Jay Slater, a 19-year-old from the UK, attended the NRG music festival in the Canary Islands on June 16, but his journey took a strange turn when he went missing the next day. The last person to see him was Ayub Qassim, a British man who had invited Jay to his Airbnb accommodation in Masca, Tenerife.
Who is Ayub Qassim?
Ayub Qassim, a holidaymaker in Tenerife, was staying in a remote cottage in Masca when he met Jay Slater. Qassim claimed to know Jay “through friends” and offered him a place to stay after his friends had left him stranded. He described Jay as a “cool guy” and denied any altercation or disagreement between them.
The Night Jay Went Missing
According to Qassim, Jay stayed at his Airbnb on June 16. The next morning, around 7:30 AM, Jay left the property to catch a bus back to Playa de las Americas. However, he missed the bus and embarked on an 11-hour journey through Rural de Teno Park. Jay’s last phone call was to a friend at 8:50 AM, stating he was lost and had only one per cent battery left.
Jay’s disappearance has raised concerns, and an investigation is underway. Qassim’s account of the events has been reported, but many questions still surround Jay’s disappearance. The search for Jay Slater continues, leaving his family and friends uncertain and worried.
Ayub Qassim, a resident of Barking, East London, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the disappearance of Jay Slater, asserting that he has been grossly misjudged.
Despite his troubled past, which includes a conviction in 2015 for leading a London-based drug trafficking ring that supplied heroin and crack cocaine to Cardiff, Qassim maintains that he and his friend voluntarily remained on the island to cooperate with local authorities.
In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Qassim emphasized, “I have been advised by the Spanish police to refrain from speaking to anyone, which is why I have remained silent. I assure you, I have done nothing wrong.”
Qassim’s criminal history, which includes a nine-year and nine-month sentence, has raised concerns about his involvement in Jay’s disappearance. However, Qassim insists that he has turned over a new leaf and is committed to aiding the investigation.
Detective Mark Williams-Thomas, a former detective and TV investigator, has supported Jay’s family in their search for the missing 19-year-old. Williams-Thomas has questioned Jay’s decision-making process, suggesting that he could have returned to Airbnb instead of venturing into challenging terrain against his friend’s advice.
Investigation Update
Spanish authorities have reportedly deemed Ayub Qassim and his friend “irrelevant” to the investigation, shifting their focus to other leads and potential sightings. However, the significant attention surrounding the case has also spawned conspiracy theories and speculations, which Slater’s family has denounced as “vile” and “extremely distressing.”
Family’s Plea
Jay’s family has urged the public to respect their privacy and allow the Spanish police to conduct their investigation without interference. They request that the focus remain on finding Jay and uncovering the truth rather than perpetuating harmful speculations.
The search for Jay Slater continues, hoping he will be found safe and sound.
The search for Jay Slater persists, and generous donations totalling nearly £50,000 from a GoFundMe page are being allocated to facilitate the search efforts. The funds are designated to cover essential expenses, including:
– Accommodation for the search party
– Equipment and gear necessary for the search
– Other vital expenditures
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