Alex Batty latest updates — Teen spent years ‘constantly on the move’ with mum and fled over fears of a move to Finland
ALEX Batty has been found alive after he went missing six years ago after fleeing a "spiritual community".
Alex Batty, from Greater Manchester, was just 11 years old when he went missing during a family holiday in Spain in 2017.
A French official confirmed in a press conference on Friday that the teen is due to return home tomorrow.
French prosecutor Antoine Leroy said that Alex and his mother "were on the move constantly."
He decided to flee his mum in the Pyrenees mountains after she told him they needed to move to Finland according to Leroy.
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
‘His mum was involved in a cult,’ relative claims
Relative Stephen Devine, a cousin of Alex’s mum, told The Sun: “Alex’s mum was involved in a cult.
“His grandma became his guardian but then his mum Melissa and grandfather offered to take him on holiday for a week and they were never seen again.
“It is going to be a big adjustment for him. He’s probably grown up without a formal education.”
Who is Melanie Batty?
Melanie Batty is the mum of Alex Batty who went missing in 2017.
She went on holiday with her dad, David, and son but they never returned.
They went to Spain on a pre-agreed trip, but his grandmother and legal guardian Susan Caruana stayed in the UK.
The three of them were supposed to leave Spain after a week but were not seen again, until Alex appeared six years later.
Off-grid nomadic commune where Alex Batty was kept ‘is cut off & has no schools’
The nomadic commune where Alex Batty was kept since 2017 is reportedly cut off from society and has no schools.
While Batty seemingly made no reference to cult-like behaviour in his reports, one expert said this could indicate a lean towards sectarianism.
Simone Risch, president of Infos Sectes, is used to collecting testimonies from those who escape cult-like societies.
Speaking to the French outlet, he said “the break with society, children out of school, social isolation and life in self-sufficiency are often the beginnings of a shift towards a sectarian movement”.
Alex’s grandmother never gave up hope
Susan never gave up hope that her grandson would one day be found.
Wishing him his last happy birthday message, she posted on Facebook: “Please just give me a sign that you are okay.
“All I want to know is that you’re alive and well. It’s been years of torture. My heart is broken.
“I love you so much. I hope that I will see you again some day. I would give anything just for one hug.”
Alex walked for four days
During the press conference, French cops said: "When his mother said to Alex that they needed to go Finland, Alex Batty decided to stop this journey and left his mum and started to walk for four days and four nights.
";He was mainly walking at night and sleeping during the day."
Alex Batty could 'probably return to UK tomorrow'
Antoine Leroy said that Alex will be with his grandmother "probably tomorrow".
The prosecutor added that further details will not be disclosed for Alex's safety.
French prosecutor reveals Alex's reason for leaving mum
According to the French prosecutor, Alex Batty made the decision to leave his mother in the Pyrenees mountains after she told him they needed to move to Finland.
Antoine Leroy said that Alex and his mother had been on the move continuously.
Alex walked for four days before being found by the delivery driver.
French prosecutor provides update
The prosecutor’s office in Toulouse held a press conference following the discovery of Alex Batty.
Alex Batty spoke to the driver that found him in English as he can't speak French.
The prosecutor's office confirmed that there wasn't any physical violence confirmed to them by Alex Batty.
It is believed that Alex described it as a "spiritual community".
What happened in Spain in 2017?
Melanie, Alex and David were due home on October 8, 2017 after a pre-agreed holiday to Spain.
However, they never returned, and inquiries at the time suggested they may have travelled from Malaga to Mellilla on the Moroccan border.
Police then launched an investigation.
Alex, now 17, has been found in Revel near Toulouse, southern France.
Who is Alex Batty and when did he go missing?
Alex Batty is a boy from Lancashire who went missing six years ago but has now been found.
He was 11-years-old when he went missing in 2017.
He went on holiday with his mum, Melanie, 37, and grandfather David, 58, when he was apparently abducted in Spain.
Alex went away on the pre-agreed trip with his other family members but his grandmother and legal guardian Susan Caruana stayed at home in the UK.
Off-grid nomadic commune where Alex Batty was kept ‘is cut off & has no schools’
The nomadic commune where Alex Batty was kept since 2017 is reportedly cut off from society and has no schools.
While Batty seemingly made no reference to cult-like behaviour in his reports, one expert said this could indicate a lean towards sectarianism.
Simone Risch, president of Infos Sectes, is used to collecting testimonies from those who escape cult-like societies.
Speaking to the French outlet, he said “the break with society, children out of school, social isolation and life in self-sufficiency are often the beginnings of a shift towards a sectarian movement”.
'His mum was involved in a cult,' relative claims
Relative Stephen Devine, a cousin of Alex’s mum, told The Sun: "Alex's mum was involved in a cult.
"His grandma became his guardian but then his mum Melissa and grandfather offered to take him on holiday for a week and they were never seen again.
"It is going to be a big adjustment for him. He's probably grown up without a formal education."
Facebook snaps appear to show commune worshipping Greek earth goddess
Images shared on Facebook by friends of Alex Batty appear to show the so-called commune he lived in for the last six years.
The friends appear to live off-grid and practice rituals, meditation and yoga.
Their posts refer to "Gaia", the Greek earth goddess and they praise the creation of "sustainable and abundant communities".
Alex's aunt claims teen was 'brainwashed' while at 'spiritual community'
Alex Batty's aunt, Maureen, has said the teen was "brainwashed by the religion" his grandfather is allegedly in.
She said the teen "had it rough" while in France.
The 73-year-old told the : "Alex has been brainwashed by the religion David was in.
"Alex hasn't had any education while out there, so we don't know what he'll be like when he comes home.
"[He] has had it rough. It is a mess."
What has Alex's grandmother said?
Susan spoke to The Sun from her home today and said she was “thrilled” that her grandson has finally been found.
She said: “I am so happy. I have spoken to him and he is well.
“He is currently with the authorities in France. It is such a shock.
“I don’t know where his mum is. It is great news. I am just waiting for him to come home – I am thrilled.”
Who is Melanie Batty?
Melanie Batty is the mum of Alex Batty who went missing in 2017.
She went on holiday with her dad, David, and son but they never returned.
They went to Spain on a pre-agreed trip, but his grandmother and legal guardian Susan Caruana stayed in the UK.
The three of them were supposed to leave Spain after a week but were not seen again, until Alex appeared six years later.
Alex had been walking for 'four days' before driver found him
The driver who found Alex Batty has revealed the astonishing moment he picked up the missing 17-year-old.
Driver Fabien Accidini said Alex “explained that he had been walking for four days, that he set off from a place in the mountains, though he didn’t say where.”
He added: “I typed his name into the internet and saw that he was being looked for.”
Alex then used the driver's phone to text his grandmother.
He wrote: "Hello Grandma, it's me Alex. I'm in France Toulouse. I really hope that you receive this message. I love you, I want to come home."
Who is Melanie Batty?
Melanie Batty is the mum of Alex Batty who went missing in 2017.
She went on holiday with her dad, David, and son but they never returned.
They went to Spain on a pre-agreed trip, but his grandmother and legal guardian Susan Caruana stayed in the UK.
The three of them were supposed to leave Spain after a week but were not seen again, until Alex appeared six years later.
Off-grid nomadic commune where Alex Batty was kept ‘is cut off & has no schools’
The nomadic commune where Alex Batty was kept since 2017 is reportedly cut off from society and has no schools.
While Batty seemingly made no reference to cult-like behaviour in his reports, one expert said this could indicate a lean towards sectarianism.
Simone Risch, president of Infos Sectes, is used to collecting testimonies from those who escape cult-like societies.
Speaking to the French outlet, he said “the break with society, children out of school, social isolation and life in self-sufficiency are often the beginnings of a shift towards a sectarian movement”.
Alex’s grandmother never gave up hope
Susan never gave up hope that her grandson would one day be found.
Wishing him his last happy birthday message, she posted on Facebook: “Please just give me a sign that you are okay.
“All I want to know is that you’re alive and well. It’s been years of torture. My heart is broken.
“I love you so much. I hope that I will see you again some day. I would give anything just for one hug.”
Alex's grandfather ‘may have DIED six months ago’
Alex's grandfather may have died six months ago it was confirmed by Antoine Leroy.
It is understood that Alex did not attend the funeral, but that there had been a ceremony in the community around that time.
Alex walked for four days
During the press conference, French cops said: "When his mother said to Alex that they needed to go Finland, Alex Batty decided to stop this journey and left his mum and started to walk for four days and four nights.
"He was mainly walking at night and sleeping during the day."
Who is Alex Batty’s grandmother?
Alex Batty’s grandmother is Susan Caruana, who was also his legal guardian.
At the time of his disappearance, Susan thought Melanie and Alex might have adopted “an alternative lifestyle” in another country.
She revealed that her daughter and ex-husband previously lived on a commune in Morocco with Alex in 2014.
She said at the time: “They didn’t want [Alex] to go to school, they don’t believe in mainstream school.”
Alex Batty could 'probably return to UK tomorrow'
Antoine Leroy said that Alex will be with his grandmother "probably tomorrow".
The prosecutor added that further details will not be disclosed for Alex's safety.
French prosecutor reveals Alex's reason for leaving mum
According to the French prosecutor, Alex Batty made the decision to leave his mother in the Pyrenees mountains after she told him they needed to move to Finland.
Antoine Leroy said that Alex and his mother had been on the move continuously.
Alex walked for four days before being found by the delivery driver.