Jay Slater Mystery: How Internet Theories Hinder Real Investigations | This Morning

Since 19-year-old bricklayer, Jay Slater, from Lancashire went missing in Tenerife on Monday, armchair sleuths have taken to the internet to share their theories. Isla Traquair is here to highlight just how dangerous these conspiracies can be. She's joined alongside detective Peter Bleksley with the latest on how the Spanish police are handling the investigation.
Broadcast on 26/06/2024
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[@laurenc2976]

You can criticise people online all you want but it was tik tokers and social media sleuths that helped solve the Gabby Petito case back in 2021. They literally assisted the police so much and actually found the location of Gabby's vehicle which ultimately lead the police in the right direction to find her body. Also, his violent and criminal history is indeed relevant as it indicates what sort of individual he is and who he might associate himself with.

[@BVking509]

Dont F with Cats

[@MoonlightForest]

Exactly. they moan about ‘armchair sleuths’ but some make valid points and ask good Q’s. A theory is good if it helps point police in the right direction. Trouble is these news reporters seem to forget how easily one can get tunnel vision when investigating the same case day in day out, it’s therefore a good idea to look at this from as many perspectives as possible.

[@zoesagittarius2675]

Tbf ‘armchair sleuths’ can be a help and a hindrance. Some of the theories people are coming out with on the Facebook groups are embarrassing but then some are decent. I don’t understand why police and people on these talk shows etc are telling people to not try and help… they know more than they’re letting on for sure

[@deanbuck7985]

​@@zoesagittarius2675agreed. The problem is when they are wrong it's awful. The fact people to this day think Madeline's parents killed her is hard evidence of this.

[@JayJay-ki4mi]

I'd rather listen to the sleuths because they leave no stone unturned. Even if I don't agree with their opinion I value it because important points are being raised.

[@LeeLondon]

1:00 Her ReCRAP was really helpful.

[@claudia2621]

I was looking for this comment 🤣🤣🤣

[@irenedavo3768]

Was his Passport in hotel?

[@mikedee1771]

She should not have apologised for that - it was the one thing she got right.

[@EthanLomas]

freudian slip lol

[@joelhall5124]

Definitely ​@@EthanLomas

[@flippinmentalproductions9990]

70,000 children go missing in the UK each year, 2% of those children are trafficked. There seems to be an overwhelming amount of media coverage for a person who took himself on holiday and got lost

[@mellowmarkable]

But most of those are reported found safe and well within a short time - the majority of resolved incidents (52%) end within eight hours, with 80% being resolved within 24 hours.

[@flippinmentalproductions9990]

@@mellowmarkable sorry I should have said that. What about the other 20% that we never hear about on mainstream news?? 20% of 70,000,. Huge!

[@mellowmarkable]

@@flippinmentalproductions9990 Some of those will be resolved in longer than 24 hours, the number of people missing for an extended period of time is much smaller than 20%. In figures from a few years ago, in 98% of recorded incidents involving missing children in England and Wales, no harm was recorded. 'The UK Missing Persons Unit records that 1,514 children are long-term missing, which means they have been missing for longer than 28 days in England, Wales, and Scotland (data for Northern Ireland isn’t available) and remain unresolved.' (Also from a few years ago, this is the total figure not an annual figure.) But you make a good point that some cases get lots of media coverage and others don't... In this particular case, I guess the fact that it was on a holiday abroad makes it more newsworthy? Most people have been on a holiday abroad with their mates, many people have been to Tenerife, most parents with older teenagers/ children who are now adults will remember their child's first holiday overseas without them and may have worried about their safety, it's something people can easily identify with..?

[@Therelatableduo]

I think it might be because of how bizarre the case is but I do 100% agree that there is too much media on it

[@averyintelligence]

He isn't a child. He was 19

[@123MondayTuesday]

recrap lol

[@denisesiddon7241]

😂

[@charlottejackson327]

😂

[@angrychu]

Freudian slip 😂

[@Stone-e2k]

🤣🤣🤣 I replayed that part

[@marvelstarwarsgeek1511]

Had a good recrap earlier 😅😅😅😅

[@Shay3356]

We’re human beings, it’s natural to think of scenarios etc to, try make sense of things. Freedom to think and speculate. Jeeeeez

[@kimgrant3879]

Tv channels do and get paid for it.

[@Shay3356]

@@kimgrant3879 exactly

[@ct5625]

You have the freedom to think and speculate. You DO NOT have the freedom to accuse people of committing crimes because your Tarot reader friend on Facebook told you so.

[@bennathan7353]

@@kimgrant3879yes and the picture they are building clearly makes no sense, makes more questions than answers, you don’t have to be a conspiracy theorist to understand that something else went on

[@janinabuczynska9939]

​@@ct5625😂😂😂😂

[@firstmotorhome8024]

When the truth comes out , are you going to apologise? You are not even reporting story accurately . Have you actually looked at the Snapchat pictures that” prove he was there” ? This is not Jay , it is a picture of a cigarette. You then or so convinced that because a phone pings a cell tower, return signal that this proves the phone was in his possession. How is this so? Why no mention of Lucy and her suspicious activities? So many holes in her story. When referring to Lucy, you say, “this is the information we know is fact “ . Just remember that statement because when Lucy is clearly involved and covering up her involvement!

[@garbancitolentejas486]

Right. Even "the trousers" do not match the shorts he was wearing. Of course, there is no doubt that the photo is from the airbnb ´s"Casa Abuela Tina" in Masca.

[@emilyds83]

It looks like a womens trousers in the snap chat!

[@firstmotorhome8024]

@@emilyds83 Exactly . But remember we can’t pass comment because we will be accused of being armchair detectives , trolls and conspiracy theorists! I would love to sit in with this panel, and when they start making comments say “ oh can we look at the Snapchat pictures then?” The media must’ve been told not to mention certain aspects of this case, because anyone looking at this from a neutral standpoint ,can see exactly what’s going on.

[@CelticSaint]

@@firstmotorhome8024 I sincerely hope that the police have asked the media to go down this route in an attempt to help them solve the situation. It is a common tactic that the police use, to distract everyone, whilst they look in the opposite direction. The alternative is that something sinister is going on.

[@sophiehine6634]

@@emilyds83it’s a blanket he has round him apparently

[@steve-kl9iv]

If the media told the truth from day one you wouldnt get all the theories. Making out he's a young innocent boy and his family are salt of the earth people 😂

[@deanbuck7985]

Well that's obviously not true based on every single other time a missing case blows up.

[@helencurrie7713]

@@deanbuck7985

[@nyallsmith320]

What about Nicola bulley then and many more ?

[@The-Thirteenth-Floor]

@@nyallsmith320 Thousands go missing each week and there is zero coverage. Why does MSM go on about one person? What it the appeal here? What makes this person more important than another? They know there is going to be some angle for them to create thousands of pointless articles. MSM care nothing for any of us...

[@RampinRabit]

Why walk over 10hrs when you can sit and wait 2hrs 🤔

[@mellowmarkable]

Could also have walked 15 minutes down the road to Masca village and had a look around, there are also cafes and a shop there, rather than sitting at a bus stop for 2 hours.

[@EthanLomas]

drugged up and perhaps anally disoriented northerner

[@nickcoppard5335]

Probably ​@@EthanLomas

[@CPNKKING316]

So what this morning is saying is that it's ok for them speculate and report this but don't dare attempt to speculate yourself , listen to us the mainstream media and let us tell you what's rite and wrong please , no matter what any of us speculate we all hope he's ok but speculation won't change what ever the eventual outcome is I'm sure that we can all decide for ourselves what is nonsense and what's actually possibly fact ❤

[@averyintelligence]

Yes

[@soulful3300]

How do we know the information Lucy gave is fact? What an odd way for her to phrase it. Even his dad said after visiting the site that there’s no way he would hop the road barrier to go in a completely strange direction. Having seen the pictures myself I don’t think it’s plausible. It doesn’t look like the way home, you’d stick to the main road and hope to hitch a lift. If he did leave the road, he would not be disorientated so quickly. The story doesn’t add up. Now the Spanish are saying loads of locals saw him watching the euros in the days after. It’s all very odd, no wonder people speculate.

[@ellaeadig263]

"People who watch two episodes of Vera" - someone tell old mate that people under 50 do not watch Vera.

[@laura1998xoxo]

It's his go to phrase 😂

[@ct5625]

Right? You guys just watch a thousand TikToks from nutty conspiracy theorists and believe every bit of it because it suits your need for smooth-brained drama.

[@steveb3060]

Seems like we have a multi tier justice system where your court sentence totally depends on the importance of the person who is attacked.

[@iestyn77]

2021, Jay, along with seven other youths, ambushed and chased fellow teenager Tom Hilton in Rishton, Lancashire, attacking him with a machete, golf clubs, and an axe.

[@veganwarrior67]

Did he survive? 🥺

[@sniperpd9505]

Every time you discuss this story you are encouraging more armchair detectives to get involved,

[@wassem-zs8nd]

the woman in green saying don't Fly out, flew out the next day!

[@Menooy22]

We can comment on whatever we want. But you can disable the comment section if you don't want us to, and of course you won't because you want that engagement. In fact, don't cover the case at all and let the police deal with it.

[@lauraditchburn1857]

The TV, other media, retired police officers including Sue Sim (ex chief of Northumbria) are all making a meal of it. Its a bit rich that they are criticising people who probably know more about it than they do.

[@ct5625]

They categorically do know more about it than you do. You are categorically not an investigator. You categorically do not have access to the case. You categorically are inventing all kinds of insane nonsense online because your lives are small and your brains a smooth.

[@BeePoohBear]

Recap!! Isla your giving wrong info. He DID NOT call Lucy. She called him!!

[@Debs785]

True

[@DebbieHawes-j9p]

He called Lucy

[@MrWrimark]

What I don’t get is who walks 11 hours, you are on holiday so you should have money , as no one goes on holiday without money,

[@sophiehine6634]

He was out his face

[@MarcLudford]

What a place to get lost how absolutely terrible I hope the police find closure very soon so he's found safe

[@Rebellion594]

Dumbfounded by how many detectives aren’t in work rather there on KZbin comment sections

[@SilverSparkles22]

Dumbfounded you think people don't work throughout the whole 24 hours in a day. Jeeezuz 😂

[@nowgrownup]

Rebellion 594.. ..I work ....But That's rich coming from you as your on here making comments and watching morning TV..So calling others but you don't work ...😂😂

[@jimmelton5846]

Wow, words of wisdom Peter. "The longer it goes on, the less likely it will be to have a happy ending." Incredible stuff.

[@chockycake1]

And programs like this keep going over and over the same stuff!!!

[@nataliewilson4273]

How after a week long search he hasnt been found still, but not only that, where they are searching now doesn't make sense for him to of gone🤷‍♀️

[@Anthonyinkz]

Mainstream media always slates the real free media 😂

[@KimHaugh-cl3db]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊a

[@Mark-sg2ri]

Whilst telling complete lies

[@nickwall2497]

He hadn't finished his sentence. He was sentenced in August 2023 and part of it was an 18 month community order, August 2023 wasn't 18 months ago and is still under the community order

[@petrus666love]

Trouble is the internet theories are true ! How can they hinder the search 😢

[@mellowmarkable]

They cannot all be true though can they? And many are clearly complete nonsense.

[@andymcnab2.0]

Check Lucy Mae's phone records, and that'll give you the lead.

[@ct5625]

Gee, thanks for that Columbo. I'm sure the investigating authorities hadn't thought to check the last people to see or communicate with him.

[@jennigee51]

It's disgusting that people are harping back to whatever his crime (for which he's done his time!) is, his family is no less distraught about his disappearance. While out shopping, 15 year old daughter went missing for over two hours, it felt like infinity! All I could do was sit and wait! I'd forgotten about some advice I'd given her, luckily she hadn't, I told her if she ever got separated, and just couldn't find who she was with, to get a bus home, and if she didn't have the fare, to give the driver her name and address and explain why she had no fare and, after waiting about an hour, that's exactly what she did. I was incredibly lucky, but I have a slight idea of the agony those parents are going through, if you have nothing good to say, say nothing!!

[@beckscald3855]

It's totally fine to wonder what happened and talk about it. However, it's too far to be going out there looking when you have no idea about the investigation, terrain etc. Also shouldn't be phoning or contacting police it doesn't help. Knowing the facts why he was there plays a part but not all of his background will be relevant. I agree with Peter on this.

[@emilyds83]

This makes me laugh so bassically were being blamed for commenting on this situation yet you are putting it on tv for us to then comment! I think you have no news to report so you have to find something to talk about!

[@chockycake1]

Totally agree

[@ChloeSwales]

In fact it’s raising awareness for all you folk that believe everything you see on the internet to be true.

[@rachaelhogan7850]

Exactly right Emily spot on totally agree something about this DONT add up

[@sammysaunders]

Paul Arnott is doing great work out there. He’s not interested in any theories, he’s just interested in using his expertise in mountaineering to help find Jay. His videos are just related to that and that only. If anyone pipes up with a theory he straight away directs them to the police and won’t entertain any of the nonsense!! Good on Paul

[@andreamcgrath8471]

A recrap lol made my day

[@rosienanci]

I know, I'm trying to keep an open mind but this was ironic considering it's meant to be dissing conspiracy theories. Freudian slip?

[@LouiseO78]

😂

[@Teepeeformybumholio]

As i recall armchair sleuths caught mr scofield out didnt they?

[@muhmuhmuh8913]

ITV, people can speculate as much as they like. You are not respected. Cheers.

[@nadiajamesroper4947]

Why is this program still on tv 😂

[@andnowi]

If I had a two-hour bus wait while on holiday, I probably would wander off into the hills for a look. I did that exact thing recently.

[@Yourballix]

After a heavy night of drugs. Good on ye ya walloper

[@andnowi]

@@Yourballix yeah that's the problem, and alcohol, but still I'm only talking a quick look-see, back 9.45

[@chockycake1]

So a bit of community service makes up for an horrendous act..of course the victim that was attacked will not be fuelling it, he doesn’t want attacking again!!!!

[@BritishPolak_303]

How is it a fact he had no battery, how is it a fact that he cut his leg?

[@DNBCYPHER]

Saying what Lucy said is a "FACT" is a huge RED FLAG

[@ct5625]

It's more of a fact than what you freaks see in a TikTok and believe without question.

[@itssamiyoutube]

Some are just hacking accounts and putting fake information up and tiktok sofa detectives ain’t giving correct information all cashin in on someones pain.

[@andreamcgrath8471]

It's gone beyond need water he will be starving to death by now if he lost out there. All those caves and crevices there must be hundreds. What an arduous task for the rescuer's. So distressing for his family

[@CelticSaint]

You are assuming that he is out there among the mountains. Why?

[@JimDuggan-tq2lv]

"It's gone beyond need water he will be starving to death by now" Lol a person would die of hydration before starvation, LOOOOONG before.

[@rachaelhogan7850]

@@JimDuggan-tq2lvExactly right

[@ct5625]

I can't believe I need to point this out, but there is absolutely no concern about him starving to death. A person can only survive for three days without water, and that's in a temperate climate.

[@49dwalin55]

Google maps walking route will take you North instead of South btw

[@mellowmarkable]

No it doesn't, I just checked. Anyway if you had a phone and checked the map it would be obvious that you would have to walk South, there is only one road. Although seeing that it would take over 10 hours it would be an odd decision to decide to walk, rather than wait 2 hours for a bus...

[@49dwalin55]

@@mellowmarkable completely agree

[@49dwalin55]

although maybe he thought the bus journey took 10mins and went into the mountains ? And never head any idea it was 11hours

[@damonpowell8443]

The mother needs to be arrested. She has proven to be committing embezzlement. So far, she has lied, dodged press, gaslighted, embezzled and now has resorted to threatening people.

[@whiterose9299]

There are so many chances to offer help from all people in the investigation. Not one did 😢

[@jc-246]

Ironically today the mecia have picked up stories zi read in vomment sections online. One being the past crime of his and the story of his drugs association. I got those stories online days ago from people who know the female driend over the years as their dealer, apparently. Police will not be interviewing these people yet but they made need to if this carries on. I hope he returns soon.

[@DNBCYPHER]

We police many incidents, 95% of cases get solved with someones random info.

[@iamaliveyoucantstopnow]

The guy has died and they have to find his body. That may be a challenge.

[@garbancitolentejas486]

Right... the boy is dead and now they want to find the corpse

[@jimoconnor2594]

Maybe his employers will send some of his work mates over to look for him, who are his employers ?

[@laurennuttall8586]

This morning show is the one harming the case not the public their just bitter because the public are involved & they don't wont it to happen again 👎🤔

[@ct5625]

You cannot even spell.

[@chardy8683]

Please check shaded areas x

[@michaelbrown1918]

You all manage to find no nuggets of information at all, yet criticise everyone else.

[@ralfmalf5828]

Surely they would have checked McDonald's first?

[@moonratz]

Did she offer to do a "recrap" at 00:59 ???

[@jodieclough7062]

Fine but look in to LUCY!!

[@chockycake1]

And the men at the air bnb 🤷‍♀️

[@CelticSaint]

Put her on a lie detector.

[@ct5625]

Gee, thanks Columbo! I mean, it's not like it's STANDARD PRACTICE for police to thoroughly investigate the last people to communicate with or see a missing person alive. I'm glad you're here to tell these investigators the blatantly obvious.

[@craighoworth3188]

Thousands go missing every day Whats so special about this lad

[@WhatDemocracy]

They're only allowed to make up their own theories and speculate on tv 😂😂😂

[@ct5625]

They're not making up theories, like you. They're reporting on the facts. Just because the facts don't match what "PsychicSleuthWineMom" says on Twitter does not mean your delusions are true and the facts are somehow wrong.

[@WhatDemocracy]

@@ct5625 🤦🤦🤦 absolute 🔔end

[@WhatDemocracy]

@@ct5625 That's the whole point, you simple little child. They're reporting all the same "facts" that were being talked about on social media.... wake up little fella

[@Brucey77775]

This Morning need to get their own house in order before making judgements

[@iggsta915]

Jays Dad asked for help from anybody to volunteer to help search,including internet detectives and only 6 people turned up!!! So where are all your tik tokers and you tubers you speak off?????

[@Thedevilwearsprada24]

💯💯💯

[@Thatsalright22]

Bit rich coming from This Morning

[@outlaw6421]

How does it hinder a investigation, people are now coming out of the woodwork saying he called them when he could not..if thats the case why is this news crew getting involved..

[@billmallon821]

Recrap 😂😂😂😂 i have a feeling that came from her heart 😂😂😂

[@AmandaQuincey-xy2kn]

Mother put those fairies out saying she got a message from ‎WhatsApp which you can’t check on. She said all the words she said in that one in a few was about four different theories so if anyone to blame without real in the Mum has done that she might not realize.

[@yodenman]

I know it seems obvious but why the heck did he not get a lift back by the same people who took him to the Airbnb. If not then surely waiting a couple of hours for a bus is preferable to walking several hours in boiling heat.

[@1976Doc]

So this woman supposed tv journalist went out to tenerife for days and continually said he walked into the mountains,he made calls,he asked for directions 😂😂 not once said there might be something dodgy going on....and she's a paid journo....utter disgrace

[@leftylucy2263]

Machetjay

[@ivinsp]

Some of these comments 🤪 just mind boggling

[@fd5927]

ITV and This Morning need to shut down (lock) this comment section on this KZbin upload. There are too many unjustified and wild comments that go beyond any ones personal beliefs. Meanwhile, an active investigation is still ongoing into a missing individual.

[@ct5625]

I think we need to start considering limiting access to the Internet to those who can pass a cognitive test. It could be something simple like a quick questionnaire. "Did we land on the Moon?" "Is the Earth flat?" "Are birds real?" I feel like something as simple as this would really benefit humanity.

[@scrapbookdays1468]

Woman pointed him to the bus stop at 10 but he then rang Lucy at 8ish ???? How ??

[@SorryImSam]

Complains people are speculating too much... Then goes on to speculate what she thinks happened. Good one lol

[@jc-246]

I disagree. The police should get on with their jobs and ignore if the case but ckues can lie online as friends and associates can comment as they wont be directly connected to the case and in this case it seems many friends and associates are telling their stories on facebook and other sites in the comments and the female companion of his is linkerd to drugs and how her story will likely be sketchy because she cant implicate herself or anyone in the chain. Who is the mystery guy using his account, too? Rumours uts Hay. Its worth considering. Also they can easily ignore all the stuff online and go about their job.

[@ct5625]

Ever heard of punctuation? Why is it that so many of you conspiracy theorists are illiterate? I'm sure there's an intellectual correlation there.

[@jc-246]

@ct5625 I'm actually an ex journalist, and now a writer, my punctuation is a strong point, but never when I text or write on socials. I just say what I think and more so, texting is an issue on my uni hertz titan phone has a small keypad and moreso my long pointed nails 💅😄

[@dbgoestotheinternet7609]

A member of the public found Nicola Bulley

[@PH-vv1ky]

Ankther case of missing white perosn syndrome

[@culturevulturepapi8948]

1:00 she wants to de a recrap 😂

[@es78xx]

he might have gone for a nap somewhere if he has been out partying all night .

[@EXPLORINGWITHMATTY]

Funny now ent it how peter bexley is now saying lot of the conspiracys are coming true

[@YouTuber206_]

If she tells him the bus is two hours then drives past him. Why not ask the drugged up boy if he needs a lift etc

[@rosiejones4589]

Has anyone spoken to the two men he stayed with ? I'm sure they are aware of him going missing.

[@ct5625]

No. The cops definitely totally ignored all basic practice and common sense and didn't interview the LAST PEOPLE known to have seen him alive. FFS, you people are deranged.

[@theresaporter3361]

Lady who passed in her car, why not offer Jay a lift, why didn't Jay wait for the next bus as walking would've took about a full day.

[@agoraphobicsocialite6897]

Hardly ....

[@YouTuber206_]

It’s not a fact he was up there, it’s a fact his phone was. That woman could be anyone and lying and staged by others. Has anyone seen hostel ?

[@ct5625]

You shouldn't be watching any movies like that if you cannot tell the difference between reality and fiction.

[@craigelliott12]

Slip of the tongue .... Recrap ??? Would suggest there was more before ... highly likely

[@stewartgallagher5804]

RECRAP 😂 😂 😂

[@nedat75]

Is that the gal from Mtv?

[@creativeamerican8811]

If people online leaving comments regarding their theories on this guys disappearance and that is effecting the police’s investigation… then I would say the police are doing an awful job. Ridiculous. It’s pretty clear the police of Tenerife are in on this also. Why else would they let the last two people to see him leave the island. Strangers who had driven him 45 minutes from where he was meant to be staying. Don’t go to Tenerife basically.

[@janiceleighton7348]

The best police have theoys sooo

[@ct5625]

You can't even spell.

[@jonathanjames3984]

1:00 Let me just quickly do a recrap. Tee hee!

[@matthewprice7252]

Or facts

[@fantasyfighter98]

Shut up and listen to us, we are the ministry of truth

[@Scotland420life]

But look at this morning past that bad lol that why they don't want their past up

[@nickcoppard5335]

He will turn up later on as jayne tyler ,

[@StevenHaggis]

Who the F... is that S... anyway?

[@Robbo85]

Thought police over here!

[@number8533]

What decent raver doesn’t take Charlys advice?

[@gingergrace8889]

A recrap?? 😂😂😂

[@chantellejulienne5968]

Recrap😂😂😂😂

[@katiewoods7639]

That's what she really meant to say 😂

[@James91x]

I think i know who took him . His name is KARMA

[@marievaughan8833]

GO FUND ME, WHY??!

[@ianterrell9454]

i see isla the liar from the nicola bully case has popped up again

[@georgegalyer8224]

I'm sorry but c'mon there's a lot more to this than a missing youngster?

[@DanicaKennedy]

Recrap 😂

[@juliehubbard158]

We don't have any facts we have one person's version of events dont we?

[@ct5625]

The authorities have interviews with everyone. They have phone data. They have text messages. They have geo location pings. They have witness statements from locals. You have what you read on Facebook and Twitter from people you don't know. You have random TikTok videos from clout chasers who probably couldn't even locate Tenerife on a labeled globe. It's not your business to be claiming anything counter to what the actual investigators have asserted, because you are not privy to the information they have and you have no stake in this investigation.