A heartthrob priest is being hunted by police for allegedly caring for an 18-year-old girl while he worked at the school she studied at before fleeing to Italy with her.
Father Alex Crow, who has been praised online for his good looks and who once claimed he was the subject of a “little exorcism,” is on the run with a former student at McGill-Toolen High School in Mobile, Alabama.
During an initial investigation, officers discovered a love letter between 30-year-old Crow and the teen from Valentine’s Day when she was still in high school. The teenager, who could not be identified, graduated last May as part of the 2023 class.
“There was clearly a different relationship than that between a priest and a student,” said Paul Burch, Mobile County Sheriff.
The Archdiocese of Mobile ousted Crow, a former rock musician, in July after he allegedly gave up his post at Corpus Christi Catholic Church on the outskirts of town.
At the time of writing, Crow and the teenager remain in Europe and appear to have no plans to return. She reportedly told family members that she was happy and asked them to leave her alone.
Female fans online are raving about Crow’s brooding looks. One Facebook commenter wrote, “He’s cute,” while another added, “He was a handsome priest.”
Police are looking for a now-sacked “heartbeat priest” who allegedly fled to Italy with an 18-year-old woman who police say groomed when he was a high school student
Father Alex Crow – who once claimed he was the subject of a “little exorcism” – is on the run with a former student at McGill-Toolen High School in Alabama
During an initial investigation, officers discovered a love letter between Crow and the teen from Valentine’s Day when she was still in high school
In a statement, Burch said the rock band’s former priest and frontman may have taken the young woman to Italy to perform an exorcism.
The sheriff said Crow is fascinated by demons and exorcisms, which is backed up by the former priest’s own words during the sessions.
“Former McGill Toolen students told [a local newspaper] Crow spoke about demons and exorcisms in class.’ according to a report.
Crow himself is a graduate of McGill-Toolen and later attended a seminary called St. Joseph before receiving his Masters of Divinity in Indiana.
The ousted minister also attended Sant’ Anselmo in Rome, Italy, where he received a BA in Sacred Theology and delved deeply into demons and exorcisms.
In lectures published online, Crow discussed at length his fascination with possession and other supernatural encounters.
“I grew up in a weird home, both family-wise, but a lot of weird things happen in the house too,” he said during a July 2022 podcast appearance.
“You could hear things moving or banging in different rooms.” “As a kid, I would see things from time to time, always thinking I was kind of over the top or just obsessing over things,” Crow said at the time .
The former Church member also described a time when he had health issues like chest pains and migraines. The cause could not be determined, he said.
Crow claimed he underwent a “minor exorcism” and initially had a “negative reaction” but “immediately felt better once the exorcism was over.”
The Archdiocese of Mobile removed Crow (pictured in October 2020) from office in July after saying he had given up his post at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church
Crow was a pastor of Corpus Christi Catholic Church (pictured) in Mobile, Alabama
“Woman crush priest” Alex Crow is pictured without a Roman collar in a photo posted online
During an initial investigation, officers discovered a love letter between Crow (pictured left) and the teen from Valentine’s Day when she was still in high school.
The ousted minister also attended Sant’Anselmo in Rome, Italy, where he received a BA in Sacred Theology and delved deeply into demons and exorcisms
The young woman’s parents were due to hold a press conference on Thursday but canceled the event over fears for their daughter’s safety.
“They are afraid that something might happen to their daughter,” attorney Christine Hernandez told NBC 15 News.
“She’s dating someone who the sheriff’s office considers a predator,” she said.
After the couple were spotted in Italy, the young woman reportedly told a family member that she “went with him of her own free will.”
She also reportedly insisted that there was no romantic relationship between them and that they lived in separate bedrooms.
In a July 26 statement from the Archdiocese of Mobile, officials said Crow had “resigned his commission in the diocese” and engaged in behavior “completely unseemly for a priest.”
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi told Crow that “he can no longer serve as a priest, tell people he is a priest, or dress up as a priest.”
At the time, the Archdiocese stated, “Due to the circumstances of his departure, we have reported this to the District Attorney.”
He had been ordained a priest just two years earlier, in June 2021.
Before joining the Church, Crow led a band called Alex Crow & The Altar Boys that played in the Mobile, Alabama area.
Before joining the Church, Crow (pictured) fronted a band called Alex Crow & The Altar Boys that played in the Mobile, Alabama area
The young woman Crow eloped with is a graduate of McGill-Toolen High School
It was claimed on the internet that the priest was able to commit possible leaks because of his good looks. Pictured: crow during a lecture
Burch and other officials said they would continue the investigation and look for other victims of the former priest.
The prosecutor says it’s possible other female students are involved.
It was claimed on the internet that the priest was able to commit possible leaks because of his good looks.
In a statement to local media, the Mobile County Attorney’s Office said it was cooperating with the sheriff’s office in the investigation.
“This is an active investigation, so we can only make limited statements to protect the integrity of the investigation,” an official said.
“The circumstances of this case are worrying and the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office is fully committed to addressing it,” the statement said.