Channel 4’s upcoming documentary The Disappearance of Jay Slater explores the teenager’s death in Tenerife last summerLauren Morris and James Holt Senior Live and Breaking News Reporter
21:31, 22 Sep 2025
The teenager’s Debbie Duncan has opened up about his death in a new Channel 4 documentary
A new documentary has revealed the heartbreaking moment Jay Slater’s mum finds the contents of his bag he was carrying when he died.
The 19-year-old from Lancashire went missing in June 2024 while on holiday in Tenerife which prompted a huge manhunt on the island. He was tragically found dead in a remote area near the village of Masca almost a month later, on July 15.
The teenager’s mother Debbie Duncan has opened up about his death in a new Channel 4 documentary and in one moving scene, unpacks the bag that was found on his body, reports the Mirror.
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Sitting in her late teenager’s bedroom, Debbie says: “It’s been a year and I still can’t bring myself to unpack his case. I still smell his smell.” Turning to Jay’s dog she says, “You know, don’t you? You wonder where he is still when you come in here, don’t you?”
Debbie then shows a black zip-bag bag belonging to Jay to the cameras. “This is the bag Jay had with him when he was found. We got handed this from the Guardia Civil, it’s got his things in it,” she says.
Debbie Duncan holding photo of Jay(Image: Channel 4)
She is seen then carefully unpacking the contents that reveal details about her son’s last night. Going through the last items Jay had in his possession, Debbie says: “His driving licence and then this bottle of aftershave and his lighters.”
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Tragically, Jay was also carrying his mobile phone on which he made his final phone calls to pals before his death. The documentary also shows the final CCTV images of Jay Slater alive just hours before he died. The new film features final shots of Jay alongside the messages he sent.
At 11.55pm Jay is seen at Papagayo Nightclub and then there is CCTV of him leaving at 1.04am. At 1.12am he is refused re-entry into the club and can be seen at the entrance. A doorman appears to be pointing into the distance to show Jay something.
At 2.40am he sent a message telling friends: “Can’t get in Papagayo they got marker on me.” Pal Lucy replies at 2.48am: “I’ve just said I’ll come out and get you if you come home.” Then at 2.49am Jay replies: “Doesn’t matter it’s OK. I on a mission.”
A coroner’s report in July revealed that Jay told his friends he was ‘in the middle of the mountains’ and in need of a drink. He then attempted a 14-hour walk home the morning after the night out, when he was reported as missing.
The Disappearance of Jay Slater airs on Channel 4 on Sunday September 28 at 9pm.