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FINAL JOURNEY
Jay Slater cops ready to release body after confirming cause of death as grieving family prepare funeral arrangements
Distraught mum Debbie left a handwritten note and white flowers at the scene where her son died
THE body of British teenager Jay Slater is ready to be released to his devastated family before finally being flown home to the UK.
Spanish authorities have concluded their investigation after he was found at the bottom of a ravine in Tenerife close to where he vanished on June 17.
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A post-mortem found he suffered "multiple injuries" compatible with an accidental fall from a "considerable height".
They have ruled out foul play, officials said.
A spokesman for Jay's family said: "The body is now ready to be released to the family.
"There are a number of complex issues that need to be addressed before he can finally be flown home to the UK.
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"But the plan is for his family to be on the same flight. They want to bring him home."
His body is expected to be repatriated by the start of next week, the spokesman added.
It is possible a UK coroner will then request a second post-mortem before he can then be released for a funeral in his hometown of Oswaldtwistle, Lancs.
The latest development comes after Jay's grief-stricken mum, Debbie Duncan, 55, broke down after a Spanish court confirmed the remains found on Monday was the missing 19-year-old.
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They positively identified the body using fingerprints.
Devastated Debbie broke down and wept: ";I just can’t believe it.
"We’re here with the Embassy staff waiting for an update and now it’s come - the worst news.
"I just can’t believe this could happen to my beautiful boy. Our hearts are broken."
It comes as...
- Jay Slater was confirmed dead on Tuesday as body was found in gruelling search on Monday after 4 weeks
- Jay's mum said 'our hearts are broken' after 'beautiful' son's body is found
- Jay Slater cops revealed his cause of death details after teen suffered 'broken bones' from 'horror fall'
- The body was discovered just yards away from where Jay's phone last pinged
- Locals said it's 'hard to understand' how Jay's body got so far into ravine
- Jay's best pal Lucy Mae Law paid tribute to the 'happiest person in the room'
- Moment Jay Slater cops scoured 'inaccessible mountain' for clues after his body found
The discovery of his body in the rugged and unforgiving region overlooking Tenerife brought to an end a desperate 29-day search.
The alarm was first raised by holiday pal Lucy Mae Law, 18, after he rang her in a panic.
He said he was "lost in the middle of nowhere", had no water and only one per cent on his phone.
Spanish Guardia Civil launched a search of the remote mountains around the village of Masca where his phone last pinged.
They flooded the area with drones, dogs, a helicopter and officers.
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But after 12 days they suspended the search without finding a trace of the missing British teen - much to the dismay of his family.
On Wednesday, Jay's devastated family left touching floral tributes in the mountainous area where the teen fell to his death.
Mum Debbie described Jay as her "beautiful boy" in a handwritten note left with white flowers.
A teddy bear with England flags on and a bracelet with the letter J on were also placed on the rocky track where Jay was last known to be.
A heartbreaking note from mum Debbie reads: "To my beautiful boy.
"I'm so sorry we never found you.
"I miss you so much. You will be forever young and forever missed. Love you so much."
Dad Warren's message says: "To my boy. Love dad."
Jay's brother Zak, 24, promised to take care of his parents in a heart-wrenching message.
I miss you so much. You will be forever young and forever missed
Debbie Duncan
He wrote: "Love you little bro. Never in a million years did I think I'd be doing this. I'll look after mum and dad.
"Hope your partying up there with grandad. Hope to see you again some day. Rest easy bro. I love you."
One of the pictures from the scene showed a heartfelt note with the words: "Forever young. We will always have you in our hearts. Gone, but never forgotten. Love and prayers to you!"
And last night, Jay's tearful friends in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, held each other as they paid tribute to their pal.
They released blue balloons into the sky as the held a vigil for Jay.
Mourners tied heartwrenching messages like "you’ll be missed" and “fly high Jay” to the balloons, before letting them go.
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Blue ribbons lined the streets near the church and across the town not far from where the masses came together.
Inside the church, families were invited to light a candle and sign the book of condolences for Jay, while outside was packed with flowers.
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