The TV detective who helped search for Jay Slater has declared his intention to disclose the “full details” of the investigation in a new documentary.
Mark Williams-Thomas revealed his plan to “make a programme” to expose what was known during and after the teenager’s disappearance.
Slater, 19, vanished while at a music festival on Tenerife on June 17 last year. The young man from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was discovered dead on July 15, nearly a month after disappearing, after an exhaustive search.
His body was found not far from the village of Masca, mere metres from his last confirmed sighting.
Williams-Thomas, who covered the case at the time and interviewed witnesses, previously alluded to possessing recordings that “give clarity and a clear narrative to the very sad situation and events” surrounding the disappearance.
Over the weekend, Williams-Thomas wrote on X: “I think enough time has now passed and given response from people it’s time now to just put into the public domain what was known at the time and since in regard to Jay Slater and make a programme.
“The family have been told everything, I know they are making a programme as well, but from a very different perspective. It became such a massive story with so much misinformation.”
In a statement regarding his unique insight into the case, he added: “I was in the almost unique position to visit the locations and speak to nearly all the witnesses. It will take a little time because as with all my programmes they are carefully crafted.”
Addressing the backlash on social media about withholding information, he explained: “I did not release it because I respected the family decision not to. I do think the time will come to release it.
“So much wrong speculation and opinion around this case. It’s a difficult decision to make if it’s best to just leave it all alone. That’s said the full details are very interesting and do provide clarity to the whole situation.
“Although those who have a fixed opinion even though they know nothing properly I doubt will be moved.”