Police finish felony probe into disappearance of stripling Alex Batty who was lacking overseas for six years after going to Spain together with his mom and grandfather
The criminal investigation into the disappearance of teenager Alex Batty, who was missing abroad for six years after going to Spain with his mother and grandfather, has been discontinued.
The investigation ended on the basis he and his family would not support a prosecution, Greater Manchester Police said.
Alex Batty, 18, went missing seven years ago after travelling to Spain with his mother Melanie and grandfather.
He spent six years living a nomadic life with them in France, before deciding as a teenager to leave and return to the UK.
He left his mother and grandfather behind and returned to normal life in Oldham in December 2023, with his grandmother Susan Caruana, who was his legal guardian at the time of his disappearance in 2017.
After reporting to authorities and being reunited with Ms Caruana, Alex how after first being taken to live his new life with his mother he was excited to be back with her – but after a few years he realised it was ‘not the best for me’.
‘In the past six years I’ve met one maybe two people my own age who I’ve made friends with,’ Alex said.
He described nomadic life as ‘boring, to say the least’ and ‘very isolated from my own peers’.
Alex Batty, 18, went missing seven years ago after travelling to Spain with his mother and grandfather
Alex disappeared during a holiday to Spain with his mother Melanie and grandfather David
But after his return he begged police officers not to arrest either his mother or grandfather.
Today, Greater Manchester Police said the force said they had closed the criminal investigation into the alleged kidnapping because Alex and his family did not support a prosecution.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: ‘Detectives in Oldham have explored all possible lines of inquiry, however we have concluded there is insufficient grounds to move forward with any criminal prosecution.’
Detective Superintendent Matt Walker who has led this investigation said; ‘Alex and his safety has been at the forefront of our minds and actions since he was found in Toulouse, France in 2023.
‘In our commitment to protecting children, we felt it was important that the circumstances of Alex’s disappearance be properly and thoroughly investigated.
‘I led a dedicated team to do exactly that when Alex was first found, and this has continued since.
‘We have consulted with various partners, such as a complex case CPS lawyer and the National Crime Agency throughout, and concluded there would be no realistic chance of criminal prosecution.
‘Given this, the right thing to do is bring closure to this chapter of Alex and his family’s lives, particularly as this is the outcome they wished for.
‘Alex is now an adult, safe, and reintegrated with life back in Greater Manchester surrounded by those who love him, which ultimately is the priority.’
Alex lived a nomadic lifestyle with his mother (pictured) for six years
Alex is pictured with his mother and grandfather after allegedly being abducted when he was 11
Alex flew to Malaga in September 2017 before being taken to a ‘spiritual community’ in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Investigators believe Alex escaped the rural community in southern France and spent days trekking across the French Pyrenees before being picked up by a trucker who took him to a police station in Revel, near Toulouse
After being ‘kidnapped’ by his relatives in 2017, the teenager first discussed returning to the UK with his mother at the age of 16, but said it was a split-second decision to leave when he escaped in December 2023, leaving a note to his mother on a table.
He had already been considering leaving for two years previously after becoming concerned for his future prospects, having had no formal education since the age of 11.
In an interview last year, Alex said he began to have doubts about the nomadic lifestyle favoured by his mother when, by the time he was 14, he took jobs in construction, painting and renovating houses in order to earn money to eat.
He had already been taken across the border from Spain to France where they joined various spiritual ‘communes’ over the years.
He walked out on his mother and his grandfather, David, after an argument.
Alex said: ‘It was a normal day. To be honest I didn’t think I was going to [leave], it was a very very quick decision for it to be that day.’
After finding out Alex had fled, his mother reportedly made a late-night dash from her remote hideaway in France and is said to have travelled to Spain.
Alex Batty (pictured left) with his mother Melanie and grandfather David six years ago
Alex’s mother and alleged kidnapper, 48-year-old Melanie Batty, remains on the run
Melanie Batty sitting next to her father David Batty and her son Alex Batty at a market in June 2023
The then-17-year-old made his escape at midnight on December 11 when his mother was asleep in bed.
He was found by a delivery driver after he had walked for 22 miles over two days, drinking from mountain springs and sleeping in the woods.
After returning to the UK, Alex told The Sun: ‘I had an argument with my mum and I just thought I’m gonna leave because I can’t live with her.’
He added: ‘She’s a good person. But she’s just not a great mom. She just doesn’t do motherly things that you’re supposed to do. She’s not very warm and open.’
Alex said he had become weary of constantly moving house and working in exchange for food and boarding, and said he only made one friend his own age during his six years away – a Spanish girl he met in a cafe.
He said he learned languages by himself and studied maths and computing from textbooks but didn’t attend school.
