A British boy who was allegedly kidnapped by his mother six years ago was found by a medical student in the mountains of southern France, where he wandered for four days after escaping a “spiritual commune”, it has emerged.
Alex Batty, from Oldham, Lancashire, was just 11 when he failed to return from a holiday in Spain with his mother Melanie, then 37, and grandfather David, then 58, in 2017.
Alex's grandmother and legal guardian Susan Caruana said in 2018 that she believed her daughter and ex-husband David took him abroad to live an “alternative lifestyle.”
But today, six years after his disappearance, it turns out that Alex, now 17, escaped the “spiritual community” at the foot of the French Pyrenees and spent four days hiking over the mountains to reach his grandmother in England.
By a stroke of luck, Fabien Accidini, a chiropractor from Toulouse, was driving along a road while delivering medicine in the mountainous Aude region around 2 a.m. on Wednesday when he saw Alex running in the pouring rain.
The cold and exhausted Alex, carrying a skateboard, gratefully accepted Fabien's offer of a ride and eventually told him about his extraordinary attempt to escape the “spiritual community” in the south of France and reach England.
Fabien told La Depeche that the disheveled boy had revealed that his mother and grandfather had kidnapped him six years ago and he had decided to flee the “spiritual community” to which they belonged.
Alex said he hiked through the French Pyrenees for four days before Fabien spotted him – and one of the first things Alex did was message his grandmother from the student's phone and say, “I love you.” , I want to come home.”
An emotional Susan said she was “thrilled” and “shocked” that her beloved grandson was found alive and well. Alex should return to England soon, French prosecutors said this evening, adding that the criminal investigation into his disappearance was being led by British authorities.
Alex Batty, from Oldham, Lancashire, was just 11 when he failed to return from a holiday in Spain with his mother Melanie, then 37, and grandfather David, then 58, in 2017
Alex Batty, from Oldham, Lancashire, was just 11 when he failed to return from a holiday in Spain in 2017 with his mother Melanie (left), then 37, and grandfather David (right), then 58
Alex said he hiked through the French Pyrenees for four days before Fabien spotted him – and one of the first things Alex did was message his grandmother from the student's phone to tell him that he loves her and wants to come home
Alex's grandmother Susan (pictured), who was 62 at the time of the disappearance, said in 2018 that Melanie and David lived with Alex in a commune in Morocco in 2014 as part of an “alternative lifestyle.”
By a stroke of luck, Fabien Accidini (pictured), a chiropractic student from Toulouse, was driving along a road while delivering medicine in the mountainous Aude region at around 2am on Wednesday when he saw Alex running in the pouring rain
Alex flew to Malaga in September 2017 before being taken to a “spiritual community” at the foot of the Pyrenees. Investigators believe Alex fled the rural community in southern France and hiked for days through the French Pyrenees before being picked up by a truck driver who took him to a police station in Revel, near Toulouse
According to the public prosecutor's office, Alex's family has now confirmed his identity. “We confirm the identity.” [of Alex Batty]. Now he will return to the UK,” the Toulouse prosecutor’s office told La Depeche.
About the miraculous discovery he made on Wednesday evening, Fabien told the French regional newspaper: “He walked while the rain was falling in thick drops.” When I passed him the second time, I decided to offer to drop him off somewhere.
“He was quite tall and blonde and was wearing black jeans, a white jumper and a backpack. “He also carried a skateboard under his arm and a flashlight for illumination.” His attitude gave me confidence. He ended up getting in my van.”
He added: “For the first few minutes he seemed a bit shy.” We tried to speak in French but I noticed he didn't speak the language. I have decided to communicate in English. When I asked him his name, he said his name was Zach and then we continued talking.
Fabien continued: “We talked for over three hours!” Very quickly he gave me his real identity – Alex Batty – before telling me his story.
“He said his mother kidnapped him when he was 12 years old. “Since then he lived in a luxury house in Spain with about 10 people for three years,” said Fabien.
“He arrived in France around 2021. In the middle of the weekend he decided to leave his mother to join his family in England. He had been traveling for more than four days.'
Alex told Fabien that he had lived in a “spiritual community” with his mother and grandfather after they kidnapped him.
Fabien said Alex told him that his mother was “in a bizarre delirium when he spoke about spirituality”, but insisted that she had never locked him up and he could “leave whenever he wanted”.
“He had no animosity towards his mother, but he really wanted to find his grandmother.” “He really missed his loved ones,” Fabien said.
Fabien continued: “He was thirsty as he had been walking for several days, so I gave him some water.”
“When he explained his situation to me, I gave him my phone because he never had a way to communicate.”
“He sent a message to his grandmother on Facebook. Unfortunately she didn't answer. Alex originally wanted to go to a big city to find help and go to an embassy. But finally I explained to him that the gendarmes could come and pick him up.
Fabien drove Alex to the town of Revel, near Toulouse in southern France, before the 17-year-old told police who he was.
“When he arrived, Alex seemed very tired,” Fabien said. “He lay down on the floor.
“We were then questioned by the gendarmes. They tried to find out if it was really him. When they received confirmation, he was taken into care to spend the night in a home.
“It's Alex Batty, 100 percent.” When I saw the photos published by the English media, I didn't doubt his words at all.
“I think he's a little stressed about all this. I hope that he can get back to his former life and that we might meet again one day.”
His grandmother, who was 62 at the time of his disappearance, said she was “thrilled” that Alex had been found.
Speaking from home, she told The Sun: “I'm so happy. “I've spoken to him and he's fine. He is currently with the authorities in France. It's such a shock.
“I don’t know where his mother is. That are great news. I'm just waiting for him to come home. I'm excited.'
Alex flew to Malaga airport in Spain on September 30, 2017, as part of a pre-arranged trip with Melanie – who has no legal parental authority – and David for a week-long stay in the Benahavis area, near Marbella.
But Alex, his mother and grandfather failed to come home as expected on October 8, 2017, sparking a major police investigation into the boy's apparent abduction.
Alex's heartbroken grandmother, who was 62 at the time of the disappearance, said in 2018 that Melanie and David had already been living with Alex in a housing estate in Morocco in 2014 as part of an “alternative lifestyle.”
Alex Batty, from Oldham, Lancashire, was just 11 when he failed to return from a holiday in Spain with his mother Melanie, then 37, and grandfather David, then 58, in 2017
And last week Alex decided to flee the “spiritual community” and his mother and grandfather for the rural foothills of the French Pyrenees (file image).
For several days he hiked over mountains in the Pyrenees and passed through several villages, including Quillan (file image) in the upper Aude Valley in southern France
Susan, who has never given up hope of reuniting with her grandson, said she believes her daughter and ex-husband kidnapped Alex so he could live an “alternative lifestyle.”
She said at the time: “They didn’t want to.” [Alex] to go to school, they don't believe in mainstream schooling.'
Now prosecutors in southwest France are certain that Alex, now 17, showed up at a police station in the commune of Revel near Toulouse after a mammoth journey alone.
A spokesman for the French Gendarmerie said: “We can confirm that the young man found is Alex Batty. “He is doing well and is providing information.”
The spokesman said French authorities were in contact with Greater Manchester Police, who were “speaking to his family in England”.
Alex, his mother and grandfather have been living in tents and caravans in the wilderness for the past few weeks between the Ariege and Aude departments, east of Perpignan in southern France, reports the newspaper La Depeche.
And last week Alex decided to flee the “spiritual community” and his mother and grandfather to the rural foothills of the French Pyrenees.
For several days he hiked over mountains in the Pyrenees and passed through several villages, including Quillan in the upper Aude Valley in southern France.
After a few strenuous days of hiking through the mountain region, Alex stumbled exhausted onto a road and, by a lucky coincidence, was picked up by medical student Fabien on Tuesday evening.
Fabien, who said the boy could only speak English, said he called police after quickly realizing Alex's situation was “abnormal.” The driver dropped Alex off in Revel, Toulouse, before the 17-year-old went to the local police station.
Alex calmly told the shocked gendarmes that he had been living in a “spiritual community” for six years and was from Britain.
And today the Toulouse public prosecutor's office confirmed that it is indeed Alex Batty.
Initial investigations by the criminal police in collaboration with the public prosecutor's office indicate that Alex lived with his mother and grandfather in a “spiritual community” and stayed mainly in caravans and tents.
At the time of Alex's disappearance six years ago, Greater Manchester Police said “extensive investigations” had led them to believe that Alex, his mother and grandfather had left Benahavis and may have attempted to travel from the port of Malaga to Melilla in Driving to Morocco.
Officers said they believed Alex was staying with Melanie and David, who are “both at large” and wanted in connection with his abduction. However, it was now revealed that the family had been living in France.
As Alex's heartbroken grandmother Susan recalled the day the trio were due to return home, she revealed that the trio had sent her a video explaining why they had left the UK to pursue an “alternative lifestyle ” respectively.
Alex Batty, from Oldham, Lancashire, was just 11 when he failed to return from a holiday in Spain with his mother Melanie, then 37, and grandfather David, then 58, in 2017
Alex Batty, from Oldham, Lancashire, was just 11 years old when he went missing while traveling with family members in Spain in October 2017
Susan said in 2018: “I got this message on Facebook and it was a YouTube video of the three of them.”
“They all talked about it and Melanie gave the reasons why they did what they did.”
“Alex said it was a million times better to be with his mother and grandfather. Obviously it hurt a bit, but then my other worries surfaced.
“The reason I believe they did that is because my lifestyle, my belief systems, are basically not what they're okay with – just living everyday life like normal people do.”
“They didn’t want him to go to school, they didn’t believe in a mainstream school.”
On David Batty's Facebook, he posted pictures about the Matrix and how the government is “destroying our lives.” He also wrote that “secret courts” in the UK “are used to steal children for profit.”
Susan, who has said she was heartbroken by Alex's apparent kidnapping, never gave up hope of being reunited with her grandson.
On his 15th birthday, Susan begged him in a Facebook post to let her know he was safe and well.
“Happy birthday to my beautiful 15 year old grandson.” Alex, please have some compassion, I'm broken. Please just give me a sign that you're okay.
“I think every day that you are in a far away place, living the life your mother wanted for you.” I just want to know that you are still okay.
“It's been years of torture, my heart is broken.” I love you so much, I just need to know you're okay. I hope we see each other again one day. I would give anything for a hug. Grandma x'
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement released today that officers in Oldham were liaising with French authorities to establish the authenticity of reports of Alex being found.
A spokesman said: “This is a complex and lengthy investigation and we need to carry out further investigations and take appropriate protective measures.”