Missing boy Alex Batty found alive in France SIX years after vanishing into thin air
Alex Batty, who vanished in Spain six years ago in an apparent abduction, has been found alive and well in France.
Schoolboy Alex Batty, who vanished after an apparent "abduction" in Spain six years ago has been found in France, prosecutors revealed today.
Alex Batty was just 11 when he went missing during a holiday in Marbella with his family in October 2017. And now, La Depeche, the newspaper that covers the area, reported: "The Alex Batty mystery is about to be solved."
The boy, who is from the town of Oldham, close to Manchester in the UK, had been travelling with his mother Melanie Batty, who was 37 at the time, and his grandfather David Batty, then 58. The pair were prohibited from being with Alex at the time because of domestic difficulties.
However, they did not return to England as expected on October 8, 2017. Police made extensive inquiries and believed that the family left Spain and may have tried to head to Melilla in Morocco from the Port of Malaga.
The boys grandmother Susan Caruana, who was his official guardian, speculated that they had settled into "an alternative lifestyle" somewhere and said at the time: "They didn't want [Alex] to go to school, they don't believe in mainstream school."
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However, now prosecutors in France have said the boy is alive and well after the now 17-year-old turned up alone in Revel, near Toulouse.
Local media said: "Although he did not show any official document to the gendarmes who took him in, this young 17-year-old boy provided his identity on his own. His face and his story correspond in every way to that of the Briton kidnapped in 2017. This Thursday the Toulouse public prosecutor confirmed that it is indeed Alex Batty."
Local investigators believe Alex escaped a rural community that was located in the foothills of the Pyrenees. He was picked up after days of hiking with only a backpack, skateboard and headlamp, the Sun reported.
The lorry driver grew concerned and contacted local police. On the way to the station the boy reportedly asked to use the driver's phone to message his grandmother he was alive.
Alex was then questioned by detectives and he "recounted his incredible journey serenely and calmly", according to La Dapeche.
Speaking to the Sun, Alex's grandmother Susan said she was "thrilled". She added: "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.”
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that there had been a sighting of Alex on Wednesday. The force said it is in touch with French authorities to put "safeguarding measures in place".
A spokesperson for GMP said: “This is a complex and long-running investigation, and we need to make further enquiries as well as putting appropriate safeguarding measures in place.”
A French police spokesman added: "We can confirm that the young man who has been found is Alex Batty. He is well and providing information".
Alex's mother Melanie and grandfather David have remain at large but are wanted by police in connection to the boy's disappearance.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that there had been a sighting of Alex on Wednesday. The force said it is in touch with French authorities to put "safeguarding measures in place".
A spokesperson for GMP said: “This is a complex and long-running investigation, and we need to make further enquiries as well as putting appropriate safeguarding measures in place.”
