A young boy, who was only 11 when he went missing on a holiday abroad, has been finally found after a six-year search.
Now 17, he safely returned to the UK on Saturday, December 16.
The British youngster stayed at a French farmhouse on and off for two years, and its owners have shared details about his time living with them.
The safe return of Alex Batty, the teenager who vanished six years ago during a holiday in Spain with his mother and grandfather, has been confirmed as the plane carrying him landed back in the UK.
Alex Batty : Les propriétaires d'un gîte dans l'Aude l'ont accueilli pendant deux ans, ils racontent via @actutoulouse https://t.co/AkWeDtw8cT
— actu.fr (@actufr) December 18, 2023
Now 17 years old, Alex, who was 11 at the time of his disappearance, reunited with his step-grandfather at Toulouse airport on Saturday, December 16, before boarding the flight to the UK, as disclosed by the Greater Manchester Police.
During a news conference on Saturday night, GMP Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle revealed that a family member and specially-trained officers greeted Alex at Toulouse airport before boarding the flight back to the UK.
They mentioned that he engaged in odd jobs in exchange for food and accommodation.
Chief Matt acknowledged the significance of the reunion, “This moment was undoubtedly huge for him and his loved ones, and we’re glad that they have been able to see each other again after all this time.”
Alex Batty's mother Melanie is a conspiracy theorist who wanted to set up a 'spiritual community' and thought Covid-19 'was created by the state to control people', friend says as Interpol join search for her https://t.co/6gdiNgRyKc pic.twitter.com/DP6CYcSWJZ
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) December 18, 2023
The Greater Manchester Police clarified that, as they had not obtained formal statements from Alex, they could not comment on the details provided by French authorities regarding his activities during the period he was missing.
Chief Matt emphasized the importance of conversing with Alex at a pace comfortable for him, indicating that this would influence the progression of the case and the potential initiation of a criminal investigation. “[Alex] may now be six years older than when he went missing, but he is still a young person,” Matt emphasized. The circumstances surrounding Alex’s disappearance are yet to be fully established.
Following their departure from Greater Manchester, Alex’s mother and grandfather, Melanie and David Batty, embarked on a pre-arranged week-long holiday to Marbella in Spain on September 30, 2017. Alex’s last sighting was at the Port of Malaga on October 8 of that year, the anticipated day of their return to the UK.
Subsequently, Alex was reportedly living in the remote Pyrenean valleys, adopting an itinerant lifestyle within a commune, traversing various locations, including Spain, Morocco, and France. Afterward, he is said to have walked through the mountainous terrain of southern France for four days while trying to return to England.
A delivery driver who rescued missing Alex Batty in France has told Sky News that the British teenager just wants "to live a normal life".
Read more: https://t.co/ZTyPavK2Xw pic.twitter.com/LrDRxfilXg
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 14, 2023
On the night of Wednesday, December 13, he was discovered by a delivery driver and chiropody student, Fabien Accidini. He extended his assistance by lending Alex his phone and allowing him to use his Facebook account to contact his grandmother, Susan Caruana.
French prosecutors, providing updates on Friday, December 15, indicated that Alex’s mom, Melanie, wanted in connection with his disappearance, may currently be in Finland, while his grandfather, David, is reported to have passed away about six months ago.
According to prosecutor Antoine Leroy, Alex expressed awareness that his unconventional lifestyle with his mother needed to cease, especially after she disclosed plans to move to Finland. This realization prompted him to embark on a four-day journey across the Pyrenees.
Despite his challenging journey, Alex was described as “tired” but “in good health” after a check-up by French officials. Although he hadn’t attended school for six years, he appeared “intelligent,” and the prosecutor noted no signs of physical violence.
Facebook message sent by missing Brit Alex Batty, 17, to grandmother who has waited six years to be reunited with him: 'Hello grandma, it is me Alex. I love you I want to come home' https://t.co/QOlRNJBu2v pic.twitter.com/bRjZzizsTK
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) December 14, 2023
GMP affirmed that Alex received proper care from French authorities and had a video call with his grandmother on Thursday, December 14. Expressing her anticipation for Alex’s return, Susan, his grandma and legal guardian from Oldham, Greater Manchester, had previously stated that she “can’t wait” to see him.
“I cannot begin to express my relief and happiness that Alex has been found safe and well. I spoke with him last night, and it was so good to hear his voice and see his face again. I can’t wait to see him when we’re reunited. The main thing is that he’s safe, after what would be an overwhelming experience for anyone, not least a child,” Susan shared on Friday.
During his time missing abroad, Alex is reported to have lodged at a French farmhouse, and the proprietors, Frederic Hambye and Ingrid Beauve, who affectionately knew him as Zach, have shared details about his stay. The Gite de la Bastide, situated in a small hamlet nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees, was where Alex stayed on and off for the past two years.
Alex Batty's life in French farmhouse revealed: 'Abducted' British boy stayed with couple who took him under their wing while his mother lived in 'spiritual communities' – but left for UK to get new ID papers so he could go to school https://t.co/9zQJYdKTwN pic.twitter.com/o6ceguoU9j
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) December 17, 2023
The owners, posting on their website on Sunday, December 17, described Alex as “part of our family” who “had good relations with our kids.” They mentioned that he engaged in odd jobs in exchange for food and accommodation.
They took him on outings throughout the summer, including cycling and trips to the beach and nearby river. Although his mother did not reside there, Alex occasionally left to join her, with the last return to the gite occurring in early summer.
The French couple revealed that Alex expressed a desire to “return to a normal life,” prompting them to assist him in finding a place at a school. However, the plan faced a setback as official identification, which he lacked, was required.
Alex Batty's grandmother's desperate Christmas message begging teen to come home https://t.co/3xhVgme7c2 pic.twitter.com/1z6U1S541q
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) December 16, 2023
Subsequently, he informed them of his intention to return to the UK to obtain the necessary identity documents for enrolling in a local French school to study computer science.
Upon leaving, Alex expressed his intention to join his mother, and the couple assured him that he “would always be welcome” and that they were ready to assist if needed. The French owners concluded their press release by stating, “We wish [Alex] the best of luck.”
