Candour had exclusive access to the teenager’s family and the coronial process

Channel 4 has commissioned a documentary from Candour Productions about teenager Jay Slater, who went missing on the island of Tenerife.

The Disappearance of Jay Slater is a single doc, executive produced by Anna Hall and directed by Annaliese Edwards for Candour Productions. It was commissioned by Rita Daniels for Channel 4.

The story sparked worldwide interest, with global media gathering to follow the search; Jay Slater’s body was eventually found two weeks’ after his disappearance.

Leeds-based Candour had exclusive access to the coronial process in Lancashire, accompanying Jay’s family from post-mortem to inquest and following the family’s quest for answers as they navigated the enormity of press interest and online theorists.

Commissioning editor Daniels said: ‘The story of Jay Slater captured the nation last summer with a fervour and intensity fuelled by armchair detectives and internet culture.

“We are so glad to be working with Anna [Hall] on a sensitively handled exploration of the family’s experience, and understanding the impact of being in the middle of a social media storm, amplified by grief. The film holds a light up to our current society and is exactly the story that is a necessity for Channel 4 to tell.’

Hall added: “We have been working with Debbie and Warren and Jay’s wider family since last June. What we have witnessed has been utterly horrific – not only the pain of a family in deep grief, but the full onslaught of the online world, the world of tiktokers and youtubers who feel they can say whatever they like, widely speculating about one family’s tragedy.

“It is appalling what has happened to Jay’s family – and we hope this film will help to bring awareness of the real life consequences of online speculation. It is an unmonitored world where fake news runs rife – and this film shows the devastating impact this has had on one grieving family.“