Bramall Family Questioned Police About Safety of Great-Grandchildren with Patriarch

The family of Jay Slater appealed to police over concerns for the welfare of four children who were about to stay with their great-grandfather, the missing teenager’s stepfather has revealed.

Glen Duncan, Slater’s stepfather, disclosed that he and Debbie Duncan, Slater’s mother, contacted authorities after learning that their four grandchildren were scheduled to visit Peter Bramall, who is in his eighties, at his home in Lancashire.

The family had grown increasingly worried after Bramall, who had been married to Duncan’s mother Iris for 20 years, made a series of troubling statements following her death last December. According to Duncan, the elderly man had expressed plans to “do away with himself” and displayed concerning behavior that prompted the family’s intervention.

“We had no choice but to contact the police,” Duncan explained in an interview at his home near Accrington. “We were genuinely worried about the safety of the children going there. The things he was saying after my mother passed away were alarming enough that we felt we had to act.”

Authorities responded by conducting a welfare check at Bramall’s residence. Officers determined there was no immediate threat to the children’s safety, though the family remained apprehensive about the situation.

The revelation comes amid an already difficult period for the Duncan family, who have been coping with the disappearance of 19-year-old Jay Slater since June. Slater vanished while on vacation in Tenerife, triggering an extensive search operation that has yet to locate him.

Family tensions appear to have been exacerbated following Iris Duncan’s death from cancer in December 2023. Glen Duncan described a fractious relationship with his stepfather that deteriorated further after his mother’s passing.

“We’ve had a complicated relationship over the years, but things became particularly strained after my mother died,” Duncan noted. “The grief affected everyone differently, but his reactions raised serious concerns for us.”

Local social services have reportedly been monitoring the situation, though they declined to comment on specific cases when approached by reporters. A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary confirmed that officers had responded to a welfare concern but found no evidence warranting further intervention at that time.

Neighbors described Bramall as a generally quiet man who had become more withdrawn following his wife’s death. One resident, who requested anonymity, said: “He kept to himself more after Iris passed. It was obvious he was struggling with the loss, but I never would have thought there was anything to be concerned about regarding children’s safety.”

The incident highlights the often complex nature of family dynamics during periods of bereavement, particularly when the welfare of children becomes a concern. Mental health experts note that expressions of suicidal ideation following the loss of a spouse require careful attention, especially when the individual has caregiving responsibilities.

Dr. Sarah Winters, a psychologist specializing in grief counseling, explained: “When someone loses a long-term partner in their senior years, the grief can be overwhelming. Statements about wanting to join their deceased loved one aren’t uncommon, but they should always be taken seriously, particularly when children are involved.”

The Duncan family continues to face the dual challenges of searching for Jay Slater while navigating the aftermath of Iris Duncan’s death. Community support has been strong, with numerous volunteers assisting in fundraising efforts for the continued search for Slater in Tenerife.

“We’re taking each day as it comes,” Glen Duncan said. “Our primary focus remains finding Jay, but we also need to ensure the rest of the family is safe and supported during this incredibly difficult time.”

Local authorities have encouraged families experiencing similar situations to reach out to available support services, including bereavement counseling and emergency mental health assistance, particularly when concerns involve vulnerable individuals such as children or the elderly.