Jay Slater's mother releases statement as it approaches a month ...
The mother of missing Jay Slater says the family is aware of "vile" comments and conspiracy theories which are "hindering investigations here in Tenerife".
Almost four weeks since her son's disappearance, Debbie Duncan has issued a statement through the British overseas missing persons charity, LBT Global.
While saying the family "cannot put into words" its heartache, Ms Duncan also said certain comments online are "very distressing for us all to read".
She commented: "We are aware of the awful comments and conspiracy theories that are filling social media.
"These theories are hindering the people trying to help us in their investigations here in Tenerife and are vile to see as a family."
Jay, 19, was last heard from on 17 June after setting off to walk back to his holiday accommodation through an area of steep rocky slopes, caves and ravines - a journey of about 11 hours.
He flew out to the Spanish island with friends on 13 June to attend a music festival at Papagayo nightclub in the southern resort of Playa de las Americas three days later.
At 8.30am on 17 June he called his friend Lucy Law, telling her he had missed a bus, his phone battery was on 1%, and he had cut his leg on a cactus.
Image: The area of Tenerife being searched
His mother said: "As we approach four weeks of our beautiful Jay's disappearance, we cannot put into words the heartache we are suffering as a family.
"He is loved by everyone and has a close bond with his family and many, many friends."
Ms Duncan described her boy as a "loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to so many".
Matthew Searle, chief executive of LBT Global, said "horrific things" are "even [being] sent directly to family and friends".
He added: "It's important to consider how the family will feel when horrific things are being posted online.
"What is important is to locate Jay, and the constant barrage of conspiracy theories and wild speculation simply delays that happening - it must end."
Image: It is almost four weeks since Jay went missing
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Ms Duncan said the family had been "inundated with requests for interviews, documentaries and even as far as a movie" and asked people to refer enquiries to LBT Global.
She thanked the public for their "continued support and well wishes", and also thanked LBT Global, the British embassy and the police.
Spanish police said at the end of June that the search for Jay had been called off, almost two weeks after his disappearance.
