved in anything like that.
‘He had only been in Tenerife three days – and was at a festival with friends which had wristbands, security and an itinerary.
‘I’ve no idea where these drug stories have come from and the stuff about him stealing a watch is nonsense.’
Debbie Duncan (pictured) slammed internet trolls who suggested Jay had stolen an expensive watch from a gangster in Tenerife before he disappeared (Credit: The Sun)
Jay Slater pictured with his mother Debbie Duncan, who has incurred the wrath of trolls since her son went missing in Tenerife in June
The apprentice bricklayer went missing in Tenerife on June 17 and so began an extensive month-long search of the Spanish island where he was attending a music festival with his mates.
Four weeks later his body was tragically found down a rocky ravine in the Rural de Teno park with traumatic head injuries consistent with a fall from height.
Hundreds of mourners braved the drizzle at Accrington Crematorium Chapel in Lancashire last week to attend the teenager’s funeral.
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.
Jay’s body was brought to the chapel by horse-drawn carriage in a blue coffin, with ‘JAY’ embossed on the side.
His mother Debbie and father Warren Slater, 58, both wiped away tears as they led a procession of mourners.
The Slater family have endured conspiracy theories and vitriolic comments online since the teenager went missing – including hoax hostage videos.
Slamming the trolls, Jay’s grieving mother said: ‘The people saying stuff about him didn’t know Jay and they don’t know us.
‘He hasn’t been here to defend himself against all these horrible stories that were going on around the world about him.’
Jay Slater’s last known movements in Tenerife before he was found one month after going missing
Jay’s older brother Zak (left) wipes away a tear as he holds his mother’s arm
The order of service for Jay’s funeral featured a picture of the teenager smiling with the words ‘Forever 19’
Jay’s body was brought to Accrington Crematorium Chapel by horse-drawn carriage
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
Debbie was sent two sick videos of people, meant to be Jay, being 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.
Despite scammers attempting to ruin the funeral, 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.
Another said: ‘Keep partying up there’.
Perhaps fittingly for Jay, a known raver, his coffin was carried outside for burial to the sound of a drum-and-bass track.
A large outdoor screen was put up for the many people who came to say goodbye
Jay’s work colleague wear blue t-shirts which say ‘in memory of Jay Slater’ on the back
One man had brought a blue rose with his for the service
People put blue ribbons up all around the church in memory of the teenager
One car set off a blue flare as they approached the church
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.’