Jay Slater - Former Madeleine McCann investigator breaks silence after body found during search for missing British teenager

The investigator involved in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has broken his silence after a body was found during the search for Jay Slater.

Mark Williams-Thomas said missing A British teenager may have died accidentally after falling in an “inaccessible area” of Tenerife.

Former British detective Mark Williams-Thomas outside the Airbnb villa in the village of Masca where the missing teenager stayed before disappearingCredits: Ian Whittaker

Jay Slater pictured with his mother Debbie DuncanCredits: Facebook

Mark Williams-Thomas posted this image with his social media updateCredits: Twitter

In an update on X, formerly Twitter, the expert wrote: Human remains have been found and all indications are that it is Jay Slater.

“Initial investigations reveal that he may have been the victim of an accidental fall in an inaccessible area.

“The family has been informed and official identification will follow.”

The former Met detective revealed last week that he had passed on “important new information” to Spanish police.

But he would not reveal exactly what this explosive new clue was.

The source added: “They (Jay’s family) are particularly keen to know whether the details passed on by Mark Williams-Thomas have proved useful.

“They hope and pray that Mark’s work can take the investigation into a new phase and take them in a direction that will lead to answers about what happened to Jay.”

Earlier this afternoon, Lancashire Police issued an update as Jay’s heartbroken family await an official cause of death after a gruelling four-week search.

A statement said: “We were informed today (Monday 15 July) by the Guardia Civil that they have found the body of a man and everything indicates that it is Jay Slater.

Former Maddie Investigator Reveals ‘Important’ New Clue in Jay Slater Case

A body was found in the dangerous Masca Mountains, where Jay’s phone last rang.Credits: Ian Whittaker

The former Met detective often posted updates on the search for Slater on his X accountCredits: Twitter

The 19-year-old man disappeared on the morning of June 17Credit: PA

“While no formal identification has been made at this stage, our thoughts are with Jay’s family at this time, and we continue to offer them our support.”

Jay went missing on the morning of June 17 after going to a rave the night before with friends – sparking a huge effort to find the Lancashire teenager.

Spanish police ended the official search less than two weeks later, but a body believed to be Jay’s was found today in the village of Masca, the last area he was reportedly known to be.

The body appears to have been found near where his cell phone was last heard from – along with Jay’s belongings and clothes.

But Spanish police have refused to reveal the exact location where the body was found.

An autopsy is expected to take place in following a few days in the town of La Laguna, in the north of Tenerife.

Jay’s distraught family have been updated and an official police investigation is expected to follow.

Jay’s family must now wait anxiously to learn the official cause of death.Credits: Doug Seeburg

Jay’s father and brother were searching the mountains of TenerifeCredits: Doug Seeburg