It's the case that hit the headlines and touched hearts around the world - the story of Alfie Evans.

The 23-month-old, who captured the hearts of millions across the world sadly died in the early hours of Saturday morning, his family confirmed.

Alfie's parents exhausted every legal avenue in the UK - and had two appeals to the European Court of Human Rights refused.

The hospital believed no more could be done for Alfie and applied to withdraw treatment - but his parents Tom Evans and Kate James argued passionately that they should be allowed to move their son to another specialist children's hospital in Italy.

Alfie's parents - and his legions of supporters across Merseyside and beyond - had hoped doctors there could provide a diagnosis for the mystery illness which afflicted him.

Parents Tom Evans, 21, and Kate James, 20, battled to take their son to the Bambino Gesú hospital in Rome, where doctors gave the same prognosis but it is understood they were willing to continue treatment.

The timeline below charts the history of Alfie's condition - and the legal battle which surrounded his life before he died.

Time Line

Timeline: Alfie Evans's life and the court battle surrounding him

  1. May 9. 2016 - Alfie is born

    Alfie is born in a three-bedroom property in Dingle - his uncle's home. He spends the first few months of his life there

  2. December 2016 - Alfie admitted to Alder Hey

    Alfie is rushed to Alder Hey hospital after he slopes back in a chair and begins to make jerking movements. His condition deteriorates at Alder Hey, with Alfie suffering seizures and then slipping into a coma.

  3. Late 2016 - Alfie taken to doctors several times

    After the first few months of his life where Alfie seemed healthy and smiley, parents Tom and Kate become concerned after noticing he was very weak - taking him to the doctors several times.

  4. June 2017 - parents fear court battle

    Dad Tom Evans tells the ECHO he fears Alder Hey could mount a legal battle to switch Alfie's life support off, as it is not clear Alfie can recover.

  5. June 2017 - Alfie's Army offers support - and fresh hope

    Thousands of people join 'Alfie's Army' online, with messages of support flooding in after the ECHO first reported the story. A change.org petition backs the parents and Alfie's parents say they have new hope of a diagnosis in the USA.

  6. August 2017 - parents turn to doctor who offered to help Charlie Gard

    Charlie's parents turn to Dr Michio Hirano, the US neurologist who offered to provide revolutionary treatment to help Charlie Gard. They also say doctors in Utah and Italy have said they may be able to help

  7. December 2017 - Alder Hey applies to switch off life support

    Alfie's parents say they are in a "living nightmare" as the hospital says they have exhausted all options. In a letter to the parents, Alder Hey say they are opposing a proposed move to an Italian children's hospital - and applying to the High Court to switch off life support

  8. February 1 - High Court case begins

    Liverpool civil and family court is the venue as High Court judge Mr Justice Hayden hears evidence from lawyers and doctors on behalf of Alder Hey on Alfie's condition. Tom Evans speaks on behalf of Alfie and the family, along with mum Kate. There are emotional scenes as the hearing goes on for seven days.

  9. February 20 - Judge says life support should end

    Judge Mr Justice Hayden ruled that little Alfie's life support should not be continued, despite his parent's determination to move their son to another specialist children’s hospital in Italy to see if they can diagnose and treat his condition.

  10. Alfie's parents vow to fight decision

    Dad Tom: "My boy is strong, my boy is comfortable. This isn't over, this is just the start... I'm not giving up. My son ain't giving up."

  11. March 6 - Appeal fails

    Appeal Court judges uphold the decision but Mr Evans vows to fight this in the Supreme Court

  12. March 20 - Supreme Court refuses case

    Supreme Court justices refused to hear the case in London. On March 28 the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg also decline to look at the decision.

  13. April 11 - Date set for withdrawal of life support

    After the family and doctors fail to agree an end of life care plan for Alfie, the hospital are legally obliged to seek a date from the High Court for Alfie's life support to be withdrawn. Mr Justice Anthony Hayden sets a date and time - which cannot be reported for legal reasons.

  14. April 12 - Emergency order granted

    As hundreds gather outside the hospital to protest the decision, the court issues an emergency order paving the way for a further hearing at the Court of Appeal.

  15. April 16 - appeal denied

    Appeal Court justices rule against the parents at a Court of Appeal hearing. The family indicates they are set to seek to lodge further proceedings in the Supreme Court

  16. April 18 - Tom Evans meets Pope Francis

    Alfie's dad, Tom Evans, met Pope Francis at The Vatican in Rome to plead for help in his son's case.

    In a message believed to have been delivered to The Pope, he claimed that his son was 'not dying, and does not deserve to die.'

    He said: "Our child is sick, but not dying and does not deserve to die. He is not terminally ill nor diagnosed.

    "We have been trying our best to find out his condition to treat or manage it."

    "I am now here in front of your holiness to plea for asylum, our hospitals in the UK do not want to give disabled children the chance of life and instead the hospitals in the UK are now assisting death in children.

  17. April 20 - Supreme Court turns down appeal again

    Judges at the court, the highest court in the UK, rejected the family's legal team's request for permission to appeal there once more. A spokesperson for the Supreme Court said: "Having considered submissions from the parties 'on paper', in the usual way, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has refused permission for the parents to appeal."

  18. April 23 - European Court of Human Rights

    The European Court of Human Rights (EHCR) ruled that the family's latest appeal would be denied for a second time.

    In delivering the news, they said their case was 'inadmissable.'

    A statement read: "The European Court of Human Rights has today rejected the application submitted by the family of Alfie Evans as inadmissible."

  19. April 23 - Alfie granted Italian citizenship

    Alfie is granted Italian citizenship in a last-ditch attempt to move him to Rome.

    The Italian foreign office confirmed the seriously-ill youngster was granted citizenship in the hope he could be moved to Italy.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy announced they'd granted the 23-month-old citizenship after a conservative politician in the country petitioned them to do so.

  20. April 23 - 'Last-ditch' Alfie appeal dismissed by High Court judge

    A High Court judge dismisses a "last-ditch appeal" by Alfie's parents.

    Mr Justice Hayden considered a request from the little boy's parents Tom and Kate at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court late on Monday.

    Their appeal for a delay was refused by the judge who gave doctors the go-ahead to stop treatment and bring Alfie's life to an end.

  21. 9.17pm, April 23 - Ventilation is withdrawn but Alfie defies the odds

    Early the next morning Alfie's dad Tom tells TV cameras his son has been breathing unaided after his life-support was withdrawn.

    Speaking outside Alder Hey Hospital he told reporters his son was breathing by himself within minutes of the ventilation being taken away.

    He said: "It's actually come to the point where his mum is asleep next to him. She can actually go to sleep next to him. She feels comfortable with him."

  22. April 28 - Alfie Evans dies after long-running legal battle comes to an end

    The heartbroken family of Alfie Evans announced the 23-month old died after a long-running legal battle.

    On Facebook, dad Tom Evans wrote: "My gladiator lay down his shield and gained his wings... absolutely heartbroken."