Why are the “Tapas 9” key to solving the Madeleine mystery?
Kate and Gerry McCann were dining with seven British friends at a tapas
restaurant in the Ocean Club resort when Madeleine was reported missing. The
friends are crucial witnesses but have said very little publicly. Police
sources have claimed there are inconsistencies in their statements to
officers. The friends are Matthew and Rachael Oldfield, Russell O’Brien and
his partner Jane Tanner and David and Fiona Payne and her mother Dianne
Webster.
Did any of them see anyone taking Madeleine?
Jane Tanner told police that she saw a man walking away from the McCanns’
apartment at 9.15pm. Sources close to the couple have previously said that
the man had a child wrapped in the blanket and was walking in a southerly
direction. However, the London Evening Standard reported yesterday that Ms
Tanner had seen man carrying a girl dressed in Madeleine’s distinctive
pink-and-white pyjamas walking eastwards, towards the house of the official
suspect Robert Murat, 33.
Do police believe this was a man abducting Madeleine?
Detectives refused to publicise the sighting for three weeks. Another witness,
Jeremy Wilkins, is reported to have told police that he was in the area
talking to Mr McCann and did not see the mystery man.
Did anyone else in the Tapas 9 notice anything strange?
Matthew Oldfield said he had checked on the McCanns’ apartment at 9.30pm. A
source close to the McCanns had said he did not look into the bedroom where
Madeleine was sleeping with the two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie. But the
Evening Standard report claimed he saw the twins but did not have a view of
Madeleine’s bed.
Was there anything strange about the room after Madeleine disappeared?
Mrs McCann was sure Madeleine had been abducted because the bedroom window was
open and the security shutter was forced open, a source close to the family
has insisted. Tests on the shutter showed no sign of forced entry. However,
another friend claimed yesterday that the shutter had been left open.
When will the Portuguese courts decide what to do in the Madeleine case?
Pedro Daniel dos Anjos Frias, a criminal instructional judge in Portimão, has
decided that there is no need for the McCanns to be reinterviewed at this
point, hence the prosecutor’s statement last night. The threat of them
having to return to the Algarve in the near future has been lifted. The
judge must complete his rulings by today on a variety of issues. It is
believed that he has already authorised the use of Mrs McCann’s diaries as
evidence.
Could the couple still be charged soon?
Unlikely. LuÍs Armando Bilro Verão, the lead public prosecutor, must now
decide if there is sufficient evidence to bring charges against them, if he
needs to request the PolÍcia Judiciária to carry out further investigations
or if the case against them should be dropped.
Why is it all taking so long?
Portuguese detectives are still waiting for the results of tests on samples
being carried out by the Forensic Science Service laboratory in Birmingham.
They are also believed to want to carry out further searches in the Algarve
and possibly at the McCanns’ home.
So how long will the McCanns have to wait?
The couple can remain as arguidos, or official suspects, for eight
months before the Portuguese police have to apply for a four-month
extension. After this time they automatically cease to be suspects, but
there is no requirement for the prosecutor to clear them formally.
Robert Murat, a British self-employed property consultant on the Algarve and
the only other official suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance, has been an arguido
for four months.
Why has there been so much confusion?
Portugal’s strict laws of judicial secrecy mean that nobody involved in a
criminal investigation is allowed to reveal any of the evidence in the case.
However, Portuguese police sources are regularly quoted giving incriminating
details about the McCanns’ role in their daughter’s disappearance. Friends
of the couple have increasingly been attempting to challenge these reports
with their own interpretation of events. Both sides are actually breaking
the law and could face up to two years in jail.
Who is who in Team McCann
Clarence Mitchell
Former BBC journalist appointed on Monday as Kate and Gerry McCann’s official
spokesman. Represented them in May and June after being sent to Praia da Luz
by the Foreign and Commonwealth Offic
Michael Caplan, QC
One of few solicitors to be appointed QC, expert in extradition and
international criminal law. Prevented extradition to Spain of former Chilean
president General Augusto Pinochet
Angus McBride
Leading criminal solicitor with expertise in dealing with media and protecting
reputation of individuals subject to media or criminal investigation
Carlos Pinto de Abreu
One of Portugal’s best-known lawyers with reputation for taking on
controversial cases. Lodged McCanns’ libel action against Portuguese
newspaper which said they were police suspects
Esther McVey
Former GMTV presenter and Conservative parliamentary candidate, trustee and
spokeswoman for Madeleine Fund. Has known Mrs McCann since they did their A
levels together
Father Haynes Hubbard
Anglican priest at church of Nossa Senhora da Luz (Our Lady of the Light) in
Praia da Luz and his wife, Susan, have become close friends and confidants
of McCanns
Calum MacRae
18-year-old internet expert runs Find Madeleine website which has attracted
more than 400,000 unique users and helped to raise more than £1 million in
donations for campaign
Philomena McCann
Mr McCann’s sister, a headteacher, has been key family member to publicise
hunt for Madeleine and to defend her parents
Trish and Sandy Cameron
Mr McCann’s sister and brother-in-law have been frequent visitors to the
couple in Praia da Luz and Rothley. About 30 other relatives and friends
also visited them in Praia da Luz
Why are the McCann’s early television interviews being scrutinised?
Commentators have seized on the lack of emotion shown by Kate and Gerry McCann
during a series of televised statements and interviews in the weeks after
Madeleine’s disappearance. It is claimed that this was an unnatural response
and indicated that the couple were hiding something. In fact, criminal
profilers had advised them to display no overt emotion in case Madeleine’s
abductor “got off" on the sight of her parents in obvious
distress. Off camera, they were deeply distressed and received help from
counsellors.
How can the police establish Mrs McCann’s state of mind?
Prosecutors are reported to want access to Mrs McCann’s medical records to see
if there is any history of illness such as depression which could explain
why she would kill Madeleine. They are also said to want British police to
carry out investigations into the couple’s relationship and personal
history.
Could Mrs McCann’s handwriting be used as evidence?
A judge has authorised police to seize Mrs McCann’s diary and detectives want
a graphologist to study the handwriting, it was reported yesterday. Alberto
Vaz da Silva, a criminal psychologist and a handwriting expert, told the
newspaper 24 Horas: “It would be possible to discover the temper and the
character of the person in question. You can see if someone is lying or
hiding something.” However, handwriting evidence is usually used only for
forensic science purposes, not to determine a person’s emotional state.
Why could Mrs McCann’s newspaper interview lead to jail?
Mrs McCann could be prosecuted under Portugal’s laws of judicial secrecy for
telling the Sunday Mirror that police had seized her bible. She said: “One
of the pieces of evidence is that a page from a passage in Samuel about
having to tell a man his child is dead is crumpled - so I must have been
reading it.” The 24 Horas newspaper said that the public prosecutor could
accuse Mrs McCann of breaking the secrecy law, which carries a maximum two
years' jail sentence. Varradas Leitao, a member of the Superior Council of
the Ministerial Publico, said: “A witness or an arguida, the law is the same
for everybody. You cannot divulge procedural acts.”
What are the police doing to find Madeleine or her body?
Portuguese police are reported to be preparing for a new series of searches
using sniffer dogs and infra-red equipment in an area between Praia da Luz
and the village of Burgau, about two miles to the west. It has also been
suggested that they will search the church in Praia da Luz and the town of
Arao, where a big operation was carried out after an anonymous tip-off to a
Dutch newspaper.
Who is advising Kate and Gerry McCann?
British lawyers Michael Caplan, QC, an expert in international law, and Angus
McBride, a solicitor who specialises in protecting the reputation of
individuals subject to media or criminal investigation. They have also hired
a Portuguese lawyer, Carlos Pinto de Abreu, who filed the libel action
against a newspaper which said the police suspected them of involvement in
their daughter’s death.
How can the couple win the battle of public opinion?
Clarence Mitchell, 46, has been appointed as their official spokesman. He
resigned yesterday as head of the Government’s Media Monitoring Unit and had
previously been seconded to the Foreign Office to help the McCanns in the
weeks after Madeleine’s disappearance.
What can Mr Mitchell do to help the McCanns?
His job at the Cabinet Office has given him contacts among senior members of the
Government and Civil Service. He also has extensive contacts with
journalists in both Britain and Portugal and more than 20 years’ experience
as a reporter.
Are the McCanns paying for his services?
No. He has been employed by one of their wealthy backers and will continue to
work for that person after the Madeleine case is over.
What action will the police take this week?
Portuguese detectives are due to arrive in Leicester to work with a British
police team investigating Madeleine’s disappearance. It has been reported
that Kate McCann could be interviewed again this week. A Portuguese judge
must decide by Thursday whether to approve requests by Portuguese police to
secure more evidence.
Who’s advising British police on the case?
Tony Connell, a member of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special casework
unit, has been advising the “Gold Group” of senior detectives at
Leicestershire Police, which is investigating the Madeleine case. Mr Connell
led the review which led to the conviction of Damilola Taylor’s killers.
Could the McCanns be prosecuted in Britain?
It is possible to prosecute a British citizen for a murder or manslaughter
abroad under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. This was last done in
2005 when Christopher Newman was convicted at the Inner London Crown Court
of murdering Georgina Eager in Dublin.
Can the public support Kate and Gerry McCann’s legal battle?
A fighting fund to help to pay their legal costs is expected to be announced
within the next few days. A source close to the family told The Times: “It
will be getting set up and formalised as a proper fund. It has to be
meticulously thought through.”
Why is the McCanns’ hire car pivotal to the investigation?
Portuguese police claim they have found traces of Madeleine’s hair and bodily
fluid in the boot of the Renault Scenic, indicating that it was used to
transport Madeleine’s body after her death. Scientists have said that it
should be possible to establish whether the hair came from a dead or living
person.
Does this mean the scientific results hold the key to the case?
Not necessarily. Kate and Gerry McCann used the Budget rental car to move
apartments, taking with them all their children’s toys and clothing, which
would have contained large amounts of genetic material. It was also used by
friends, relatives and people who worked on the campaign to find their
daughter.
Where is the car now?
When the McCanns left Britain they drove the car to the airport. They have
since said they will hold on to the vehicle to get their own independent
scientific examinations done.
Under what circumstances was the car searched?
Police seized the car last month and took it to an underground car park
opposite their offices in Portimão. Police sources say this is an unusual
place to carry out such a delicate search.
Is there any other explanation about how the material could have got there?
If the DNA samples did come from Madeleine’s corpse it would seem an amazing
coincidence that the McCanns hired a car used by their daughter’s abductor
and killer. However, friends of the McCanns claim that the couple are being
framed. It has also been suggested that the samples may have been labelled
incorrectly.
Why do Portuguese police want to read Kate McCann’s personal diaries?
Detectives want to check for inconsistencies with the information previously
given to police and for clues about the personal relationship between Mrs
McCann, her husband and other members of the party who went with them to
Portugal. Mrs McCann was seen regularly writing several pages a day in the
diaries.
What evidence could be held on Gerry McCann’s laptop computer?
Mr McCann sent and received dozens of e-mails almost every day from friends
and people involved in the campaign to find his daughter. It may be possible
to retrieve those e-mails, which detectives hope could provide information
about the events surrounding Madeleine’s disappearance and the couple’s
connections with other people.
Why does a Portuguese judge need to authorise the seizure?
Portuguese police must get an authorisation from a judge to request items
which are abroad or to retain items taken without the owner’s permission. Mr
and Mrs McCann are believed to have taken most of the objects home to
Britain. There are also reports in Portugal that police seized a copy of Mrs
McCann’s diaries before the couple left the country to ensure they could not
be destroyed. A judge must be asked to authorise a seizure without the
owner’s consent within 24 hours.
Why didn’t the Portuguese police seize these items in Praia da Luz?
It may be that the items left Portugal some time ago when Mr or Mrs McCann
made previous trips to Britain, or a friend may have taken them. The couple
left the Algarve on Sunday morning at very short notice. They notified the
Portuguese authorities but perhaps police did not have the opportunity to
ask a judge to authorise the seizure of items without the couple’s consent.
Has the judge been asked to authorise any other seizures?
Portuguese papers reported yesterday that officers wanted to obtain
Madeleine’s favourite soft toy, which Mrs McCann took home. It is also
claimed that police seized the Renault hired by the McCanns 25 days after
Madeleine’s disappearance. The car contained samples of the girl’s hair and
“bodily fluids”.
What else has the judge been asked to do?
It has been reported that detectives want to search the church in Praia da Luz
where the couple regularly prayed after Madeleine disappeared. They would
only require an order from the judge if the priest or bishop in charge
refused to authorise the search. It has also been suggested that police want
to search a cemetery beside the church and to excavate roads where sewers
were being replaced at the time of Madeleine’s disappearance.
Who is revealing details about scientific evidence?
By law Portuguese police are prevented from revealing details of
investigations. However, some officers have been secretly briefing
Portuguese journalists.
What scientific evidence have police collected?
In a briefings on Monday night detectives said that they found traces of
“bodily fluids” in the car which had probably come from Madeleine with a
large amount of Madeleine’s hair in the boot of the car.
Why are the “bodily fluids” significant?
When pathologists refer to bodily fluids they usually mean the putrefying
substance created during the decomposition of a body tissue and blood. This
“fluid” is evidence that a corpse has been present, but DNA samples are
required to identify the body. It is unclear what “fluids” have been found.
It might be traces of urine, dried blood or vomit, which would not
conclusively prove Madeleine had died.
Does a large quantity of hair prove that Madeleine’s body was in the car?
No. The hair must show evidence that it came from a decomposing body. Other
hair could be “transmitted” from items of Madeleine’s clothing and
belongings.
Is anyone else confirming these reports?
Sources in Britain who are assisting the Portuguese investigation have agreed
that there is “significant” scientific evidence linking Mr and Mrs McCann to
their daughter’s death. However, Portuguese officers took the highly unusual
step of publicly denying a report which was allegedly based on sources in
Britain.
Does the scientific evidence prove that Madeleine was killed?
Because the samples have degraded over time the scientists can never be 100
per cent certain that they came from Madeleine.
What happened in the four hours before Madeleine was reported missing?
Kate and Gerry McCann claim that while they dined at a restaurant with friends
regular checks were made on Madeleine and their two-year-old twins, Sean and
Amelie, at their nearby holiday apartment. Mr McCann told police he saw his
daughter asleep at about 9pm. A friend, Matthew Oldfield, entered the
apartment at about 9.30pm but did not look in the bedroom Madeleine and the
twins were sharing.
It is not known if anyone apart from Mr and Mrs McCann saw Madeleine alive
between 6pm and 10pm, when she was reported missing by her mother. The
timing is crucial but would be only circumstantial evidence in any
prosecution. Although a small child could be killed quickly it would take
time to hide a body so that it was not discovered in the biggest search in
Portuguese history.
Why did Kate McCann cry out “They’ve taken her?” when she discovered
Madeleine missing?
Portuguese police are reported to find it suspicious that Mrs McCann
immediately believed that more than one person had taken her daughter. This
could suggest that she knew who had taken Madeleine, perhaps people who
thought they were helping Mrs McCann by removing her daughter’s body.
Alternatively, it could be an off-the-cuff remark by an hysterical mother or
perhaps was misheard or misunderstood in the confusion of the night.
What were the movements of the McCann’s friends on the night Madeleine
disappeared?
The McCann family had stayed at the Ocean Club resort with three other British
couples and their five children, and a single woman. Russell O’Brien, a
doctor from Exeter, left the restaurant for half an hour to look after his
own daughter, returning shortly before Madeleine was reported missing.
His wife, Jane Tanner, was the only witness to report a man carrying away
child from the McCann’s apartments. There is confusion about when members of
the party arrived at the tapas restaurant and left to check on their own
sleeping children.
How much alcohol did the McCanns and their friends drink on the evening
Madeleine disappeared?
Kate and Gerry McCann and their friends are reported to have told detectives
they shared four bottles of wine, with another two barely touched before
Madeleine was discovered missing.
However, it is claimed detectives have recovered a bill showing they downed
eight bottles of red wine and six white during the afternoon and evening.
Why was Madeleine’s bedroom window and shutter open?
Kate and Gerry McCann told police that the window shutter in Madeleine’s
bedroom, which could not been seen from the restaurant, had been forced
open.
Police tests showed the heavy metal shutter had not been forced up from the
outside, so must have been pulled open from inside the room. Assuming that
the abductor entered through the apartment’s unlocked patio windows, why
would he or she not leave by the same way or the use the front door?
Or was the window opened to make it appear as if an intruder had used it to
enter the bedroom?
Why did Madeleine’s sister and brother sleep through her “abduction”?
Sean and Amelie were heavy sleepers who were not disturbed by their sister’s
abduction, claim their parents. However, they also slept through their
mother’s hysterical response to Madeleine’s disappearance and the presence
of dozens of people who joined the search before being carried out by a
female police officer. Kate and Gerry McCann have strenuously denied
sedating their daughter.
Why were the McCanns allowed to leave Portugal if they are suspects?
The Portuguese authorities allowed the McCanns to return to the UK after they
agreed to reside only at their home in Rothley and to return for further
questioning if necessary.
Portuguese law states that after someone is declared a suspect, police have
eight months to conclude the investigation into that individual. If they
require further time officers can apply to the courts for a four-month
extension.
If the McCanns refused to comply with a request to return to the Algarve for
interview, Portuguese police could issue a European Arrest Warrant under
which extradition can be carried out within six weeks.
Why has it taken so long to find the evidence that could implicate Kate and
Gerry McCann?
The material was only collected at the end of July and early August in a
review of the investigation carried out by Portuguese detectives with the
help of British police and two sniffer dogs. Many of the samples are very
small, containing just a few cells, while others are of poor quality because
of damage by cleaning or simply the passing of time.
A full report of the findings will not be ready for weeks, but many results
have already been passed to the Portuguese authorities.
What evidence were police looking for?
Detectives are searching for any evidence that proves Madeleine is dead or
contradicts the accounts of Mr and Mrs McCann and other witnesses.
What is the most important forensic evidence?
It appears the Forensic Science Service believes it has discovered compelling
new evidence, possibly from more than one source. Portuguese detectives told
Mrs McCann repeatedly that they found traces of Madeleine’s blood in a
Renault Scenic hired three weeks after she disappeared, suggesting that the
missing girl’s parents used the vehicle to carry her body. It is possible to
tell if the blood came from a living person or from a corpse, and even the
time of death. However, some reports suggest that the quality of the blood
sample was too poor to confirm the origin while others have denied any blood
was found in the vehicle and claim it was other “bodily fluids”. Unless a
body had been placed in a freezer, it would have badly decomposed during the
warm weather; leaving a mass of traces invisible to the human eye.
Does any trace of Madeleine in the hire car prove she was killed?
No. Mr and Mrs McCann hired the car to buy new clothes in the town of Portimão
a day before they flew to Rome to see Pope Benedict XVI. They then used it
regularly for family outings and to collect friends and relatives from Faro
airport. They continued using the car until shortly before flying home
yesterday. Kate and Gerry and their two-year-old twins would have often
carried in the car items used by Madeleine. These items could easily
certainly carry Madeleine’s hair and minute traces of skin, dried blood,
saliva and vomit. The same could be said of the holiday apartments used by
the McCanns and their friends in the Ocean Club resort. However, if the
blood came from Madeleine’s corpse the only other highly unlikely
explanation would be that a previous hirer had moved the body.
One report suggested yesterday that Madeleine’s DNA had been found on the
floor of the McCanns holiday apartment, but because of degredation it was
based on an incomplete picture, with only 15 of the 20 genetic markers
usually used for such analysis.
What is the DNA evidence that has supposedly been found by the Portuguese
investigators?
Newspapers in Portugal have been reporting that “biological fluids” with an 80
per cent match to Madeleine’s DNA have been found underneath upholstery in
the boot of the McCanns’ rented Renault Scenic. Some media reports claimed
that another DNA sample with a 100 per cent match to that of Madeleine’s
profile had been found in the car.
What would this tell us?
Perhaps nothing. If it was sourced from something such as a hair follicle or
skin cells then that could have been one of Madeleine’s hairs that had stuck
to the clothes of a family member or her “cuddle cat” toy that her mother
carries. If it was from Madeleine’s blood or corpse, that could be more
significant. The most important issue is the size of the sample found. If
there was a substantial amount of material it is unlikely to be from
accidental contamination and would indicate that Madeleine had been in the
car.
Can investigators establish if the DNA sample comes from someone who was
alive or dead?
Unlikely, according to British experts. A DNA profile does not change just
because someone dies. You can tell if DNA has degraded but that can happen
if, for example, it had been exposed to sunshine.
Does an 80 per cent match with biological fluids indicate that Madeleine
was definitely in the car?
No. The sample will have been tested against a definite sample of Madeleine’s.
A 80 per cent match indicates that profilers could find only 16 of the 20
markers usually used for such analysis and suggests that the biological
traces are tiny and degraded. Additionally, the twins Sean and Amelie could
share a high percentage of DNA characteristics as most siblings do.
What complicates the matter further is that all three of the McCanns’ children
were born through IVF and it is unknown whether the couple’s sperm and eggs
were used for conception.
What about the discoveries of the “cadaver” sniffer dog?
Mr and Mrs McCann were shown a police video of a sniffer dog used to find
corpses “going crazy” when it approached the hire car. Reports also claim
that is discovered the scent on the vehicle’s key fob. Mrs McCann is
reported to have explained that in her work as locum GP she came into
contact with six corpses in the weeks leading up to Algarve holiday.
This seems a high number for a locum GP working just a couple of days a week
but would be easy to check against surgery records.
The crucial difficulty with the sniffer dog “evidence” is that it cannot
distinguish between corpses. This type of dog is trained to find bodies, not
identify where dead bodies have been. Crucially, they can become excited by
other scents.
Any evidence of Madeleine’s death on Cuddle Cat?
The cadaver dog is alleged to have become excited when shown Madeleine’s
favourite soft pink toy, called Cuddle Cat. The cat had become poignant
symbol of a mother’s loss as Kate McCann carried it with her at all time
from the night of Madeleine’s disappearance.
She washed it four days after the police tests, claiming it had become dirty.
The toy was potentially crucial evidence and should have been seized by
police very early in the investigation.
What evidence can be found in Mrs McCann’s Bible?
Mrs McCann, a devout Roman Catholic, claims that police told her that a
crumpled page in her Bible was evidence that she was involved in the death
of her daughter. The page contained a passage from Samuel II, chapter 12,
verses 15-19, which recalls how man’s child is stricken with illness after
he “scorns” the Lord.
The man fasts for seven days, refusing to get up off the ground, to try to
gain redemption — but eventually his child dies. Mrs McCann claims that
detectives told her that damage to the page proved she had been reading it.
Why are the McCanns suspects in their daughter’s killing?
Portuguese police refuse to say why the couple have been made official
suspects. Under Portuguese law police can not question someone as if they
had committed a crime unless they are a “suspect”. It could simply be that
police wanted to ask the couple about the evidence they had collected, and
that the seriousness of the process has been misunderstood and exaggerated
by cultural and language differences. The McCanns believed that they were
about to be charged with Madeleine’s death, but it does not appear police
disclosed any crucial evidence to them.
All parties have strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
i think that it will all come out at the end of the day i amm studing forensic science at college and am off to uni in sept 09 . nick i think here needs to be evidence before you can reconstuct a crime scene.
helen , havant, uk
Mrs. McCann washed her daughter's Cuddle Cat? If I lost my child, I wouldn't want to wash their precious things, esp. at that age when children have such a sweet smell. Not until their scent goes away completely, would I ever consider washing the item. And there's no way I'd let it get dirty.
Gina, Kailua, U.S.
if people aree seiing madeling
whyy dont they say somthing
i just dont understand?
chloee, newzealend,
I don't think the McCann's have cleared their names yet. I think they and their friends should be delighted to be returning to Portugal for a reconstruction. This is another opportunity to clear names and produce potential new evidence to find the perpetrators of this crime.
So, why not return?
Nick, Darlington, UK
I don't think they did it, but I'll accept the verdict of a Portugese court if it gets that far. I hope it doesn't. If it does, I don't see how any present evidence stacks up to a conviction. But should the worst happen? Portugal is a far more fit and proper system than many we extradite to.
Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales
I was wondering if everyone they came in contact with.. airport security, others in restaurants, shops, etc., had been questioned. I feel that they were targeted and someone had been watching them for quite awhile. I think it important to totally retrace their steps upon arrival in Portugal .
rita weyls, n ridgeville, usa
Well it has been a sad time for the McCanns to know that there wonderful daughter was stolen from them so suddenly. It was unfair for them to pass through such a hard moment that no other mother and father would want to pass through. Well it isn't over lets pray Madeleine is still alive.
Katie, Monrovia, California
kate and gerry mccann shouldn't of left madeleine and her brother and sister alone and this would have never happen and they will still had madeleine with them to i will send my love to them to hope madeleine is return safe and well
Natalie russell, croydon, england
The child is missing and that is a fact.. If only is always on their minds.. The friends have confusing messages about their roles in this... Did anyone out there want to tease the McCann's and hide the child making them upset about leaving Madeleine alone? then it all went wrong?
Sarah, Reading, Berkshire
This is the second time I have written a comment. I am amazed at the vitrolic attacks on the McCanns. When is a person innocent until proved guilty? My heart goes out to them in these most awful times.
Pa
Pamela, Harrow, UK
both parents should be delt with for neglect of three young children, what sort of parents are they to leave such young children alone in another country, discrace to call yourselves parents
neil, barnsley , yorkshire. uk
when will the mccann's take the responsibily for their child going missing, if they carried out their responsibility as a parent they would not have left them in the apartment alone in the first place.
w.harris, llanelli, uk
its odd because the last issues does not include obtaining a complete staff list and in vestigating all staff 2 be onist think the parents had something to do with it they didnt seem upset or nothing but why maddie not one of the twins it seems weried
sarah , stafford, england
All these news paper articles about the mc canns being paid for movie deal and tv interviews in america are quite alarming as i am sure no parent would financially benefit for the loss of a child. It is a very confusing case and as there are no real clues proving one way or the other that maddie is dead or alive we have to believe she is alive some where and just hope that soon enough she will be returned safetly. In my opinion the only thing that matters is the safe return of a precious little girl who must be missing her family. I truly hope that all the articles i read about these deals are not true as i am sure they are not and send my best wishes the the mc cann family.
lynne, preston, lancashire
Since the start of the investigation there has been a complete lack of information about the movements and inquiries carried out by Portuguese police. Whether this is because of the secrecy law in enforcement, in order to aid their investigation or because the police have a lack of information themselves, we don't know. But the fact that the case was handled so haphazardly in its early stages by Portuguese detectives suggests they do in fact have a lack of information. The inexperience of the Portuguese police force ensured that the initial stages of investigation were almost useless. And here we are, almost eight months into the investigation and are nowhere closer to finding Madeleine or arresting her murderer/captor. We don’t even know if she is alive!!! It is unlikely that any further inquiries will shed any light onto the investigation as all the trails have gone cold. If we were to have any chance in rescuing Madeleine, we should have been at this stage eight months ago.
Adham Hussein, Cairo, Egypt
It seems odd that the list of issues does not include obtaining a complete staff list and investigating all staff, and obvious initial investigation point.
Emma H., Ottawa,
Why did Kate McCann refuse to answer Portuguese Police questions?
Why did Mr. McCann say he could see the apartment from the Tapas bar when he could not?
Why did they both claim an abduction immediately given that the door and window was open - surely the child could have wandered off?
Note that statistics clearly show that most children that are abused and so on are abused and so on by parents.
Why are some people blindly supporting them? Are they connected to them and are email bombing sites using different names? In theory is that possible?
Tracy Hill, Bolton, England
i just want to say that in a case like this no one can be ruled out, we live in a strange and wicked world where a lot of human actions cannot be explained. I dobelieve we will be perplexed at the outcome of this story and i know its only a matter of time, the truth will out!!!
temi, aberdeen, scotland
After reading all your expose,and having listened to the Radio,Television etc, and being a Grandfather, this is what I can summarize so far, Logically there are Four posibilites 1that she was kidnapped 2 she was abducted for a Childless candidate 3 she was taken by a Perverted Moron, 4 or that she,s being held Captive. Now if we are dealing with murder, as well we might, then logic reasoning and fact must all contribute much like a jigsaw, which some of your commentators seem to think the Police, just hammer into position,which is insatiable tripe. As R. Kipling wrote I Know of six wise men, that have taught me everything that I ever needed to Know, WHO,WHAT,WHY,WHERE.WHEN and HOW. So When was she last seen alive ? apart from the Parents the day before ? or the same day ? When was she last seen with the Whole family together ? these sorts of questions only the Police and Procecutors are authorized to ask in the most sensitive and considerate manner imaginable, this is their job.
G.D.Flynn, Roterdam, K.R. Nederlands
We all do strange things at times of trauma and anguish. What makes my blood run cold is the cadava dogs excitement, when people are dying some dogs will howl, it could be God forbid that those dogs have picked up on something that is more in the supernatural realm. what type of a person would see a man wandering with a child wrapped in a bed roll hurriedly and not make a stir amongst others immediately and report it? If somebody had come to me straight away knowing children were unattended my blood would run cold and I would bolt to their room. Robert Murat although appearing overly helpful is far too secretive and solitary. His ex wife never really knew what he was up to half the time. This upsets me I hoped Maddie would still be alive.
anita pennell, darlington , united kingdom
I think the latest revelations from their friends are very damaging and make them look more guilty and are trying to provide them with an alibi - if Ms Tanner saw all this stuff why has it taken her over 6 months to come forward???
Andy, Liverpool,
Look this is a very sad situation, it really is, but I looked at the "find Maddie" website, and was amazed to discover an "online shop" WHY??? The mccanns seem to have turned this tragic event into a marketing ploy. Do we really need to purchase all manner of Maddie items. Finally, people may not agree with me, but Little Maddie should never never have been left alone, under any circumstances. I feel for these poor people, but that is just my oppinion.
Jeremy Newman, LEEDS, UK
I find it very strange that Mrs McCann washed the cuddle cat. I do realise she might not want it to look too dirty on television and on photos, but she being an intelligent person should have known better. I mean that, if she claims the cat was taken by the abductor and put onto a shelf, she would then understand it could contain vital proof of DNA of the abductor. Why didn't she simply give it to the police? And, further more, why did the police not take it? Because they thought Madeleine had just wandered off and would return by herself?
Lisa, Huddinge, Sweden
I try to belive she is fine, and well,but is so ward to think how she's missing ,why just her because the brother and sister sleep through and the same bed ,i now its not easy .But the truth will be know anyone can see but God see everything if someone is lying or hiding something.Don't give up!!!
Renata Gomes, BH Minas Gerais, Brasil
Nobody knows what happened to this lovely little girl. We should not judge because we just don't know. There is no real evidence that shows us what happened to her. The evidence is all circumstantial.I just hope she is alive and well somewhere. I can't help but wonder out of all those supposed sightings of Madeleine, why did someone not go up and look in the childs eyes, then they would have known whether it was Madeleine or not.
Claire, Belfast, Northern Ireland
It's not our place to judge how one should react in such a situation. Where is your heart? There's no book that says if something happens you your child this is how you should behave. People handle situations in different ways and it's not our place to judge. Haven't you heard that you can't believe everything you read. The media isn't helping things at all. I'm a mother of 4 and I sit back and listen to all of you being so cruel to these parents. I just hope that the day comes when we find out what happened to this beautiful little girl and I feel in my heart that you will eat your hurtful words. If the McCanns are reading this, please know that not everyone in this world is so judgemental and that my heart goes out to you both for all that you must be going through. I can't imagine and I just pray that I don't ever have to find out. I will keep praying for you both and I hope that Madeleine will be found alive and well. The truth will be known. Don't give up. God Bless You!
Priscillia Dennis, Creedmoor, North Carolina, USA
The McCanns have not been charged with any offence against which there is need to defend them. Sensible people know this!
D M Cumbria
D Mary McCormack, Carlisle , England
I'm with Ian from new York on this. YOU ARE ALL NASTY DESPICABLE people to be like this about this poor couple who have LOST THEIR DAUGHTER! Hello, are any of you parents out there?? It's heart wrenchingly awful and I feel sick for them So this bile and spew that comes out of stupid, uneductaed narrow minded people about how they must be guilty is a pathetic reminder that our contry is full of stupid mean people. My heart goes out to Gerry and Kate McCann. You "horrid" people should perhaps focus your negative nasty energy on the sick child abuser who abducted her. ome on, the police must have a list of these types living in the area. This really mnakes me sick.
sasha ozmen, London, England
You're all horrid. The police in Portugal have been horrid (I mean seriously, they want the girl's favorite soft toy and her mother's Bible? Disgusting!) and the public has been even worse. So yes, argue whether you think the little girl is alive, argue whether you think she is still in Portugal, argue whether you think her own mother did it, I hope it makes you feel better. Don't stop at all to think what all the discussion could do to the people who are actually involved, what does that matter?
Ian, New York, USA
Who had access to the hire car, when all the eyes of the world were watching the McCann's meeting the Pope?
Dave, South Wales, UK
I have friends who went to the exact same Holiday Apartments a few years ago and they did exactly the same with their children. Their whole group did. It seems, as they tell it, that it was a perfectly acceptable and done by many. I live in "crime ridde" South Africa and we often leave our children asleep at holiday resorts and they have people walking around listening for noises etc and they then alert the parents.
jean, Durban,
I would like to say, like millions i have followed this case from day 1, Dont believe all what the papers say for a start as alot of what they say is fabricated to sell papers, this is going of past experience.
This is frustrating for me as right from the begining before it came out in the papers mum and i spent alot of time speculating as to whether the McCanns were acturally involved in some way regarding the disapperance of Maddy.
When something like this happens you usually find that the people involved are very close to home. But on the other hand they have put up one hell of a front infront of millions of people.
I think that the police are closer to finding out the truth than we know. I dont think Maddy is alive, no matter who did what. Cos of the media coverage, she would of been taken underground, and no one would be stupid enough to keep hold of her dead or alive too much is at stake for the offender. So stop looking for maddie abroad, i think shes in Portugal still.
Dawn, Warrington,
The Portuguese PJ (Policia Judiciaria) has been considered the best criminal police in the world last year, so let’s wait and pray for madeleine!
Maria, Coimbra,
Hang on now - "leaving 3 babies sleeping alone in an apartment" - this smacks of a witch hunt. When you are in your own home, how often do you check that your children are still there in their beds? - I never did with mine, unless they woke up, which wasn't often - my kids would certainly have slept through a noisy party once they were asleep!
Weren't the parents only supposed to be about 50 yards away? - ie no different from sitting in the garden if you live in the country & have a garden. And with the windows open probably more audibility than if the parents were in the living room in the same house but with doors & windows shut. Whether the parents were downstairs, in the house next door or in the street outside would have made little difference - & this certainly doesn't qualify as neglect.
Heather, Croydon, England
So many children go missing every month all over the world. What about those children? The whole thing stinks how a rich couple who neglect their children get so much attention and money! Friends in high places to protect them and a PR campaign to smoke screen the initial neglect. Lack of emotion from the parents and scientific evidence that is very suspicious for the parents. With so much publicity about this it seems impossible that noone would have come forward by now if the girl was still alive or if she had been abducted. Time to give the money back or use it to help other less well off parents find their missing children. As for the Police trying to frame the McCanns... get a life.. this claim in itself makes me suspicous of the parents. Take a lie detector test or have a psychic look into the case if you are not afraid of what might be found out! This whole thing is turning into a circus now and getting very boring. No more sympathy for parents just the little girl...
M Mills, London,
I hope maddy is found safe
and brought home
i give kate and gerry all sympathy
dont give up
carry on lookin
xxxxxxxxxx
aimee, halifax, england
I think this article was very well directed. Given all the various stories that have arisen (fictional or not). However, if Jane Tanner says she saw "man with child" then I would hope that under hypnosis this ladies sighting was gone into more detail. If a man was carrying a body a vehicle would have been waiting or parked nearby as this would have enabled an easier and quicker getaway. Also it would have been a strange sighting and did she not say anything at the Tapas Bar that evening. I hope this avenue is given more credence.
Janet, Bacup, England
IF EVENTUALLY madeline is returned safe and well, the public will be perfectly justified in asking a great many questions, not only about police procedure and the so called leaking of information to the media, but also about the way these cases are to be presented in the future and whether it is acceptable to play out scenario's of this kind on a public stage.
the little girl is still missing, I would like to think the search continues.
T Birks, Vendome, France
Surely they must have Madeline's DNA from her hairbrush or other source from back in the UK ? So we ought to know exactly what her DNA is, irrespective of whether her parents are non, partly or fully biological. This clutching at straws involving "psychics" is a sad comment on the gullibilty of the desperate.
Jan, Auckland, New Zealand
I think of Madeleine every day. I feel sadness for her as she much be so afraid and lonely. She is such a beautiful girl who should be feeling the love of her mother, father, brother and sister right now. I am also confused about every aspect of this situation and can only pray that she is still alive out there somewhere and that in time she will be found. Any other thought at this moment is too painful. God be with you Madeleine and I will never stop praying for you. Gerry and Kate Never Stop looking for your daughter Maddy.
Noreen, Laois, Ireland
I want to say that this all story verry similar to Lithuanian family when mother killed ( in this year)her two sons and told that someboday steal ,all bahavior verry similar, but I am as mother who losed child can say for me very strange Mrs MacCann behavior ...
Irena, London, UK
I am so confused with all the events of Maddy - my only hope and concerns at the moment are with Maddy please may she be found........
vesta, torquay, devon
i wish maddie was never tken sh lokks like such a happy little kid pleas keep searching for her dont stop and if any1 has got her reading this then take her to a safe place back to Kate and Grry all the best to Kate and Gerry dnt stop looking.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Tasha...Jenkins....., portalbot, sandfeilds
Yes I agree with Sunshine in Perth, I too would search every avenue possible and yes I would use the psychics.. even if it were against my religion.....the most important thing to me would indeed be the recovery of my child. I would have insisted that both myself and my husband took the lie detector test also, in full public view ..knowing my innocense would pull me through...because I'm sceptical too about the lack of emotion shown by both parents in this matter...I have read they were advised not to show emotion.. but hey!...were does a mothers love show....in her heart and in her actions ... the best paid actors in the world would have difficulty here....I pray I'm wrong and little Madeline is still alive....I think about her every day....and no my husband and I were not among those who left their children alone while we went out to drink...when we went on holiday our children went with us everywhere...too many coincidences... too many lies...where is the truth!.Madeline God Bless x
June Wray, DURHAM, ENGLAND
The Spirit of the Lord is upon you Madeleine, my God Himself has anointed you. Where ever you are - i cover you with the precious blood of Jesus Christ from the crown of your head to the souls of your feet. I claim you, Madeleine, for a safe and speedy comeback, in the name of Jesus.Amen.
Louisa, Baroda, India - Gujarat
For so many months I have been following this story and wondering...can a human mind be so genius that it is able to defy corps, detectives, and intelligence agencies. Whatever is going on...it's the most toughest time for the McCann family..I don't know them but I feel connected to them in someways.. Iam praying everyday that we can get Maddy back as soon as possible. GOD BLESS YOU..
Akanksha Saraswat, Ahmedabad, India
Perhaps the only way to seek the truth is by asking world renowned psychics? If this were my child, instead of website blogging and attending concerts, I would be asking John Edward, Sylvia Browne and the psychics used by US and UK Police Forces who took my child, where is their body and how can I get them back!!!! If it was my child, I would try these avenues as they have proven time and time again how accurate they are and indeed, have been used to find missing children and solve murder investigations. I pray that young Madeleine is found alive... safe and in good health.
Sunshine, Perth, Australia
Please lets not forget that no one really knows what has happened to Madeleine, so please, everyone, lets continue to pray for her. No matter where she is, this little girl has been through so much and could use all of our love, support, and prayers. So, if you all care for Maddie like you say that you do, lets not start hurtful rumors when we could be praying for Madeleine. Let's not forget the whole reason why we read about her, we all care about her and want to see her safe return. Thank You. Madeleine, you are always in my thoughts and prayers and you will be in my heart forever. No matter where you are, I hope you are found safe soon!
Alexandra Lynn Barger, Petersburg, Wv, USA
Having recently been on holiday in Portugal, I would like to point out that the shutters on the windows of the apartment were similar to the one on the villa we stayed in. (These were shown on t.v. recently.) The shutters are not as we generally know them (i.e. French style shutters which open and close outwards and inwards.) They are roller shutters which slide upwards and downwards, and they do not have locks on them. We were concerned about the safety of our grandchildren, who like to sleep with the windows open. We found that the roller shutters can easily be pushed up from the outside, and did not require any force at all to move them. Needless to say we made our grandchildren sleep with the windows firmly closed.
So Mrs McCann was right the abductor could have got in that way very easily.
Ray Mitcham , Southport, Merseyside
I would obviously like to see the safe return of Madeleine. However, charges should be made as regard to leaving 3 babies sleeping alone in an apartment. This should also extend to the friends who also left their children alone whilst out enjoying themselves. They are professional people who are more than able to pay for the babysitting service that this complex has to offer. The "Tapas 7" are all keeping schtum. I have a feeling there is more to this than meets the eye. There are too many unanswered questions.
Jen, Glasgow, UK
I see many similarities with the Jon Benet Ramsey case in the U.S...bungled crime scene investigation, well-respected parents coming under suspicion, questions regarding the parent's partying the night before the child dies/disappears, media blaming the parents...but so far, Maddie hasn't been found dead or alive...British and Portuguese authorities need to focus on FINDING Maddie...any criminal prosecution can take place after she's found...hopefully, alive.
Karen, Tennessee, USA
To The McCanns: Since the news of your precious child Madeline being missing, my heart has been sickened. Every day I pray to God that he will show the way for her to reappear and or that someone will find her so that she can be reunited with her family. I feel empathy for you both and the siblings. Being blessed with a four year old grand-daughter, I just cannot imagine what it would be like without her. All I can do is pray for little Madeline to come back home and keep the both of you in my heart.
T.Leigh Wallace, HIGH POINT, NC,USA
As a response to Lorna, Wokingham, England
".... . The McCanns are lucky that they were not arrested when they returned to the UK for leaving 3 under 5's alone. There plan to 'mind' them from the restaurant has proved not to work."
Can we hear from parents who have previously stayed at that resort. We stayed there but that was 20 years ago and we were lucky enough to have our friend and baby sitter with us.
This was also meant to be a holiday for 2 hard working parents and I can assure you that when Madeleine is restored to them, social workers will worry that they are being "over anxious".
I am sure that most (all) parents, how ever careful and responsible they are have a feeling of "there but for fortune ..."
Kate and Gerry my hope and my sympathy are with you.
Liz, Maldon, Essex,
Why did Kate McCann cry out “They’ve taken her?†when she discovered Madeleine missing?
Why 'her', not'Madeleine'? They do have another daughter, yery Gerry McCann and the friends seem to have known who she was referring to.
Maria, Glasgow, Scotland
I've been trying to follow the M'Cann case, With all hope that from the beginning the little girl would be found.
We're all so tied up in what the Algarve goverment has to say,l because it is so diffrent than that of our own, We're comming to outragous solutions.
We've never heard such storey kine of "Who rented the hire car before the Mcann Family?"
It's turley hard to belive that someone could kill their own flesh & blood.
But I guess, it sometimes happens.
I guess, all we can do is pray that she might be alive, Or that her killers are found and procecuted.
Joanna, manchester, Lancashire
I do agree with a great many of the comments. I too feel very sorry for the McCanns, but my patience is fast running out, as it is becoming more like a soap everyday.
I too can't understand why a lie detector is not used to help to find out whether Kate and Gerry are telling the truth or not.
I don't think all the donations are going to help bring back Maddie. I think that all the media should stop and the police both in Portugal and Britain should be allowed to get on with the investigation. If Maddie is to be found, it is more likely to happen if it is not broadcast every day.
sarah, Cupar, Scotland
....because finding Madeleine is the inperative here and I feel that the focus of the investigation is being lost. I am also disgusted that Portugal, Spain and other counrtries don't have a sex ofenders register but am enlightened by the work of the American organisation who has managed to retrieve 86% of children who were deemed missing. I hope that Madeleine can be another.
Frances Boyd-Hill, Hartlepool, England
one question hasn't been asked... can the McCann's be compelled (here in Britain) to answer the 40 questions that they refused to answer when interviewed by the police in Portugal?
ed bradbury, bournemouth, dorset
Regarding McCanns statement of going to a local tip to dispose of rotten food & nappies.
I have been to the Algarve many times.Communual waste bins are everywhere never more than 2-3 hundred yards apart and they are emptied at least once a day, often twice.
No one would have a need to go to the local tip, indeed as a tourist who would know where the tip was?
Mike, colchester, uk
I have tried to write but it doesn't seem to go through------BUT I do wish to say THANK YOU to Jaydn of USA for your thoughts and prayers for Madeline - Your thoughts and prayers are well said - I follow you completely.
doreen Loucks, brockville ontario, canada
If this happened in Britain to a foreign family having a holiday here the British public would be breaking our force & making these parent as suspects. This is because our British people like to back up they own without knowing the facts of the case. From what has come out the parents have played some kind of a role in this little girls disapearance. Even if the parents are not gulity of killing little Maddie, they are on the same level as the person who abducted her and should be punished for neglecting their daughter and breaking the portuguese law e.g, neglecting children and secretcy law. The portuguese police/authories are doing they very best in this case & please appreaciate they efforts. There were false leads in the case, thats because the McCanns and they friends statement are inconsistant.
People are saying they are doctors, they are professional people why would they do such a thing? Well a doctor would be the 1st to report to social service for irresponsible behaviour.
S Singh, Preston, UK
The only criminals I can see are the people leaking information and the people pointing fingers before a trial.
aregan, sheffield, uk
Clearly the implication of the McCanns has been fueled by speculation and there is no way at the current state of affairs their involvement could be proved. However let's remember that it has been the British media/public who have from the very first day put the Portuguese police in a corner with unfair suspicion on their ability to deal with the case. They certainly lacked the cutting edge expertise but they have tried their best in such a complex case. I remember one Portuguese reporter when interviewed by a British counterpart just one or two days of the disappearance noting that this type of case was very rare in Portugal and that clearly the Police was by no stretch of imagination up to scratch to handle it. However, even in the UK where these cases occur week in week out many of them remain unsolved. Let's be patient, fair and keep an open mind. Otherwise we risk judging the McCanns, and indeed the Portuguese police, on the basis of very circumstancial evidence.
Marcio Aquino, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
It seems like all of the "evidence" is completely circumstantial. No one seems sure of anything. I know the Mccann's must have been terrified that based of this "evidence" they could possibly be jailed for something they didn't do. It was best to get out of Portugal and get their own lawyers around them. I have always had a gut feeling that Maddie is nearby, being held right under everyone's nose. I wish the authorities would have the right to simply check each and every home, building, basement, that they possibly could. All around the world, people are kidnapped and held, even in make-shift underground "bunkers" of a crude sort, or hidden in a closet some hundred yards from their own home, the abductor able to hear the search going on around him. This case haunts me, and I am so worried about Maddie. Everyone needs to pray daily for her return. If she is gone, she is with the Lord and happy. If she is still here, that's what we have to worry about. Please just pray!
Jadyn , USA,
why is it just the mccanns who are been investigated when they shared the apartment with their friends.
donna, bramley leeds, england
Unless we have had a child we love stolen I don't see how we can speculate on how we would act - maybe we would displace our feelings into doing our makeup meticulously or maybe we would fall to pieces in public - how can we possibly know and judge?
If the McCanns are innocent they have gone through the most horrible emotional torture I can imagine and the search for Madeleine's has lost precious time. Surely it is best to err on the side of supporting them lest we find Madeleine and they are unable to care for her because they have both had mental breakdowns.
Julia, Leeds, UK
Julia, Leeds, UK
Would Kate McCann as a devout Roman Catholic given the truly once-in-a-lietime opportunity really stand in front of the Pope, look him in the eye and lie ? I doubt it.
Claire, leeds, U.K
Priscilla London uk I think you should read all the evidence
again and you may see it stinks.
Eunice, Lancs, U/K
I am also following this story because IN teh beginning I really believed that Madeleine would be found. Now I do not now what to think but I have also many questions, this case is really a mistery. As other people here wonder...
WHO RENTED BEFORE MADDIE'S PARENTS THIS CAR WHERE SO MUCH EVIDENCE WAS FOUND????? Maybe someone has set up al those evidence against them in purpose??? It is just hard to believe that they could accidentally kill their own daughter, covered up creating such media attention, moving the world searching for Madeleine!!!!
Ines, Reutlingen, Germany
Why didn't the friend at the dinner party alert the others when she saw a man carrying a child in a blanket? Surely that would have been the obvious thing to do when she knew that the children were alone in the apartment/
col, limassol, Cyprus
Since 3rd May, I have never for one second doubted the innocence of Kate or Gerry. Like many, I am appalled by some of the irrational attacks the McCann's have had to suffer and suspect that there is an attempt being made to frame them. As mentioned by a few other contributors, I find it very bizarre that there has not been any mention in the media of whether any investigation has been undertaken in respect of other persons that hired the car prior to the McCann's. I was delighted to hear today that Richard Branson has announced he is instrumental in setting up a fighting fund to pay for any legal costs. Hopefully with someone of his stature lending support, will assist in turning the tide of public support back to Kate and Gerry where it wholeheartedly belongs.
Finally, I too have a good feeling that Madeleine is still alive and hope and pray that she will soon be found.
Terry Waller, Uckfield, UK
I don't understand why some people are defending the McCanns with such anger, as if there is something morally wrong with even accusing them, no matter what the evidence may be. The Portuguese police seem to believe there are enough grounds to suspect them. Reading this Times article certainly confirms that feeling in my mind. But maybe they'll turn out to be entirely innocent. We just don't know, do we? It's bizarre that some people are saying they MUST be innocent, almost as an article of faith. And some of the comments about Portuguese police are pretty racist. At least they don't shoot dead Brazilian tourists just because they are wearing a rucksack.
Paul Davies, Oxford, Oxfordshire
You know what they say about chickens coming home to roost!
When it comes out, and I am pretty sure it will, there will be an awful lot of high profile people with egg on their faces.
Wilson, Bradford, United Kingdom
I hope the little girl is still alive and the parents are innocent.
But could this have been a normal event that turned horrific?Could the McCanns have accidently overdosed the child?
If the child has died then there are more than 2 people involved.
Correct the McCanns could not have removed the body so quickly ,so just my opinion and only my opinion that someone else might also be involved???
Matt , Dubai, UAE
Innocent until proven guilty and lets pray for a safe return.However far greater religious people including priests and nuns have been harming children for decades,and visiting chapels far more often than the mccanns taboot.
raye, harrogate, uk
A young girl is abducted from her hotel room whilst her parents are out enjoying themselves. The girl is sleeping in the same room as her twin siblings. The child apparently makes no sound during the abduction and neither do her siblings, and there is no sign of a struggle. Some evidence of a contrived break-in. A busy resort, and in Portugal 9 to 10 pm is still a lively part of the day, yet the abductor(s) seem unconcerned about detection. Is this a familiar M.O. known to either UK or Portuguese police? Under such circumstances it is only logically that those close to the child, family and friends and other resort guests and employees, come under suspicion. An opportunistic snatch by some paedophile ring comes across as nonsensical.
GB, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
One more medical error...
Elizabeth Harrison, London, United Kingdom
I think the McCanns should volunteer to take a lie detector test and although it would prove nothing conclusively it might be a step towards establishing their innocence
susanna smyth, Dublin, Ireland
Were the McCanns the only ones ever to rent that vehicle? Who knows, if there was a dead body detected by the dogs it could have been from anyone else that used that car prior.
Common sense should have stopped this nonsense a long time ago. Did the police interrogate, follow up with other hotel employees & guests the same way they did with the McCanns?
Of course not.....they do not have the resources, and aren't motivated due to a conflict of interest. At this point Portugal cannot afford to have the criminal be Portuguese. International law enforcement needs to investigate IN that country.
MichelleH, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
it seems that you are falling into the Diana-affect hysteria on this one. Let the Portugese police complete their investigations before advocating declaring war on their country.
The last thing they want is to incur international condemnation for their investigations and we do not want to see their decisions forced on them by millionaires and the multimedia pulpit of which you are sadly a part. Let's show that justice can be done regardless of the size of wallet on offer.
joseph lampton, Hove, England
If Kate and Gerry were involved with the disappearance of their beautiful daughter - then I as a practising Christian will never understand why they went to see the Pope, to church, on TV and in all that time never broke down with guilt or shame. Kate and Gerry are in my prayers. We honour a loving and just God and His will will prevail in the end.
Please continue to hold your heads up high...this will all become clear in time and I hope those irresponsible media reporters will realise that the hurt and pain they are causing you was done for the sake of headlines and not your wellbeing in mind.
Brian McSweeney, Carnoustie, Angus
I totally agree with you Miriam, it does seem very impossible and totally unbelievable that the McCanns would accidentally kill their daughter and then go out of their way to make her disappearance known to the whole world! I think we should all keep looking - please God Madeleine is still out there alive, and she is back at home soon with her family where she belongs!
Rachael, Manchester, England
i think it is a disgrace that the police are blaming the parents instead of looking for the child . there is a child out there somewhere missing.
agnes sproule, down, northern ireland
I would never in a million years have washed the last thing my missing child had cuddled. Most parents would cherish the scent of their child that would be present on the toy.
No amount of dirt would persuade me to erase that scent.
I find the parents actions since the childs' disappearance very odd
Sue Norman, YORK, UNITED KINGDOM
I think that is a very interesting point about the sniffer dogs and Kate working with blood and corpses in her daily work.
The "scent" would be all over everything. That makes a lot more sense to me, because I am so confused by the evidence they are finding in a car rented 25 day later. I don't think they did it...never have, never will.
Kim, Santa Barbara, CA
What about the friend who entered the apartment last but says he did not enter the bedroom the children where in? He was the last known person in the apartment. Why also did he change his story to the police- at first saying he did not enter the apartment??
Donna, Wellington, NZ
I think that any buggy that's been held onto by a small child is likely to have hair caught up in it; it is also likely to be put into a boot of a car.
Who had this car for the previous 24 days? Someone who had traveled to the area with the intention of taking a child could have hired that same car too; why not, there can't be that many hire car firms around the area.
Maybe someone followed them out from England. Perhaps the couple made a passing comment about where they were going. People are strange and will go to great lengths to do extraordinary things, especially if they are mad with someone or are delighting in the family's pain.
The company should have records of customers and mileage.
The British police should have been more involved in this. If she has been abducted then no one can assume that it hasn't been planned here in the UK.
I pray that this child is found for the sake of the family, whatever the reason for her disappearance
ukphotolady, Midlands, UK
How sad that this has turned into a Save the McCanns campaign, and the whereabouts of a missing child seems to have slipped off the agenda. It's almost as if it is now assumed that she is dead and all efforts have to concentrate on protecting the McCanns. Yes, the pain and anguish on the faces and bodies of these parents is heartbreaking, but it could just as well be the strain and guilt of trying to hide a terrible secret as the pain of not knowing what has happened to your child.
Pamela, Kent,
Portugal you are our oldest ally. You are doing your best.
Catherine, Wiltshire, England
I think it is pointless to speculate until it is known exactly what evidence the police have. It is unprofessional, to say the least, for this information to have been leaked unless there was a motive behind it. Either the Portugese police want to be seen to be doing a good job, or they want to bluff the McCanns into admitting they killed their daughter, because they know their evidence is flimsy. Let's just hold back from behaving like we're in the Wild West and wait for a full picture, backed up by solid evidence. In the meantime if indeed, Madeleine was abducted, this would be the time now that her abductor may have cause to relax. This is when police should be extra vigilent to see if they make a move.
Jane, Plymouth, UK
Everybody is innocent until the proofs claim the opposite. Don´t forget it.
MarÃa, Madrid, Spain
I'm just very sad that a small minority of Portugeuse and British citizens have come to start slating each other and cast abuse to each other. I'm a Brit ( and a proud one at that) but I am getting sick of some of my fellow citizens who are quick to slate the Portugeuse police - can you honestly say our force is any better? I can't.
None if us know what has happened to this beautiful wee girl and if her parents are guilty or not. I personally find it difficult to believe they are and if they are innocent then the way they have been treated is utterly disgusting.
Let's just all pray that wee Maddie is found safe and well and reunited with her family at last.
Amie , Aberdeenshire, Scotland
India Knight's well-balanced article of 16 September is nullified by its presentation and overacrching claim of responsible British press reporting. I don't want to read selected and clearly highlighted 'vitriolic rants of the online rabble' - suffice it to say they exist. And to blame the public for the media hysteria whilst in the same breath reporting that The Sunday Times has conducted its own 'Are the McCanns Guilty' poll is not only a reprehenisble act in itself but a contradiction of the sentiment of the article. Shame on you.
sarah napier , huddersfield , england
How on earth, in a case as public as this, do people think that the McCann's hid the body of their daughter and then transfered it at least 25 days later? That's crazy - surely, they're the most famous faces in Pria de Luz at the moment - surely, they don't have any peace and privacy from the eyes of reporters?
Jo, Stafford, England
There is no proof of what has happened to Madeline. People behave differently when faced with loss outward behaviour tells us nothing.
What has happened is so sad, lost or dead a child has been badly hurt. Children are without their sister.
It takes patience to wait and see and then face what ever the truth is but it would be the kindest thing to do?
Siobhan, West Yorkshire, UK
It seems that whenever someone dies in mysterious circumstances and no quick answer is found, the media and law enforcement are quick to pin blame on the person or people closest to the tragedy. Lindy Chamberlain, Joanne Lees and Sally Clark are examples of this, and all were exonerated of any wrongdoing. DNA evidence on its own means little and without other concrete evidence the McCanns should not have their grief worsened by these terrible accusations
Emma, Sydney, Australia
Since the McCanns are both Doctors they can reasonably be expected to know safe seadtive dosages and are therefore unlikely to have overdosed their child. Similarly they can be reasonably expected to know that the sedative residues would stay in the hair of the twins and of Madeline and are therefore unilkely to deny sedating them if their is so much evidence that can disprove them
Colin Brewer, Eastbourne, East Susse
Are the McCanns willing to undergo a lie detector test. Surely this would be a useful step forward in determining the truth?
Alan Davies, Birmingham,
At last an impartial report of the facts we know. Everything else that comes in all media is pure speculation, jeoparding the investigation.
I should add , and it was already said in tv by a PJ inspector who went to the apartement after they were called ,is that Kate McCann called the Sky TV 45 minutes before she called the police! Why? It doesn't make sense!
I trust our PJ and I am certain that , along with the British police, they are doing their best to solve this case, but things take time.
Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
I'm writing this as a reader from Germany. We also feel very emotional about Maddie's disapperance here. In my oppinion the portugese police is not able to solve this case. THis is a southern country with a totally different culture in police work. Why is the british police not always involved in this case? I don't understand that! If the british police holds back because of political correctness, they don't do their duty.
Besides all, I can't believe that the McCanns are guilty.
Barbara Müller, Munich, Germany
Red Flag - Washed the Cuddle Cat toy. If that's the memory of your missing daughter, it's sacred. No grieving parent would wash it. This is a strange case.
Name Withheld, Reston, US
First of all I wish that the Mcann's were inocent and that Madeleine is alive !!!!
Portuguese police are doing their very best with this case , and are working together with the English police , do not forget about that !
I really find something odd - since the Mcann have been turned suspects who has been searching for Madaleine.........
Lizza , Estoril, Portugal
The facts as the police would have us believe are that Madeleine died in her apartment between 6 and 8pm on May 3. The latest suggestion is that she was given an overdose of sedatives by her mother. The first question is would these sedatives have killed her in such a short time? Then her parents hid her body for a minimum of 25 days with access only to a holiday apartment and the whole world watching their every move, mainly brought about by thier own actions to publish their daughter's disappearance. So the second question is why didn't anyone notice the awful smell which would have pervaded the whole complex? Then still under constant scrutiny and after having successfully concealed the body for nearly a month, they move it in the hire car. So the third question must be why bother?
I think everyone (including the Portuguese police) should stop lambasting the McCanns and carry on looking for this little girl. She must be somewhere and could well be alive.
Miriam Oppenheim, Madrid, Spain
Gerry and Kate- You both have my full support until the very end.I juxt hope and pray that you's were not involved in little maddie's killing.I would be so mad at you's as so would the whole world.I hope ye are innocent and ye have my support at the moment as the saying goes- innocent until proven guilty!
Ger Connolly, Irelanf, Ireland
Were the Mc Canns not being followed day and night by reporters from all over the world after the disappearane of Madeline? Wouldn`t this make the moving of a body 25 days after her disapperance some what difficult or even impossibe?
Rebecca, Malaga, Spain
'[ Portuguese police admit that they cannot] prove that Madeleine was intentionally killed.'
May I correct the above report?
The Portuguese police cannot prove that Madeleine is dead.
Philip Skalla, London, England
I don't know how anyone can say 'the McCann's are innocent' if they don't actually know them. There seems to be enough evidence to suggest that maybe they did play a part in Maddie's disappearance and possible death. The key points as shown above certainly are pointing towards the McCann's. I just hope, for Maddie's sake, that guilt is proven and to the correct offender.
Jamie, Brighton,
The parents have been framed by Portugese police and the real gyilty.Strenght for the Gerry and Kate,please keep going on and don`t give up on this pressure!I`ll prayer for you,and Madeline.
Pia, Turku, Finland
It is difficult to understand how so much "evidence" has been found NOW in the van which was only hired 25 days after the girl disappeared. Surely the parents would not have dared to move her after bringing so much attention to the case and it defies belief that they could have hired the very same van which was used by the abdctors on that awful night. Have the previous users been traced and cleared ??
It doesseem a long time for the police to realise that the building or excavation works nearby would have made an ideal dumping spot and worth a close search.
R.J.Mayson, Eastbourne, E.Sussex, England
I was devasted when I saw this sweet little girl on the news that was missing. I was shocked when the Portuguese police suspected the parents. It is their right and duty to check everyone out, but why was everything done so late. That room should have been sealed and CSI unit called in to check it immediately to gather all the evidence, not 4 months later. I really want to know who had access to that car prior to them hiring it. Has the police ever checked that out? Everyone just gets called a suspect but they should state facts and not leave the whole world wondering why they didn't seal off the town, room etc. I for one am constantly watching sky news to see what has happened. I have 3 children myself, and it has torn my heart to see this little girl who has disappeared and no-one can find - not even a body if she is dead. Think of all the family.
Natali Giannakakis, Johannesburg, South Africa
With a Find Madeleine Fund of a million pounds at their disposal, why haven't the McCanns hired the best possible private investigators to find out the truth and to hunt for their child? I have read no information about the McCanns prior to their holiday in Portugal. Have any investigative reporters researched their background? Did Madeleine attend nursery school? If so, what are her teachers' impressions of the family?
Dell Foster, Exeter, England
I cannot believe the McCanns can hide Madeline for 25 days from the biggest search in the history of Portugal, and then transport her in a car hired later. Surely they were under survelience not only of the Police but the media! It's impossible.
Roger Prowse, Purley, UK
The whole case is strange. I expect, as in the Fred West case, much more will be revealed a long time after.
Has anyone thought to check out the McCann's and their work with their patients, just in case.
Andrew, London, UK
The parents are either innocent or not innocent. If they are not innocent they are either rational or not rational. Based upon the information the assumption of rationality is easy to accept. Then it would be likely that they would leave Portugal at the most rational moment in time. This moment would definitely have been just after visiting the Pope and just before the peak of the Summer Holidays . Instead they stayed for weeks longer. It would not be rationional to extend their campaign so long if they were not innocent, If they are innocent the situation is that portuguese police can either reliable or not reliable. There is considerable evidence that the later option is at least likely. If the police is reliable, however, and the parents are not innocent the situation is that the real guilty person has no contact or does have contact to the parents or their car and may have left traces of the girl in this way in the car. Truth is not always simple
Peter Roelofsma, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
An intriguing although excellent summary. It has been good to read a review of the evidence which does not create a situation for a witch hunt.
Mikey Kelk, Northampton,
well, I guess nothing makes sense right now!
It's useless to attack the couple or the Portuguese people as everything we know is speculation...
And one thing is for sure: nobody will be convicted without proof here...
Our legal system maybe complex, slow, full of inefficiency but it's not dirty.
Diogo, Porto, Portugal
The Mccann are not accused for now... they are just "arguidos". I understand it's hard for you to understand the arguido concept but it's the way it works here!
If there is not enough evidence to accuse them they will NOT be accused and will NOT be on trial.
So, stop saying the police sucks... they are just doing their job!
If they have evidence do you really think they should look the other way?!
I STILL BELIEVE MADELEINE IS ALIVE. MY THOUGHTS GO TO HER
Diogo, Porto, Portugal
They are both innocent. Nobody however clever they maybe could have kept the pretence up for so long, had they committed such a terrible act.
Charles, Folkestone,
lets hope this is sorted quickly.
veronica, london, UK
Who had the hire car before them??
I feel sorry for the twins - lets hope they are looked after by grandparents as the parents will go back to Portugal and they shouln't go. Not sure either way but botch job by police...
Cat, London, England
Under British law all parents have a 'Duty of care' to their children whatever country they are in, it is expected that the McCann's other 2 children will now be on the 'At risk register' for children who have been mistreated; they were left alone. The McCanns are lucky that they were not arrested when they returned to the UK for leaving 3 under 5's alone. There plan to 'mind' them from the restaurant has proved not to work.
Lorna, Wokingham, England
Give them both a lie-detector test
N.Riley, Runcorn, England
For the sake of argument, if these parents are totally innocent then this is the most horrendous nightmare that any parent could possibly go through. First they have to deal with the disappearance of a child and subsequently the finger of suspicion. My biggest fear is that all the evidence against them is going to be found to be conclusive. And all this time are the police actually still looking for Madeleine? I would sincerely hope so.
Jane, Amsterdam, Netherlands
I think that people should be very careful what they say. Put yourselves in the McCanns' shoes and how will you feel later on when the truth comes out if you have got it wrong!
Lynne Khan, Westcliff on Sea, U.K
Does anyone know why the police searched the rental car in the first place? I mean the car they were driving at the time of the disappearance I can understand, but unless they had some specific intelligence or evidence I can not understand why they would have searched the car of some one who was not a suspect.
Andrew Hodge, London,
I believe the case should be handed to the British Police to run a paralel investigation.
I don't know if the McCanns are guilty or not and it's not my place to say, but i am sure that i would have reacted alot more passionately if it was my daughter.
The parents of the boy who was shot a few weeks ago Rhys Jones, now i'm sorry but that's how parents react.
I just hope that it is the shock of everything going on or that they work for the medical proffession which has made them be cold throughout.
I feel for Mrs McCann and since she's a staunch Catholic then they are supposed to abide by the commandments. I am holding onto the belief that Madeline is alive until they can prove different.
Keep looking for Maddie!
jacqui, wembdon, somerset
I am pleased to see that there is a significant part of the international community, who have not let themselves be manipulated by the tabloids rambling about this case.
Such a tragedy can only raise strong emotions and anger in any one of us. But it is beyond comprehension the way some people jump into conclusions so quickly, without strong evidence. I cannot understand why the portuguese police is beign kicked around because they did not charge anyone yet with either murder or child abduction. As someone earlier wrote, how many cases are there unsolved in so many countries, including Britain.
Let the police take its time. Given the high scrutinity it is under, I would be very surprised if they would name Maddie's parents as suspects, without having strong evidences supporting that. They might turn out (or not) to be misleading evidences. But why did the Mccan couple not help the police further, to clarify the suspictions, and answer all questions they were asked?
Eduardo, Lisbon,
i find it impossible to believe that the parents have played a part in this, but they need to be investigated, if nothing else to eliminate them from the enquiries, there are questions needing to be answered, the mccanns should have the opportunity to answer. i dont believe that the portugese police are trying to frame the couple, its far too big a case for them to think for a second they'd get away with it, to think that there would be that many people involved in a conspiracy involving a missing child is unthinkable.
sue, caernarfon, gwynedd
I've read enough to believe that the media are desperately sick, sader still is the fact that some people seem to thrive on this morbid speculation. These people are inocent untill there is absolute proof of their guilt. When this is all over and if the McCanns are found to be completely innocent their lives are totally ruined and shattered anyway. The media will just crawl away and so it all again.
Ani Hunter, Aldershot, Hampshire
All this speculation about what happened to Madeleine is just our desperation to have answers, but who do we think we are?if you read a variety of newspapers, as I do, you will see from the many variations of the facts reported i.e appartment 40, 70 , 100 , 80 yards from restaurant...just how fallible journalists are-just like the rest of us.
The media is only made up of humans, just like the police force.
The one clear fact is that it wasn't possible ,for whatever reason, for procedures to be put in place to provide clues about the disappearance of Madeliene in the first minutes and hours and now, without such evidence, attempts are being made by the media and the police to prove their various theories. But that is what they remain-just theories at the moment. Until there is a Eureka moment, an inarguable, absolutely concrete 100% accurate piece of evidence to show what happened none of us will know.
I wonder what madeleine would want to say about this?
'please find me?' mayb?
Lynda, tonbridge, uk
If there is the remotest possibility or suspicion that Gerry and/or Kate McCann are in any way connected to or responsible for Madeleine's disappearance then it is entirely correct that they should be investigated.
ans if ANYONE thinks so, then they must speak up, 'to sin by silence when we should speak out, makes cowards out of men...'
Phil Carsley, Middlesbrough, UK
I had one big question which I have not seen addressed anywhere in the media except by Claire of Brighton who asks the same question in the comments here: Who had possession & use of the rental vehicle during the period of time since Maddy went missing and the date her parents were handed the keys to this rental car????
Ensi, Anaheim, USA
I truly feel heart sorry for little maddie. I only pray she is not suffering and that the people responsible are brought to justice soon. Kate always appeared too calm for someone going through the hell of losing a child like that. If she is responsible she should put that little girl at peace and then spend her life trying to make her own oeace with god.
yvonne selfridge, fife, scotland
I don't know what to believe but I am sure Portuguese Police are doing their best, as I think British does.
There are many inconsistencies in all theories presented, ie: if McCanns have something to do with their daughter's death, why do they make a show all over the world? It is not a normal behaviour. On the other hand, if police believe that they are involved in Maddie's dissappearance or death, I think this is a serious accusation to formulate without proofs. They may have a conclusive proof. Who is right? The case is very strange.
Poor child...
Marta, Madrid, Spain
im so confused now with all this speculation. i hope that madeline turns up so everyone can have closer. when i first saw kate mccann on tv she looked like a broken woman. But as the days went by i noticed the change of earrings in each picture. no this doesnt mean she was involved but i remember thinking that ,that would be the last thing to cross my mind. As most mothers would my hair would stay unwashed stuff the makeup jewellery or even change of clothes. I would be kicking doors down and lifting draincovers.
I dont think theyve done anything to Madeline as why didnt the come home and continue to "search" from here. Why make this media circus - only to keep madeline in the pubic eye when things started to die down in the press here they upped the publicity.
There is a true story (film) "my first name is Steven" when he got to 17 and had to abduct a younger boy for his "father" he then rememebered his abduction
God forgive them if they are guilty
God forgive us if theyre not
sophie, uk,
'They've taken her' is the only way to express that an unknown third party or parties is/are involved. We use 'they' in English because we don't have a neutral word to describe one or more persons whose sex(es) we do not know. We would find it odd if 'He/she has taken her' had been cried out - indicating that the person was known. Another example of how parts of the press have been all too keen to feed the imaginations of the public. Perhaps instead of entertaining wilder and wilder conspiracy theories the public should accept the really unpalatable truth - that this case is deeply distressing to all and we, as a public, want closure in any form.
Tracey, Swansea,
A lie detector test proves nothing... It has been demonstrated that it can be deceived, by controlling the respiration and stress... By what they've been through until now, controlling stress must not be hard... The Policia Judiciaria has been considered the best criminal police in the world last year, so I trust their judgment...
F Mendes, Obidos, Portugal
The Portuguese Police have been working with the British Police and any information has been shared. In the case a of a missing child every Police Force around the world will do their best to solve the case. It is true that this type of case is rare in Portugal and with such high media attention the police are doing all they can to solve the case. The Police need to question the parents and as an FBI agent on CNN mentioned most cases of children under 5 gone missing is a result of death by accident by the parents. The Police are doing their job and are getting help from other Police forces, it would be unfair to bad mouth the Portuguese Police. Portugal is still a very safe and friendly place to visit as many from around the world find each year. We all want this case resolved and no one wants to blame the parents. Only justice and faith will solve this case.
Alex, Hamilton, Canada
I just hope it in't true. If it is, heaven help anyone in a similar situation...... they will never be believed.
Bill Beetham, Moscow, Russia
I would find it strange if the parents had indeed been able to be enjoying themselves, having dinner and wine with their friends, knowing that one of their children had died only hours before. I just cannot see how anybody would be able to pretend to be OK, even if they had intentionally killed their child.
Vera, London, United Kingrdom
the hair could have been xfer by a hairbrush that all the family use?? i know when i was young we had one hairbrush between my family. They did use this hire car to transport their belongings did they not??
m.lord, manchester, u.k
I have wondered from the start of this case how Madeleine's mother was able to leave her two other children in the creche with relative strangers whilst thinking that the abductor was potentially still around. My instinct as a mother would be to protect them from any further danger. Was she aware that there was no danger ?
Jo, Birmingham,
As Patricia said, for the first time I read a clear and impartial view on the case in British media. This story disturbs everybody, so I understand some criticism about the Portuguese investigation.
Remember, the Portuguese police are simply doing their job under intense media scrutiny and criticism. Let me remember that there are some British police working with the Portuguese authorities on this investigation, and there is a full cooperation among detectives. This investigation is a nightmare for us, no one would like a story like that, but I think the work must be done for….Madeleine.
Henrique, Lisboa, Portugal
Although I feel desperately sorry for little Maddy, this saga is turning into a classic Agatha Christie. Either the Portuguese police are trying to frame the family or the McCanns are telling a pack of lies. My wife, who reads a lot of detective novels, thinks it possible that Maddy was sedated so the parents could enjoy their evening undisturbed and subsequently suffered a severe allergic reaction. When her mother returned and discovered her lifeless body, she panicked and hid the evidence. Personally, I really hope that the parents are innocent but it will be fascinating to see how it all plays out.
Simon R. Gladdish, Swansea, Wales
who had the hire car in the period before the Family hired it?
SEAN SWAN, washington, usa
A good generalised summary of events. One of the few good, unbiased articles I have read on the subject. Everyone needs to stop speculating ether way and let the Police get on with it.
But there is always suspicion where overly religious people are concerned. With our own Azaria Chamberalin case, it was believed the name Azaria meant a sacrifice to god. Any fanatacism is always a worry.
Plus if a part time doctor working one day a week, has contact with 6 dead bodies in one week. I would suggest she was not a very good doctor. Were toxicolgy tests done on THEM.
kate ingleton, Perth, Western Australia
I do not believe for one second that the Portuguese Police are trying to frame the McCanns. If they were going to frame anyone they had a far easier target in Mr Murat. He has never enjoyed the support of most of the press and public that the McCanns have.
If the Portuguese Police believe they have enough evidence to go to court, then the guilt or innocence of the McCanns will be established there. Perhaps it would be a good idea to wait for that and stop all the speculation.
The real victim in this case is Madeleine and the truth of what happened to that lost little girl is the only thing that matters.
Anna, Peterborough, UK
To Philip Brennan, Piscataway, New Jersey, who said..."This is reminiscent of John and Patsy Ramsey
who were wrongly 'suspected' of killing Jon Benet". As the Jon Benet Ramsay case has NOT been solved, and the mother has since died, there is no proof that suspicion of the parents was "Wrong". Police closed the file. They only do that when they know who it was but dont have the evidence to convict them.
kate ingleton, Perth, Western Australia
A lie detector test is no more reliable than tossing a coin or reading tea leaves.
Brian, cape Town, South Africa
To be honest it is really sad and terrorific situation. I believe Mrs Mc cann killed her own daughter. And some people was involved in this as Russell O'brien who is a doctor as well and came back half a hour after Madeleine's has reported missing.
Second i believe Mrs Mc Cann was cleaning the Madeleine's Cuddle cat because was a evidency in there...a normal mum try to keep the baby smelling.Why was Blood in the hire car.? the police discover this after 25 days, right but is not an accident that in one case like that the car had blood and still they was driving to go to excursions and visiting friends!!! i believe the police must to make an investigation about every single place they visited with the car hire...Why after the Portuguese Police discover the blood and other implication in the case, they go back to Uk instead of hive all they support in the case and give the face??? why they contracted the Pinochet Lawyer?are they thinking he will give the freedom to them? only god knows
Priscilla, London/, UK
Does anyone remember Lindy Chamberlain.Wrongly convicted of the murder of her baby Azaria? Convicted on suspect forensic evidence and public opinion, (no body has ever been found)
She was eventually pardoned, after her life and the life of her children was ruined.
this is another beat up of speculation and innuendo....dangerously it can become fact in peoples minds.
Wait for the evidence!
Sharon Everist, Cairns, Queensland
Agree with Eileen England. In South Korea there was a toddler missing about 6 years ago. Parents were dining with friends in a restaurant and their children were playing outside garden in front of the restaurant. The young girl was just missing in a minute during the play. Nationwide search continued for months and had no clue. Some months later when the owner of the restaurant opened the wobbling, unsafe manhole of the sanitation to discharge, found the body of the poor girl inside. Hundreds of police did not even opened and examined the manhole, where she played nearby and missed step down into in a second. Poltuguese police must search again nearby the hotel in detail.
rex, South Korea,
We are expected to believe that Kate McCann accidentally killed her daughter, either by an overdose or by slapping her too hard, then calmly went to a restaurant to have a few drinks?
Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK
I think it is pointless to speculate until it is known exactly what evidence the police have. It is unprofessional, to say the least, for this information to have been leaked unless there was a motive behind it. Either the Portugese police want to be seen to be doing a good job, or they want to bluff the McCanns into admitting they killed their daughter, because they know their evidence is flimsy. Let's just hold back from behaving like we're in the Wild West and wait for a full picture, backed up by solid evidence. In the meantime if indeed, Madeleine was abducted, this would be the time now that her abductor may have cause to relax. This is when police should be extra vigilant to see if they make a move.
Jane, Plymouth, UK
It's very hard to know what to believe. If the Mc Cann's have killed their beautiful daughter I believe as the papers and news report said; it was accidental. But on the other hand why would they blatenly visit Rome to see the pope and visit high profile figures like George Bush, Tony Blair and continue to travel round Europe in the search for her. The whole case is inconcievable. Where ever Maddie may be I hope God is looking after her.
Mother of two,
fiona mc cormack, Drogheda, Ireland
The McCanns, especially Kate, are devout Catholics. If they had been guilty of such serious wrongdoing they would be unable to participate in Mass unless they had confessed their guilt to a priest and been granted absolution. Surely their strong faith would not have allowed them to meet the Pope and ask for his blessing and prayers if they knew that Madeleine was dead by their hands. Is it known what they said to the Pope and how he replied?
Dell Foster, Exeter, England
Has anyone considered the possibility that a third party / abductor/ murderer placed the dna evidence in the rental car to frame the Mc Canns?
Ken, Dublin, Ireland
We must wait and see.The Portuguese Police are not the lousy corp that the britons pretend to be.
The case is very complicated even in Britain, so be a little more humble and think everything its possible.
ptp
Pedro da Cunha, Lisboa, Portugal
Having lost a child myself in tragic circumstances, it is hard to watch what has been happening over the past months since Madeline went missing.
All I would ask people is to remember that there is a little girl still missing. Our thoughts and actions should be concentrated on this. I dont know if her parents are innocent or guilty of either her abduction or death. None of us, no matter whether experts or not, have the answers as to this. Please let us remember that people are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. If innocent, Madelines parents are being subjected to trial by media in what is supposed to be a democracy where our human rights should always be paramount. I cannot even begin to imagine how they must be feeling in this case. Let the courts do their job, and lets not try them in the media because that is what has been happening in the past week.
Jacqueline Chapman, Haslemere , UK
Of all the papers I must say The Times seems to have the most informed and intelligent coverage of this case. Having read this particular summary I am convinced that this is not an abduction case.
Matthew Duckworth, London,
Could you just please put your prejudice away?
Yes, we in Portugal are a little behind in some subjects. A small example: our police really needs a good public relations expert.
And we may be a little messy, but we live in 21st century, too. And if you look closer, a lot of what's been credited to the portuguese police, comes, after all, from anonym sources.
Teresa, Lisboa, Portugal
The idea that the McCanns killed thier daughter, were able to put on a false show of unbelievably consuming grief, hide their daughter's body during one of the biggest police searches in Portuguese history and dispose of it under the watch of the world's media, whom they had encouraged to help with the case, is absolutley ridiculous. Yes stastics show that a high number of child murders are committed by people who knew them but the statistics tell us nothing under these extraordinary circumstances. Both the world's press and public are far to quick to cast suspicion and seem to engage their suspicious minds alot more readily than they draw on their human empathy and common sense. Such people are making this terrible ordeal even worse for the McCanns.
Jo-ann Hodgson, Brighton, England
It´s not because someone is very kind or the story is very sad that it´s not guilty.
What happened was a crime (kidnap or murder), it´s not because of our feels that someone is guilty or not.
The pressure against the investigation and the media circus is so strong that it´s very hard to understand the case.
From the long story of investigations I do believe in portuguese police "PJ", although some "chauvinism" and emotional interpretation.
Kate and Gerry are not guiltys now, they are "arguidos" (suspects), because some evidences indicate that (and of course most of the evidences are not public, because of the portuguese "segredo da justiça" - law´s secret to protect investigation).
If I were the Maddie´s parents I would put in the same level the kidnap and the murder.
If I was not guilty and accused, I would feel very sorrow (anyone can imagine...), but in any moment I would have problems to defend myself and tell the truth.
Luis Sottomayor, Oporto, Oportugal
LEAVE THEM ALONE and stop this witch-hunt. Instead people should focus on finding Madeline, whether dead or alive, and never give up on the campaign to bring her home to her family
How soon the mood of the european people turn fuelled by the media, both in Portugal and England.!!
I hope and pray the child will be found and returned safely to her family soon so the McCann family do not have have to endure any more of this awful nightmare existence.
mary rogers, Athlone, Ireland.
I've been living in England for two years, and your police is not much better. All the kids murder in South London? This not happens in Portugal.
It's very stupid to say Portugal has a 3rd world police force or that you are too scare to go to Portugal because they can accuse you of something. Something like what?
Why? Because the way portuguese police carry investigations is different than the english?
Just open your mind, and try to understand how other countries work.
And, as I read "seriousness of the process has been misunderstood and exaggerated by cultural and language differences", try to learn a bit about a country and its language. Do not expect going to Portugal and portuguese speak in english; they speak Portuguese because they live in Portugal.
If you go to Italy they will speak in Italian, and their laws will be different as well.
Judit, Tarragona, Spain
"The reason the child hasn't been found is because the police did not know how to respond when the child was first reported missing. No Amber Alert in Portugal" - Cgertk, Troy, MI, USA
Probably and understandable circumstance, considering that missing/kidnapped children is not nearly as big a problem in Portugal as it is in the US.
Pete, Cov,
Who had the car before the McCann's? Maybe the DNA was already there...
Carol, Bern, Switzerland
I know what it is like to be falsely accused and questioned by police for an appaling child abuse crime I did not commit. I lost my job, my marraige, my home, so called friends and worse, access to my beautiful children. Arrested, identified as a suspect, locked up in a cell and treated like a witch in Salem in the 17th Century - certain death. The police had statements but in the end the truth came out. I was not this criminal they were trying so hard to label. A real living nightmare. Took so long to unravel too. Facts do not necessarliy make ultimate truth. The McCanns now find themselves guilty until proven innocent . I would have been the first to accuse them but after what happened to me I now believe in due process. The mob is lethal and we are so eager to label and be self righteous about others even when there are certain "facts"! What kept me going was constant and honest prayer. Let us all keep calm now. Think of their children at least, and pray for Madeline.
Joseph, London, UK
I don't if the parents are innocent or not. I just can't understand who could kill such a pretty and cute child...She was so gifted. why?why?why? I am just shocked.
Chrysa, Heraklion, Greece
If the child were black, brown or otherwise *colored* the ghoulish infatuation with her disappearance would itself disappear. Perhaps observers of the American media will recall the fatuous obsession with the Natalee Holloway case: a textbook lesson in wrangling a few shekels out of the advertisers, keeping the downtrodden white folk terrified for the safety of their children, and diverting attention to the poor unfortunate children in every other part of the world dying by the thousands from disease, war and privation.
Carlson McCree, Lowell, MA, US
Kate and Gerry, I don't know where or how to contact you so I will do it here. I know deep in my bones that you would never harm your children. I can see it in your tortured faces and in the way you are trying to make a desperate search for your lovely daughter. Keep nagging to keep that search going as Madeleine is the important one. And when she is found it will be time to look into the way this has all been handled by the police. God give you some peace and strength.
Liz, Sussex, UK
IM happy at last that the portugeas police are pulling their weight, seeming it has taken them so long to pull their finger out their ass. madelliene mcann has been missing for months and still there is not enough evidence to prove someone as her killer. who ever has tooken/killed her is a cruel person like look how gorgeouse she is shes a little girl who dont deseve this cruelty. so far me and all my friends think that this has something to do with her mum because of the way she acts and the way she goes on. but all i am saying is if it does have something to do with her mum she is well cruel because that is her little girl and still she wants to kill her daughter that is sick. if evidence proves that she killed her daughter she should be locked up and the police should chuck away the key and when she dies the only place she should go to is HELL.
JESSICA, WHALES,
john morrison, kirkcaldy, uk asks...
have the police spoke (sic) to the local priest that the mc canns saw every day did they have confessions... Wouldnt do any good John, Priests can NOT divulge anything made during Confessions, EVEN if it relates to a murder.
kate ingleton, Perth, Western Australia
I sincerely hope Maddie is alive and that whoever took her is caught. The parents seem unlikely for reasons many have already stated. If the perpetrators are discovered, let's hope they're sent to some god forsaken place made to regret their actions.
Lets Not put them in a british prison where they will have better accomodation than our troops and be protected by the Prison Service in case of any in-mates wishing to take matters into their own hands. Us hard working tax payers don't want to have to pay for their law suits as well as their rehabilitation... do we?
Racheal, Swindon, Wiltshire
In a relatively small resort it would be normal that the same hire car would be used by more than one visitor to the Ocean Club (indeed they may have cars espcecially for the club that they don't mind getting seawater and sand in etc,) so it is possible that the car had been used by the perpetrator of the crime before the Mcanns hired it.
I don't purport to be a detective, that's why I leave it to the experts, but it seems the Portugese police are responding to a world baying for blood by making the Mccanns scapegoats.
Ingrid Korsan, Gateshead , UK
they are suffering enough with amissing child now accused of being involved in the case they have my support let them be
michelle, birmingham, england
I feel strongly that the parents did not kill their little girl, however I don't think it fair to start to condemn the portugeuse police - let them complete this sad case in their own way as this did happen in their country! I think they have been very professional - the difference in culture, language and law confuses this case terribly - we all desperately want Maddie to be alive which is now doubtful by the sounds of the DNA that has been found in the car. We all want Kate and Gerry to be found innocent in the disappearance of their little girl - there will be an outcome - hopefully soon and to the justice of the parents and the police!
Tracy Santos, Newbury, Berkshire
"....I've seen two-year-olds sleep through a 40th birthday party complete with loud music, voices and laughter..."
At 7:00pm???
Rita, Lisboa, Portugal
The McGanns have at best been very foolish - that doesn't deserve the hatred of all but they are not innocent.
Would there be the unrestrained sympathy of the world if Maddy had been killed in a fire, killed from playing with a knife in the kitchen of the flat, left in a car an suffocated. They overplayed their victim status at the start and now as the wheel turns they are at risk of being excessively hated - as we sow so shall we reap.
They are flawed - as we all are.
I find that I hope they did over-sedate Maddy as it is probably the best of the realistic options of what has happened to her - the only true innocent in this very sorry case.
Benjamin, Gloucester,
The Press speculation in this case seems to me to be getting completely out of hand . No self respecting responsible investigator would leak evidence or lines of enquiry,still less comment on their evidential value. What happened or didnt happen to this unfortunate little girl should the subject of
very circumspect comment not the ramblings of hacks who
work outside the rules of evidence and who are only journalists,not law enforcement professionals.Everything at the moment in the public domain is opinion only.We have to wait quite rightly until the Portuguese Police present their findings in the proper forum.
janbolsover, wirral, england
Quoting "... they should do a lie detector test...". Yes, but I feel they are guilty.
Quoting "... If I had killed my daughter ..." You would do anything to not loose your remaining two children, right?
Quoting "...I fail to see how an army of sniffer dogs, police and other searchers could fail to find a body..." They were not looking for a dead body, remember?
Artur M, Lisboa, Portugal
The police should be left to do their job - uninterrupted and uninfluenced by "lobby" opinion. We don't know the evidence in detail and it's pointless speculating. I fear the investigation could be derailed, over-influenced or tainted by the publicity campaign set in train when Madelaine went missing . It's fine and right that friends and associates of the McCann's air their opinions but once done they should shut up until the charges are laid (if any ever are laid). If charges are laid then the McCann's will have the chance to show their innocence in court . If the police have got it wrong then their case will fail.
Julian, Finchampstead, UK
The media have shown a lot of interest in hair samples found in the hire car rented by Madeleine's parents. This was 2 weeks after her disappearance. Have the police checked any other hire cars rented by the same company which I assume was cleaned on returned by the same cleaners and same vacuum cleaners? It would be plausible that DNA could easily be transferred by many things including many people renting the cars. I would bet that DNA from all recent people associated with the hire cars including the rental company's staff, drivers, cleaners etc would be found scattered on many cars. The police should check the rental company's vacuum cleaner and other cars not rented by Madeleine's parents. Also - the media should not be too quick to jump to conclusions.
Alan Payne, Markfield, UK
Up to this point the Portugueses are only guessing and just trying to force a confession by means of a fishing expedition.
Francisco, Winter Haven, Florida, USA
Dear Sir/Madam
With regard to Mrs McCann's alleged remark "They've taken her", I wonder if the apparent oddness of this comment might be put down to differing idiomatic usages in English and Portuguese. Portuguese speakers tend to avoid linguistic contructions containing the passive voice; the Portuguese language possesses various means to structure phrases where an agent is unkown or irrelevant, one of which is the use of the third person plural without any specific or personal reference. So, "She's been taken" would normally be rendered in Portuguese as "They've taken her".
Yours faithfully,
Nick Bartlett
Nick, Madrid, Spain
Only one thing I find difficult to comprehend. Anyone who had mysteriously lost a child would just want to lock themselves in a dark room next to a phone and wait for some good news. Not the McCanns. They have been seeking public attention, looking quite positive and giving much attention to their dress and appearance; playing some kind of martyr role.
Sorry if I upset some of you but I cannot seem to notice any kind of grief. The whole circus reminds me of so many cases where people have made public appeals on camera to find their loved ones only to be later charged with being involved in their disappearance.
David, London, UK
If the DNA evidence is soimportant PLEASE tell us who had the car 25 days earlier; prove where the car has been for every kilometre; demonstrate that the car was or was not hired out to people (who may have been the real abductors) and then given to the McCanns in purpose to confuse the trail. Of course people may continue to lie and try and frame the McCanns but it would be great to see who had the car the night and days that Maddie went missing.
Stop taking comments from a mother out of context.... the poor woman clearly is in great control under stressful situations ... taking random comments from her diary and trying to make it sound she is having a breakdown is plain evil... stop it! She loves her kids and the best place for her is with them now.
Put everyone involved on a lie detector test. I'm sure you'll see that there are cover-ups going on left right and centre... people with keys to appartments who shouldn't have them; people ensuring Portugal is a kidnapers paradise.
s. george, Adelaide,
Hasn't anyone told the Portuguese police that in English we say "they" as a singular as well as plural term. eg I wonder who rang while we were out? I hope THEY were not needing urgent assistance.
Bruce, Bolton, UK
I'm disgusted with the police making Gerry & Kate suspects. It's an a definite scape-goat because they have been too laid back and made so many blunders so far. Those parents are going through hell - it's obvious to see, just because they haven't broke down in front of cameras, screamed or shouted doesn't mean they aren't broken people. That little girl was taken by someone. A witness said she saw a man carrying a child in pyjamas same as Maddies, intruders in apartment above a few weeks before. This resort is well known as a family place, someone wanted to take a child and has got one. The police, investigators need to put energies into finding Madeleine, not spending time looking into Gerry & Kate, they aren't going anywhere.
Kim, Manchester, UK
Kim Reed, Manchester, UK
Like SOME of you say, Portuguese Police sucks, and they are waiting some of you English genious to tell them how to do their work. You are the best ones and that's why you have fog in your eyes and we have sun in our lifes. Shame on you. You have much more unsolved cases like this in you country than we do.
I hope that the parents are innocent but I just don't know and neither do you.
Carlos, Porto, Portugal
I think Kate and Gerry are being framed. They have not killed there daughter. Us Brits should stand by them and bycott Portugol. This is outrages. Dont you think they have gone through enough with out this rubbish being printed. Please leave them alone. Its been a media circus from start to finish and this is not the end. Lets think of Madeline thats what we should be thinking about. FINDING MADELINE. Not reading all of this rubbish thats being printed about Kate and Gerry.
My thoughts are with the family.
Sandra Cooper, Manchester, England
A large amount of hair...
If it's really true... The McCann's will have to explain it. To millions of people...
If it's not true...
Portuguese police and justice will have to pay for it. Millons of euros...
Let's wait the truth... it will come fast; and complete !
Francisco, Madrid, Spain
I quite agree with Sandra LA USA.
I really feel for the McCanns at this moment in time, not only do they have a missing daughter but they have police and press continuosly picking at them.
Most of the "evidence" I have read about has not proved that 1. they had anything to do with the disappearence of their daughter and 2. That their daughter is dead. Where has all the murder stuff come from??? So they found some hair that doesn't prove the girl has passed on.
I don't see how the McCanns would have managed to do anything with regaurds to stashing a body then moving it etc with press continuosly following and photographing them. Surely if they had done such a horrid thing the press would have caught them in the act!!
My hopes and wishes go out to the family that Madeleine gets found safe and well.
Carla, Kent, UK
in portugal we have 8 cases of missing children unsolved. How many unsolved cases of this type does england have? Just curious.. Probably some dozens more. Do you read in portuguese newspapers that british police sucks? Never heard. Just a simple comment...Grow up. No one is guity until proved. Let our police work and stop being so snobish.. Be patient and stop jugding the whole world.
mafalda , porto, portugal
Like many of you, I have a very difficult time wrapping my head around the fact that the parents could have anything to do with little Madeleine's disappearance. However, remove emotions such as pity, sadness, regret, etc-all feelings that we have for the parents and poor little Madeleine. Then look at the facts which we do not have 100% access to, we have whatever SKY, CNN, Fox news, etc drip feed us all day long. Who knows how factual any of that is---However, there are basic facts that we know, ie.. last time anyone saw Madeleine alive, etc.
What we are left with is, I'm afraid, not looking good for the McCann Clan.
I've yet to see Kate show much emotion at all and I cannot comprehend how anyone who had supposedly just learned that there is a lot of evidence that her daughter is dead would be so vacant looking--almost drugged?
Do not fire off the Anti American emails just yet---I'm just saying that it doesn't seem to bode well for the McCann's.
Rest in Peace, Madeleine xx
Mary, San Diego, CA, USA
I just hope Maddie is alive and turns up - that would be the only happy outcome to this horrific story.
gary dobbs, porth, wales
my comment is on the quality of reporting.
The Times in paper, published two photographs of a live hair and a corpse hair to illustrate how different they looked.
And indeed they looked different
The main difference to me was the two photos looked as though they were taken at different magnifications.
I note there were no statements as to which magnification they had been taken at.
The photos also did not have a marker bar which would also have given us information about the magnification.
No-one has commented on the fact that cells in a hair follicle are clonal. Identical in every respect and that means that the mitochondrial DNA is the same. This means as far as I can see as a commentator in the street that DNA marker coincidence should be exact and not 15/20
I dont know, I dont do this sort of a thing for a living
but the commentators and pundits do.
Gerald Shaw
Gerald Shaw, Manchester, U.K
To make the McCans Suspects seems to be the only official way to question them. It's better to do this than have all of the valuable information given by the parents be inadmissable in a court of law.
Linda, Portsmouth,
That Madeline McCann is missing and a DNA sample has been recovered from the hire car appear to be the only facts known to the general public concerning this incident.
Why the rush to discredit the police service in Portugal, why is it that with so little reliable information in the public domain so many people have formed such certain opinions.
Jane Tanner has claimed that she saw a lone male carrying a child, walking away from the holiday complex around the time in question, have any other witnesses been identified who saw this.
This is a deeply disturbing incident however the public reaction is bizarre to saw the least.
I think this matter would have been better dealt with had the media had been restricted in its reporting by the sub judice rules that are practiced in this country. This media frenzy regardless of who initiated it serves no ones interests least of all the child, her family or justice.
GEORGE MOIR, GLasgow,
It doesn't make any sense.
If there had been a 25-day old decomposing body in that boot, at the height of the Portuguese summer, then it wouldn't have just been the sniffer dogs going crazy!
Unless her body was kept in the hotel freezer all that time. Yeah right.
Or Madeleine was alive for most of the time between being reported missing and the hiring of the car. But how on earth would her parents have kept her hidden and, more importantly, why?
Nicola, Wellington, New Zealand
Was Madeleine a hyperactive child?? ...Was she a difficult one to get to sleep at night?...
Dee, Camborne, Cornwall
"The cadaver dog is alleged to have become excited when shown Madeleine’s favourite soft pink toy, called Cuddle Cat".
So, a dog gets excited when shown a cat - what a revelation! Either way, a tragic case for this little girl.
Stephen, Sydney, Australia
This must be a living hell for the Mc canns ,my heart goes out to them.There is no way the Mc Canns are responsible for her abduction ,whoever took her surely must be as cruel as any evil Dictater on this earth ever,and if they read this ,there is still time to redeem yourself give her back please.
Annette Mcquade, Bellshill, Scotland
Thanks to all of you - I have read comments on other forums that are just so foul they turn my stomach, there are so many people out there who seem to enjoy the McCann's sufferings. This site has restored my faith, thank you for your intelligent comments and voices of reason.
Leanne, Brisbane, Australia
We may be grossly underestimating the expertise and intelligence of the Portuguese investigators.
Not to say that the McCann's are guilty in any way but, it is a well-known fact that most children's deaths (accidentally or otherwise) are caused by their own parents and/or relatives. The police's line of investigation is universal, standard police procedure - even more so in the light of the DNA evidence handed to them by British experts (...)
We ought to know, that from an investigator's point of view, everyone is guilty until proven innocent - not the other way around.
By failing to answer some forty questions (?) and acting in a patronizing, defiant manner, the McCann's are not seen to be helping little Madeleine’s case either .
Gerry McCann is on record saying that he does not trust the Portuguese (EU) system. We wonder why? Would he prefer his wife to be treated as "above suspicion"? We can sympathize with that, unfortunately, no true investigator will.
Alberto , London, England
Thomas, It's a shame you're using this forum for a racist rant. Ironic really, considering your arguament.
Anne Price, Coventry,
Has anyone asked who hired the car in Portugal on the day of the abduction? Could the person be the man seen carrying a little girl on the evening in question?
C Wheatfill, Colchester, England
Rubbish. This woman is not a liar. The police have botched the investigation and are now wishing to take the pressure off of their own mistakes and send these folks home. Now, they are destroying their lives. Perhaps they ought to check who else hired the car around the time of the girl's disappearance. Other than that, it does it seems that any kind of travel outside of one's own country is safe when a crime is committed. It is rubbish to put this crime on these parents. Rubbish.
Diana, Malibu, California
Even if the case comes to court, and even if the portugese police decide that the McCanns are guilty, if this is what they've got then the defence lawyers are going to have a field day. Even the 'scientific' evidence is easily disputible. You couldn't even get them on a balance of probabilities, let alone beyond reasonable doubt.
Chris, Norwich, Norfolk
I must say this is true for my children, even taking them off and on planes
I also know of reports from friends etc that children do the most unexpected things ie get up& get out etc this is not new
poor little girl who knows what happened to her
I for one do NOT think her parents are guilty
this has happened before & needs to be investigated further ie who took the little girl & from where?
Ailsa, Edinburgh, UK
I have just read blogs which suggest that the way the mcCanns have behaved ie: cool and with not much emotion,is probably normal for people in the uk!!! Let me let everyone know that it is NOT normal to act in this way in Britain.The average mother probably would have been on the edge of a nervous breakdown by now.And a lot of people in Britain find it strange also to have a website with blogs and an online shop. If you go on holiday with children you must accept the responsibility for looking after them or do not take them.The way they have travelled all over, seeking attention is not the way to do it, it just looks odd! Saying that, I must stress that I hope Madeleine is found safe and soon.
maria, Newcastle, England
I agree with a few of the comments a lie detector test should be done to both of them. This was a great report though many news paper contradict themselves so it is hard to believe whats really happening. I think that if the McCanns were involved in the death it will come out in the end. No bad doing goes unpunished!
nadine carreras, Gibraltar,
Remember none of us knows just what the police have gathered.
It's been suggested that the companions at the Tapas bar all be questioned thoroughly (and apart), timelines don't add up, the bar staff have been quoted as saying almost no one left the table that evening and that large quantities of plonk were consumed. There's an awful lot that the british media have either ignored or not followed up.
I think the true story, if it ever emerges, will hold some big surprises.
Stan-expat, USA,
what has happened to rational thought here. To keep insisting that thee portuguese police are trying to frame the couple is just silly. Different countries, different ways of dealing with things.
as for The portugese police having ruined Robert Murats life. It seems that the press also had an hand in that as well.
shaun, rotherham, uk
It was inevitable that the British public and press would start railing against the Portuguese police. It was a smart and perhaps prescient move on the Portuguese authorities' part to call in British investigators, use British sniffer dogs and a British laboratory to analyse evidence. All of this, of course, is lost on the great British public, who see anything foreign or alien as inferior, inadequate, substandard, "third world". One reader even refers to the possibility of the McCanns being found guilty as "the world's biggest miscarriage of justice." Remember the Guildford 4 and the Birmingham 6? And those weren't simply mistakes. God forbid the British actually face up to the reality that two of their compatriots may have accidentally killed or even murdered their daughter and then proceeded to cover it up!
Thomas, Cork, Ireland
i do agree about the lie detector test, if its that good why aint it been used.
lisa, leeds, uk
Some people are suggesting the use of lie detectors. Surely it is widely known that lie detectors are completely unreliable quack science, and simply DON'T WORK.
Colin Davis, London,
I'm glad the Portuguese police are at last being taken seriously. They are smart people, not the bumbling fools certain parties like to paint them as. Truth will out, for me the Pope visit was the "protesteth too much" moment..we'll see.
Ian Smith, Sotogrande, Spain
This is really one of those situations where I don't know what to think, one the one hand how do they explain her dna being found in the boot under the upholstery where the spare tyre is usually kept, on the other they were always watched by the media, where would they have got the time to put her body in the car and dump her. I do think there is more to this story than meets the eye, I think its odd that the wife of the male friend who checked on the children but didnt go into the bedroom is the only person to claim she saw someone carrying a child away - could she be covering for her husband?
Sombre a thought as this is, we have to remember that both the parents are doctors and who would have better knowledge of how to dispose of a body??
I sincerely hope that the McCanns have had no involvement as so many people who gave their time and money to help out will be so dis-heartened.
Laura , Dublin,
Many persons in this forum criticize the Portuguese police officer because of accusing the parents of a possible involvement, let's see them to me: the blood of the girl was found under the surplus tire of the car driven by the parents. If the DNA proves that the blood belongs to Maddie to whom the police officer was going to accuse?. someone who lives in the Minho or in Oporto? and because I cause the parents did they decide the result of the analyses went out of portugal after acquaintance, if before they were saying not to leave the country without knowing what it had happened to the daughter? I do not want to say what are blamed, but they must be guiltier than I that I live to 5,000 kilometros of distance and I never rented this such a car.
Larry
larry, Camb., Canadá
Stranger and more unbelievable things have happened before but I pray for Madeleine and all other children out there that it is not the people they trusted most that are a potential danger to them. From the day of Madeleine's dissapearance I believed there was something not right about the whole scenario. Saying this I am not implicating her parents as such but I believe somebody with close access to Madeleine definately was involved. Maybe her parents themselves fell victim to somebody they believed they could trust with their most precious possesion. We may never know what happened to Madeleine, but God knows and he will punish whoever is responsible.
Alida - South Africa
Alida, South Africa,
I also dont know what to beleive any more but theres no smoke without fire, god bless you maddie where ever you are
tony , southend on sea, essex,
Not enough evidence has been revealed to the public for us to be able to say whether or not the McCanns were involved in the disappearance of their lovely daughter. Innocent until proven guilty!!!! She may be alive and well. If she is, I wish the abductor/s would put Kate and Gerry and the rest of us out of our misery. I want to wish Kate and Gerry well and I hope they will one day have a happy ending to these truly tragic events.
Sue, Herts, England
Ramon, my children's favourite soft toys tend to 'stink' of staleness from their unwashed hands, food traces and so on, usually quite unpleasant. I would wash them regularly to get rid of the germs from being dropped on the floor for example and to keep them fresh. If Kate washed Cuddle Cat 4 days after she got it back from the police, it would be to get rid of the dirt and grime that had accumulated from the police handling it. She would have wished to have it fresh and clean for Madeleine. Mums (and doctors) generally don't like their children to walk about with such dirty, stinky toys that they sleep with. If she wanted to 'smell' memories of Madeleine, she'd have her clothes to do that with.
Fiona, Inverness, UK
I think it is important to look at this case with a very open mind.Inevitably questionable errors have been made by the investigating party as much as`by the parents themselves.I am sure like the millions of parents world wide who have lost and continue to lose children,their pain is heart wrenching-and if they are innocent as they have proclaimed from day one,then they have nothing to worry about as the truth will surely triumph...In response to one of the comments above that said the parents don't fit the profile-I disagree,because if there was a particular "murderer stereotype,then I am sure murder cases would be solved in an instant....I hope people are not so close minded,to think such crimes are potentially committed by a certain social class .Once again it is a good thing to reserve any strong emotionally charged comments till the end.
m, London, United Kingdom
I´m thoroughly sick of the portrayal of the Portuguese police as bumbling idiots, particularly by British ex-police officers. British police have never made mistakes have they? I´m not sure what happened to the poor little girl and my heart goes out to her. Nevertheless I refuse to be taken in by what increasingly appears to be the McCann publicity machine. The outpourings of grief by people who have not a clue of what actually happened,are almost Diannaesque in their nature.
Pete Corrigan, Santa Pola, Spain
Everybody is now concerned to "image", and show who was right.... Dont Forget about MADELINE ....and Justice.
Jorge, Lisbon, POrtugal
Considering the lawyers the McCanns hired recently, i would say it will be very easy for them to question the integrity of the evidence in court and it seems likely that the evidence obtained by the police will not be sufficient to link the parents to their daughters death.
I have been following both portuguese and british news and there is a lot of speculation about the evidence by the media. Although there is no certainty about how valuable it really is in court.
Fabio, Warwickshire, UK
Oh what a very, very sad and devastating story - an absolute nightmare. It just doesn't bear thinking about. The ONLY truth we know is that poor little Maddie went missing at such and such a time....
With all the media attention, P.Police investigations, British Police, Social Services etc etc... I feel it is so IMPORTANT to maintain an OPEN MIND. These investigations MUST be undertaken (preferably with professionalism and discretion - but that's impossible in today's day and age), But every POSSIBILITY must be investigated FULLY and likewise, eliminated accordingly. AND regardless of the McCanns professional status - IT REALLY ISN'T IMPORTANT! It goes for everyone in this world...INNOCENT until PROVEN GUILTY.
From the bottom of my heart, I pray and hope that Maddie is alive and being looked after. . . and as the story and investigation unfolds ...so will Maddie, alive and well. May God bless you Maddie.x
Claire, Wales, United Kingdom
Not one poster here knows what evidence the police have. Their own laws forbid them from publicly revealing details so where is this stuff coming from? We only know what the press tell us; how reliable are they?
As for them being set up by the Portuguese police, it is a fact that they have only become suspects since the British FSS found evidence. Is it suggested that the Brit authorities are colluding in this?
If suspicious evidence exists, the McCann's MUST be challenged about it. To do otherwise is simply incompetent.
As for those who think say that they don't fit the profile, how exactly can you tell? By their media exposure? Get real. I know them as well as most of you do; not at all.
Very good people have been known to do very bad things by act or omission. The police cannot over-look that. Let them do their job. One way or the other the truth about the McCann's will emerge. What is most important is that the childs fate is explained.
RJ, Channel Islands,
None of us know the truth as we were not there the night Madeleine was reported missing.I do not believe anything written in or broadcasted by the media. It is only from their point of view. so far its all hearsay, and from unnamed sources, informants and relatives and freinds of the McCanns.People condeming the police in portugal because they havent done their jobs properly...Are we back in the middle ages where witch hunting, drowning midwives and stoning people to death was the norm? It sure feels like it. If anyone on this blog thinks they can do better than the portugese police, get a plane ticket and go and show them I am sure they would benefit from your experience and advice.
caroline higgins, Birmingham, G.B
Lie detectors (polygraph machines) are, at best, 90% accurate. So we would not be sure even if such tests were conducted.
Roy Allen, Hong Kong,
Have they thought to check who rented the hire car before the McCanns?
Could it be some freakishly random coincidence that the real abdudctors/killers hired the same vehicle at an earlier date.
BJ, Sydney, Australia
I am quite objective in this matter, but it is a common fact, that you are far more likely to be killed by someone you know than a complete stranger. I don't know whether they killed their daughter, but it is natural that the authorities will look to the people nearest to the victim as a potential suspect, particularly in the absence of other clues. And lets face it they have chased every clue there is.
Yes I'm sure they could have handled it better, been more on the ball, been quicker to gather evidence from the McCann's which may have proved or disproved their guilt, but just because they are parents doesn't mean they are incapable of killing.
dch, nottingham, uk
What about inglish police? Did they or did they not work in Praia da Luz, since the biginning, with portuguese police?
Why parents of a missing child refuse to answer 40 questions to the police? Don´t they want to clarify everithing that help investigation?
Vera Lima, Porto, Portugal
I do not see how a couple photographed continuously could have hidden a childs body then recovered it and taken it away to be concealed permantly 25 days later, it makes no sense, especially to then make sure the whole world was looking for her..
hazel wyld, freshwater, isle of wight
If evidence was found in the car. Have the police ruled out other drivers before the Mc Canns hired the car?
Dan Kennedy, Belfast, N Ireland
Honestely, I hope that Gerry and Kate MacCan would be inocent, honestely, and I hope also that Maddie would be found alive.
Filipe Vieira, Portugal, Portugal
You have forgotten to mention a third possibility. That the Mccanns car has been planted with the specimens of Maddies hair, skin scrapings etc. Do you really believe the police are not involved?
eden, Nth Coast, NSW
Does anyone seriously believe that these parents would hide their daughters body and then go on for months, traveling all around Europe publicizing the fact that she is missing with balloon releases, etc.? Obviously, they would have gone back home if they knew where she was by now.
Theresa, St. George, UT, USA
This constant speculation by the press and from people such as yourselves posting on this forum is ridiculous, its all conjecture. There isnt a journalist or a Times reader alive who knows what happened for sure yet so why not let the investigation take its natural course?. I find it so odd that people such as Elizabeth Miles of Bristol writes things like "Kate McCann did not do this" How do you know? None of us do so can we all move on and stop the wild speculation until a democratic countries justice system does its job. I'm quite agog at the number of broadcasters (Nick Ross in the Evening Standard yesterday for example) and other media commentators all very quick to pronouce their judgements "She definitely did it, she definitely didnt" ecetera. Cant we just admit we dont know
Greg C, London,
I do not know whether the McCanns are innocent or guilty. None of us here can say that with any certainty. Supposition and rumour-mongering are unhelpful. Opinion gets translated into 'fact': a very dangerous route to go down. Imagine yourself being on the receiving end of such injustice.
Madeleine is missing and may never be found. In such circumstances, piecing together a picture what has happened relies on robust evidence, painstakingly gathered and analysed.
The portuguese police have come under sustained criticism for their amateur and unprofessional handling of this case. The british police have been/are involved, albeit belatedly. Evidence has been analysed at a UK based, world respected forensic laboratory with a great deal of expertise. UK based sniffer dogs have been used. Experts from the UK were involved in evidence-gathering.
So the circulating theories about evidence-planting will- presumably -need to take into account the UK's role in the evidence produced to date?
elizabeth, cambridge, uk
Some of these posts have irked me somewhat. First, I am wondering why someone would take the time and energy to submit a comment which belittles others for doing the same. Second, the reason why people feel the need to express their views (right or wrong) is that this is a highly emotive situation. The thought of what might have happened to that little girl makes me sick to the stomach, and I’m sure the majority of people feel the same. I am not a religious person, but I still pray for her in my own way. Finally, I strongly believe in the sentiment ‘innocent until proven guilty’. Madeleine’s parents have been through enough, without being wrongly accused of their daughter’s murder.
Nicola, North West,
None of you would have a shred of doubt about the parents's innocence. They could confess the murder and you still wouldn't believe it. Why?
I doubt they are guilty. But it IS possible.
I'm portuguese and as I read on another article, you seem to think Portugal is a banana republic. It is not. We are a small country yes, but a proud decent one. Get real. Support the McCanns all you want, but don't come offending our country. The police is working hard, and the evidence is suspicious, not meaningless. Portugal is always kissing Britain's toes while you seem to take every chance to step all over us. It is our fault indeed. We should be prouder.
The police is not trying to frame anyone, could you please at least consider that there are bad people everywhere and (God forbid) some of them might be British.
Maria C., Porto,
The police obviously find it easier to accuse people they can see like Mr Murat and the McCanns, they need to put their efforts into finding the child or what happened to her, maybe that is too dificult for them.
lorna, McLelland, Mojacar, Almeria, Spain
Why do we not hear anything about previous hirers of the Scenic ? In a small rsort it is perfectly possible for the killer or abductor of Madeleine to have hired this same vehicle either before or immediately after committing the crime.
Mo, Inverness, UK
"lousy police forces" in Portugal and Spain? just as an example, all the responsible for the 11-M Madrid attack were arrested only few days after. Where are the responsible of the 7-J London attacks?
Jacobo, Madrid,
Our hearts go out to all the family whatever happened! Its so easy to judge especially when such a beautiful child is involved, it touch the world's heart. As a gran with my own angelic grandchildren I weep and pray for them. But I also know how easily an accident can happen with small children, so whatever happened - and I don't believe the parents are responsible for any direct misdeed, but whatever these people need to be loved and comforted. There by the grace of God goes every parent, so look at your own and be grateful.
Christa van Eeden, Johannesburg , South Africa
I am sick of people saying how wrong it was for the parents to leave the kids that night, i think we all know that was not a great idea. As a mother of 5 and a parent for 20 years i have made many mistakes some small 1 big one long ago but i was lucky and my son was fine. Do we not remember the saying "He who has not sinned cast the first stone" I doubt many of us have NEVER made a mistake as parents no matter how small. When i saw the news that Maddy was missing a bit more of my faith in human nature died especailly with all the problems on our streets.
I don't belive these parents had anything to do with their daughter going missing but if i'm wrong than a bit more of my faith will be lost.
I have a 2 1/2 yrs old and i know if anything happened to her i could not just dispose of her like a bag of rubbish and carry on with dinner!
How could anyone have worked this around police and media?
it's not right to say these people did this and show no proof. Mud is sticking.
pauline, armagh, n.ireland
Err, just to remind everyone that there are lots of other missing children, missing PEOPLE in Europe and indeed the world over. This story has had far too much airtime and is simply tiresome now.
Ben Robinson, Brighton,
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
Gavin, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The evidence reported so far is very circumstantial. Also, there was a 25 day period between Madeleine going missing and the car being rented by he McCanns- who knows who rented the car during this peiod of time. Have the police looked into interviewing all people who rented the car in the aforementioned time period?
I feel for the McCanns - I have a strong suspicion that they are being stitched up. Let's hope the perpetrator of this crime at least lets police know, even if they don't turn themselves in, that the McCanns are not repsonsible for this crime.
sandra, LA, USA
I do not see how a couple photographed continuously could have hidden a childs body then recovered it and taken it away to be concealed permantly 25 days later, it makes no sense, especially to then make sure the whole world was looking for her..
hazel wyld, freshwater, isle of wight
Unfortunately anyone who is made a 'suspect' is automatically tainted. Too many people - the police, anyone who feels vulnerable, those who like happy endings - actively want a suspect to be found guilty. It reassures people that the police are competent and can protect them, and, in this case, that there isn't a child abductor on the loose. However an enormous percentage of suspects aren't guilty, and this is most likely in the case of the McCanns. Until a suspect is charged and found guilty, everyone should always remember that they may well be innocent. No-one who is suspected of a crime should automatically be condemned - don't forget it may be you next who is accused of something you didn't do, and you will need the support of those around you. It can happen to anyone.
Alexandra Campbell, Faversham, Kent
Assuming 'bodily fluids' were found in the hire car, has anyone checked who had the car hired when Madeleine disappeared?
It would, of course, be a horrible coincidence for the McCanns to have hired the same car that an abductor used, but no doubt possible.
David Bevan, Watford,
My two year old slept through a burglar alarm going off 6 feet from his bed...... for 3 hours.
What is this rubbish about Kate McCann calling Sky News first? Smacks of someone trying to deflect blame from his country's police force's delayed reactions to me......
Gladys, London,
While the missing Maddy is a tragedy regardless of who is to blame the comments by Dom London put it into perspective when he says that 27000 children have gone missing during the period of Maddys disappearance. I have seen notices for missing children recently in most countries in Europe so collectively we are possibly talking about 1000 children going missing everyday. Even if only 1% of these are never found that is 10 a day or 365 a year. When are we going to REALLY try to stop paediophile rings such as those uncovered in Belgium a few years ago but conveniently brushed under the carpet because high level individuals were involved.
George, Glasgow, UK
The suggestion that people are being disrespectful to the Portuguese police is partly true but lets face it, they have horribly mismanaged this case.
They have constantly leaked information to the Portuguese media, to defend their tactics, that they later have to refute or minimise. For example, damning DNA evidence is now hear only an 80% match - which could be from a sibling.
They have botched this from the start. I am not sure if the McCanns did do this but the police have been culpable in creating all sorts of conjecture.
The number one rule in any murder investigation is to immediately investigate the closest people to the victim and keep tight control of all information.
Yes, we dont know for sure she is dead but they should have taken parallel steps and didn't .
Finally, the bible is little comfort when you read all the murder, rape and violence that was perpetrated in gods name and under his auspices.
Paul McDevitt, Toronto, Canada
I would agree with Tom from Uxbridge, with a big sigh.........Wherever I seem to be lately, there is always some do gooder Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot throwing in their misguided and misinformed version of who dunnit...
And, it wouldn't surprise me if Hollywood isn't preparing a blockbuster of this story as we speak...
It makes me sick. My Grandma always said "it will all come out in the wash".. and surely enough it will.
The look of anguish on Kate and Gerry's faces just churns my stommach. I lost a dog once, and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. I cannot even contemplate how they feel living without their little girl.
I hope and pray that the McCanns get the outcome they wish for. Leave these people in peace..
Louise, Mirfield, West Yorkshire, England
Echoes of Azaria Chamberlain all over again.
maron clague, auckland,
The family must be going through sheer hell. I dont think we should judge Gerry&Kate they need support and help more than ever. I am disgusted by the gutter press no doubt they have profited out of the pain of others. Please god find the truth about little madeline and give the parents a break
carol hudson, somerset, england
Could the little girl have wandered to the beach ? only 5 minutes away from the appartment complex
dianne howlett, worcester,
"And they say unto her, 'Woman, why weepest thou?' She saith unto them, 'Because THEY have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him". John 20.13.
Philip , Oxford,
Do the Portuguese police think that the parents killed the child, hid the corpse possibly in a freezer, then after two weeks moved the corpse and burried it? 99.9999% imorobable. The police inspected every nook and cranny in the apartment and other places accessible to the parents and they tailed them wherever they went!!This is a twisted Portuguese version of a Class C movie.
Carmen , San Juan , Puerto Rico
Something obvious which has not been mentioned in any news is who had the hire car before the Mccans? SURELY this is the most valid indicator towards other suspects? Why has this not been mentioned?!
claire, Bighton,
As a followup to my previous question about parents leaving children alone in Europe, I am sure there are those who might say that parents in the U.S. are more careful because of the violence in America. I can't argue with that, but most of the dangers children face are mundane, not criminal. For example, an almost-four-year-old can easily turn on the bath water and drown in the tub, or get into dangerous objects such as razors, medications, cosmetics, alcohol, matches (especially in a hotel room that is not childproofed). Since the patio doors were unlocked, she could wander off.
L. Monteros, Altadena, USA
It's very normal and very typical English to start off a sentence saying "they have .....". It's used all the time in everyday conversation to replace "someone has" , "one has", etc.
Sheila, Vienna, Austria
I agree, imagine yourself entering that apartment, feeling someone had been there, you would be saying under your breath, o my god, someones been here, omigod, the window is open omigod where's Madeleine, have they taken her oh they've taken her they've taken her.... perfectly normal reaction to my mind
catherine, strasbourg, france
Very strange case indeed. I just pray for the poor little girl that if shes alive she is well & unharmed, if dead, i pray she didnt go through so much pain.
ivan chungu, Lusaka, Zambia
Now even the DNA is questioned!
Astonishing!
I would just like to remember that Kate's first attitude was to call sky news and a priest and only after... the Police!!!
Why would she take the soft pink toy to work, near the corpses?!
Just try for a moment to see things in a different prespective...
What you don't understand is that the media filter the information they want english people to know. All these sensionalism among people is a reflex of the power the media have in manipulating people in the UK.
Ivan (Portuguese), Bournemouth, UK
What this shows is that the public is fickle. There are so many people who are willing to believe what the current favourite press story is telling them. I am not siding with the Portugese police nor am I siding with the McCanns. All I am saying is no one in the public knows for a fact anything that is claimed in the press. People who have been campaining for the couple refuse to accept new evidence and people who are out for blood are ready to accept any that proves the McCanns did it. Have your suspicions but also have an open mind.
Craig Tan, London,
Just a couple of things I still don't understand. If the traces of blood found on the (white) window sill could only have been detected using forensic methods does that not indicate that it had been cleaned off? and why did the person who claims to have been in the apartment to check on the kids not actually look in their room? how can you possibly expect people to believe that you went to a friends apartment to look in on the kids but you didn't even open their bedroom door?
Jo, essex,
why do you not do a lie detector text cause then you would be sure
berniecreevy, mullingar, westmeath
Great summary! Well done!
Joanna, Ewing, New Jersey
they should do a lie detector test with a few from the media there so they can show their innocense to everyone
r davies, tregaron, ceredigion
If I had killed my daughter, even by accident, why would I stay from May to September in a foreign country? I would have returned to England after some time, one month or 45 days maybe. If the couple stayed in Portugal for such a long time, it may be evidence that they were not thinking that one day they would be suspects of Maddy´s death.
Elaine Pepe, São Paulo, Brazil
A human body stored for 3 weeks in the Portuguese heat would have decomposed substantially. Without being blunt about the matter, it would stink.
I fail to see how an army of sniffer dogs, police and other searchers could fail to find a body, and yet it be somehow transferred by the parents from it's hiding place into the back of a hire car whilst they are under intense media and police scrutiny.
Ian, Montreal, Canada
It all just doesnt make sense... why if you killed your child would you bring so much attention to yourselves, begging the press to still search for Maddie, every thing they have done they have invited the world to watch, going to see the pope etc etc. If you killed your child surely you would crawl under the nearest rock available. Making a likeness to Ian Huntley is absurd in one week those girls were found, kate and gerry are still in the public eye 130 days later, you just wouldnt behave the way they have if you'd done such a terrible thing as is being suggested, and lastly where was Madelaines body while the whole world decended on the algarve the press and news etc watching the mccanns 24 hours a day , surely her body would have been decomposing nearby.....none of this makes any sense at all to point the finger at the mccanss...a little girl is missing and she needs to be found.
Natalie Phillpot, london,
Finally a clear and impartial view on the case, much different from what we read in most british newspapers. I agree with Claire: The PJ should have, from the start, suspected the parents. Its normal procedure. However, no one was looking for a dead child, and who would suspect them? To this day I can't believe they had anything to do with this.
Patricia, Lisboa, Portugal
whats happened to these so called psychics who claimed in the press that maddy was alive and with her kidnappers? they havent got a clue just like the portugese police, i think the parents are innocent i hope to god that poor maddy is not dead . i pray that she will be found safe .
martin baker, bloxwich, ENGLAND
It's a real pity that the missing of a young girl has be tranformed into vicious attack on the police and people of a country. The proportion of this has been planned? What is written and said in the most of the press is rubbish. What kind of sources are they? The least the press could do is to be objective and calm this hysterical nonsense. A good job in Portugal where I am we are not getting in this madness. I suppose what is sensational SELLS!!!!
Isabel, Porto de Mós, Portugal
Of all the people contributing to this issue, Eileen England's comments about new rubbish chutes in the Praia da Luz area ('big enough to dispose of a large dog'!) seems to deserve an immediate investigation by someone.
Or has it already been done??
Annie, Bath, UK
Although nobody saw Madlelaine after 6pm all her parent's friends saw her parents consistently since 8pm until 10 when her absence was discovered, save for 5 minutes when Gerry went to check on the children. Thus she had to be killed and efficiently hidden between 6-8, whilst her parents also had tome to put the twins to bed and change for dinner.
None of the friends seem to report any unusual behaviour by the parents during dinner. Bar a suggestion that both parents are unfeeling psychopaths, is it really likely that these 2 people would be sitting ther enjoying their tapas knowing they have just killed their daughter? And nobody would notice any unusual behaviour on their part?
Seems to me a non starter.
Suzie Meir, Tel Aviv, Israel
If I lost my child I would have sent my other children to the safety of my family and back to their own familiar home, not left them in childcare with strangers who may even have been involved.
Gina Partington, manchester, england
No one has all the data,about what really happen,so it's all speculation...
One thought:
Innocent,until proven guilty...
And what the media and the politicians,and the secret services of each countries are doing,is shamefull...
I can understand media,this is their business,but the politicians,i cannot...Everyone is trying to save face.At the expense of the McCanns.
Personaly i don't believe there is enough evidences to point a finger toward the McCanns.
Miguel Pereira, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Wont be going to Portugal again. Would worry that the police might bungle again and accuse me of something. Seems they have a 3rd world police force - thats scary even for the innocent. Dont believe for one minute the parents are invloved.
JAne, Bristol, England
I just wanted to say that I know nothing about this case or about murder or kidnapping in general, so I am well qualified to speak. What's that?? Oh, okay. Sorry folks, I forgot that I had promised to say something important about the war in Iraq, because I know nothing about war, military tactics and strategy, the relationship between military history and economic or political history, etc. So you can see that my views are desperately needed. I'll run over to a different article and respond and will return here shortly. The nation -- the world, really -- thanks you for your patience and understanding.
Mori Li, Pocono, Jersey
Whenever the media becomes involved in an investigation and can't get all the facts there is always speculation that ends up becoming a negative for all those involved in it. It is becoming difficult to realise what the truth is because most papers 'almost' fill in the gaps so to speak. Passing judgement on people without knowing the whole truth or facts is common place here and clearly in Portugal too. I follow the case eagerly and pray that the truth is found out and more importantly that Madelaine is found. We should not pass judgement until we know the truth.
Norma, London,
No one knows exactly what happened but whatever the truth, it is a tragedy for the McCann family - even if the parents were somehow involved in Maddy's accidental death. I can imagine that they would indeed be terrified of then having their twins taken from them and would perhaps, in their grief and confusion, go to elaborate lengths to make sure that did not happen. That's the worst case scenario - and even that doesn't make them heinous in my view. Desperate and terrified, more like. Yet the comments I have read paint them either as angels or monsters. This says more about the readers than the McCann's culpability or otherwise. Judge not that ye be not judged.
E Craig, Gourin, FRANCE
Sad story. It's probably the same bunch of people who condemned the parents right after the incident and continue doing it today. It must be a comfortable thought to assume that the parents did it. It would make the world seemingly safer. What if it is a "Belgian story"? What if her body is found one day together with bodies of missing Portuguese children? Wouldn't it be easy in this case to place some "evidence" in the couple's car? What a nonsense about the "blood". If there are traces of blood in a car hired about three weeks later the child must have been alive three weeks later. This couple with their strong will to find their daughter, alive or dead, is being turned into victims. The media should rather protect them, after they have earned so much money with the story. And after all there is another mother of a missing child in the Algarve who fights for her innocence.
Dany, Germany,
It is truly appalling that you, as a serious newspaper, invite comment from 'ignorant' commentators.
Is this what the Uk has become.... a gossip shop for the opinionated, misinformed tongue wags.
'Have your say' is inappropriate and tantamount to evil in this case.
Shame.
Derek Dean, Los Angeles, USA
(I'll try again) You write "This type of dog is trained to find bodies, not identify where dead bodies have been. Crucially, they can become excited by other scents." Well, can they indeed be excited by other scents and is there evidence for that?
philip, cambridge,
The fact that it is so hot in Portugal and bodies decompose rapidly seems to me to speak against them secreting the body anywhere. The discrepancies around the time the McCanns say they arrived for dinner and the time their friends say they arrived are interesting, surely the friends would know whether the McCanns were there first or not. As a GP Kate presumably had access to sedatives, is there any evidence that she would have taken them on holiday with her? or that she was in the habit of injecting her children. The point about the twims sleeping through the hoohas is irrelevant in my opinion because little children can be very heavy sleepers. Could someone entered the apartment through the unlocked French windows, forced open the shutters and handed the child out.? They would of course have had to have had an accomplice. Professional criminals also seem to know how to make themselves invisible, so it is not surprising that no-one saw anything.
Sue R, London, Britain
... sure, now they are saying that they tapped e-mail and phone calls to his friends. It's another evidence that they are tryiing to tappe then both. How can they do such a thing like this ?
Probably we have here a diplomatic problem to solve too...
Alfred, London,
Well , the portugese kops found a neat way of getting the Mcanns off their backs
Robin Ergis, bournemouth, UK
The portugese police have ruined Robert Murats life, people will always connect him with this tragedy and it will be the same with the McCanns
unless Madeline is found they will always be suspects. Some how it does not seem possible that two intelligent people would have created the fuss that they have if they were guilty. They could have quietly resumed their lives months ago but they did not.
E Armstrong, BELFAST,
So very, very sad to see that what lies behind all those messages or the comments on British media is a general mistrust of alliens, in this case of Portuguese police and judiciary system... Most britons still seem to despise everything foreign, even accross Europe. So sad.
Let's wait and see. We obviously get to know very, very little about any investigation (wether it be conducted in the UK or abroad) and about the evidences...
José Manuel LACLETA, Madrid, Spain
I have no opinion yet. On one hand I cannot imagine the parents (normal people as it is known) getting rid of their daughter's body after an accident. But on the other hand it is very strange to me that the mother washed the teedy bear. I see that like eliminating links with her daughter, mainly through smell in the toy. I would never have washed it and would pass it through my face and smell it to feel my daughter close to me.
Ramon, Madrid, Spain
It reminds me of the Soham murderer Ian Huntley- who pleaded for the missing girls to come home, and made public statements several times... in the end to be convicted of the murder of two little girls
Kelly Johnson, Stratford on Avon,
Francis, Bacon Quote:
Lies are sufficient to breed opinion, and opinion brings on substance.
Let us pray that this is not the case and that both truth and justice prevails. You are forever in our hearts and minds Maddy. x
Ruben, Manchester,
Obviously a botched investigation from the start. Look at the parents first, rule them out and then look further away. Any evidence that might point to those responsible was lost when there was not a detailed forensic investigation at the start.
Claire Schoeder, Marietta , GA
It's very normal and very typical English to start off a sentence saying "they have .....". It's used all the time in everyday conversation to replace "someone has" , "one has", etc.
Sheila, Vienna, Austria
Little evidence for sure - but enough for the police to bring them in as 'arguidos'. If charges are brought against them then the police would have to show more than that.
Alfonso Parelli, London, UK
According to the (UK's) Missing Persons website 210 children are reported missing EVERY day in Great Britain. So, in the 130 odd days that Maddie has been missing, more than 27,000 children have gone missing! Luckily, most are found, but many are not. While I feel for Maddie, maybe we should be asking why the press is not camped outside British Police Stations asking questions?
Of course, silly me. Kids that disappear in the UK don't usually come from white, wealthy, middle class couples.
I hope ALL missing children are found - including Maddie. And don't forget, the McCanns are under suspicion after receiving evidence collected and processed by British Forensics.
Dom, London,
"....I've seen two-year-olds sleep through a 40th birthday party complete with loud music, voices and laughter..."
well, in portuga we do not take the kids to a party like that one. Sorry but, we don't...
I advise you to review your procedures rearding kids...or one of this days UK will be a country like America...
Marins, Lisboa, Portuga
To be honest I don't know what to believe any more in this so sad story.
I look at pictures of Kate and Gerry and see them on the news with their children and I want to give them a hug and say everything is going to be alright.
Kate and Gerry - don't you owe it to your children to speak the truth rather than them learning it from the media. They aren't going to be little children forever and will learn the truth one day.
Joanna, Nottingham,
I think the British media has been very foolish to be wowed by white, professional parents who are articulate and seem to adore their kids.
The Portugese police are simply doing their job under intense media scrutiny and criticism. They are right to suspect the parents or their friends as nine of ten children are harmed by the people they know. Is the accidental death theory totally implausible or is it, in fact, far more plausible than the idea of a predatory paedophile opportunistically snatching Madeleine while she slept in a very brief time window.
The McGanns are innocent until proven guilty but we must not forget, it is not the Portugese police that is on trial here.
Haroon Abbasi, London,
have the police spoke to the local priest that the mc canns saw every day did they have confessions
john morrison, kirkcaldy, uk
I agree, my two year old slept through a 4th of July fireworks show!
I wonder how the Portugese police are going to explain how this couple managed to hide their daughter']s body, in a country they are not familiar with, outwitting them for more than three weeks. Then under the scrutiny of the world's media move the body whilst their every move is being documented. I'm not saying a parent would never harm their child but this just does not make sense.
Marie, Rancho Santa Margarita, ca
I still believe that they are innocent, even though nearly everyone else thinks they are guilty. Where's the evidence to say they killed their daughter?
Katie Manley, Bournemouth, Dorset
having lived in Portugal and Spain over the last forty years I say of both countries, they are wonderful people with lousy police forces, and absolutely keep looking for Madeleine and if you can't give the McCanns some support at least get off their back - the 'investigation' is a farce from beginning to end, have seen many similar.
gill scott gribler, fuengirola, (malaga)spain
It does seem that Jane Tanner, who said she saw a man carrying a child that night, should be more closely questioned as no innocent explanation has been brought forward.
In addition, have the building works that were going on nearby at the time been searched in case the child was hidden there or worse, dumped.
R.J.Mayson, Eastbourne, E.Sussex, England
There's clearly not enough evidence even to conclude that poor little Madeleine has died - let alone how. No body has been found.
Dried blood in the boot of the hired car is worrying indeed but inconclusive. A dead body does not continue to bleed long after death, so how did blood get into the car which the McCanns hired 25 days after Maddie disappeared?
I'd question the hire company closely and request a list of all who had access to that car as well as hirers from before Maddie went missing until her parents hired it. Ghastly thought : what if she was abducted in that car - and then weeks later her parents hired the same one coincidentally? Or maybe a twin had a nose bleed?
In the midst of all the speculation and suspicion a tiny girl is still missing. May God help her, and her family, especially the twins. No one should accuse the parents until the facts are known. They deserve the benefit of the doubt. Who'd be in their shoes? Imagine ....
H.Gosling, Carmarthen,
Is it possible the press could once more make the same horific mistakes it made during the Azaria Chamberlain case in Australia? Trial by headlines....
Rosamund , Beijing , RPC
here is my question: what are the possible reasons for someone to abduct her? i think there are two possibilities:
1. kidnap: that's for money only....so if you find your child missing and the window forced open, would you risk it to call the police straight away or would you wait a bit to see if the kidnapper would call? wouldn't you be worried if the kidnapper is only after money and when they see the police are searching they will kill the kid?
2. abducted to sell to other families: this is possible too, but why they took this 4 years' old? surely they should take the younger ones--easy to carry and easy to bring them up later, and even afterwards the police find them, the 2 years' cannot talk as much as a 4 years...
some might say they came in just to kill the kid...why???if they kill one, why not kill them all? and why bother took the body away??
i am not entirely sure if the parents did it, but surely there is something fishy going on...
tiana, edinburgh,
We will have to wait and see just what the evidence is before we comment but there do seem to be some unanswered forensic questions. On the other hand their profile does not seem that of the usual killers. Why carry out a murder in Portugal? If it were accidental why cover it up? Why create so much publicity afterwards? Surely, if they were guilty they would keep as low a profile as possible.
Paul Bartlett, Hong Kong,
I feel like I have just read a chapter from some sort of private eye detective novel, mostly fantasy, based loosely around a few factual happenings. Until the speculation ends, the facts come out into the open, none of us will know, The McCann's were without doubt guilty of leaving those children alone, but i firmly believe that is where their wrong doing ends. The pain and grief of their suffering is etched on their faces for all to see. Two year olds can sleep through anything if tired enough, and any person never mind the child's parent, would have broken down before now if they were guity of such a heinous act, intentional or otherwise.
Emotions have to come out somewhere as does the reality of guilt, these people have been dignified throughout, acting on advice given to maintain the high profile of the campaign. They do not show the incriminating body language or non- eye contact of those with a guilty conscience.Persecution of these people should stop now, let common sense reign
Sharon Burton, Hull, England
Very weak collection of evidence. It looks to me like it would be better for the tourism in the country if it was the parents, but sounds very unlikely that it was.
Why would they have made it impossible for themselves to hide, move and dump a body by creating a media circus and focus on themselves.
Beginning to sound stupid and silly and taking away from what this case is about. A lost possibly dead child.
I was nervous of the idea of going to a foreign country with my kids. After how this has been handled by authorities (even if they do manage to pin it on them) no well in hell would I risk it.
Innocent until proven guilty appears to be nothing more than words these days. If these people had nothing to do with it then it's shameful. Truly shameful....
Sean Ryan, Slieverue, Ireland
Can´t go in favour or against the McCanns but thing`s don´t seem to add up in their favour.
What seem`s very wrong is that the media from both countries are at war regarding the taking of sides.
Fernando Ferreira, Oporto, Portugal
have the portuguese police, investigated who had the same car, out on hire at the time when maddie went missing.the mcccanns could hve got the same car as the abductor. who might have rented it also.and that is how blood got in it.
charlotte, renfewshire,
Why hasn't the person seen carrying off a child come forward to eliminate himself and significantly assist one crucial aspect of the inquiry ?
What was the process of discovery, and chain of custody, of the sample from the hire car now said to be 100% match to the missing child ? Do we only have the word of the Portugese police that the sample was found in the car ?
Is it possible that the lack of rigorous process shown by the Portugese police in, for example, failing to seal the crime scene also extends to sample collection and handling ?
Ubi, Edinburgh, UK
As an Australian, I have just two words to say "Lindy Chamberlain".
Kim, Brisbane, Australia
If they're innocent why did fled to Rothley? Why didn't they stay in Portugal to clear their name? Seems to me that the hiring of Michael Caplan says it all!
Rui Gomes, Aveiro,
"Crucially, they (human remains detection dogs) can become excited by other scents."
Can they?
philip, cambridge,
I live in germany and have two small children. Although there are dozens of children missing every year I never saw a missing child poster, or door to door searches and questionings and i ceartnly never noticed road blocks or boarders being closed!! where in the world do they have these procedures?? American movies..
Joana, Karlsruhe, germany
In North Carolina we have recently had a case of an overzealous prosecutor named Nifong who made the life of the players of the Duke Lacrosse team miserable for many months with charges of rape that were finally withdrawn. He has been disbarred and recently spent a day in jail for contempt of court in failing to disclose exculpatory evidence. This is rare but it does happen. Let us not take the charges of the Portugese police as any more than allegations until some credible evidence is produce.
Wallace Edward Brand, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
If the McCanns Killed there own child, they have put on a very good act and kept it up over 4 months and have, looked after two 2 yr olds as well
Dont you think they would have broken up into pieces by now
Why dont they look into the backgrounds of there friends as close
Or the people that worked on the complex and that Bar
Europe has always had child abductors, they used to blame the Jews or Gypsies,but they cant do that now, after world war 2 if what Iv seen of the actions towards this couple in a catholic country in Europe
And the abduction of an English baby boy some years ago on Rhoads who has never been found, only familys of the Island like to make out of visitors,they showed they had money to build a property
It seems logical that they are being taken to sell, they were both fair skined not Olive skined
The McCanns are Doctors perhaps the abductors would have put the child up for ransom if the news had not taken over
England best for holidays purverts are caught
Sandra Ybert, Worcester, England
You should add another question, reported in the Portuguese press: Why did the McCanns call Sky News right after "discovering" that their daughter was missing?
Nandan Words, Boston,
Has anyone checked if the car was used by anyone while Kate and Gerry were visiting the Pope? ie friends of the McCanns
I don't think i would ever believe Kate or Gerry could harm any of their children, i feel they are being set up by people close to them. ie friends who were on holiday with them.
Follyfoot, Yorkshire, UK
Anyone who watched the heart-rending speech of Gerry McCann at the airport will draw their own conclusions as to his innocence-either that or he really is the best actor that the world has ever seen.
The actions and ineptitude of the Portuguese police beggars belief. This is an obvious attempt to deflect criticism from their own pathetic handling of the case from the very start and to effectively silence the parents-at least for the next eight months! On the basis of the flimsiest of forensic evidence-of course they will be traces of Maddy's dna in the boot of the hire car for the very reasons explained above.
No parents should have to endure what they are being put through-shame on the Portuguese Police!
Ian Mack, Edinburgh, UK
If the McCanns had killed their child that evening, where would they have hidden the body in such short time, and with so many people looking for it within a few hours?
The story in the bible that Kate supposedly read is about a parent who lost his child due to the wrath of god. It makes perfect sense for a religious mother whose child has gone missing to read this story. How this could make her a suspect I cannot possibly see.
The only story that does not make sense is the story the Portuguese police are telling. The parents are probably as innocent as poor Murat whose life has been destroyed by the unfounded accusations of this incompetent police force.
gemma, sydney, australia
If the DNA evidence in car is 100% proved to be Maddies and 100% that came directly from body then this would be damning against parents. Evidence will not be 100% and I believe that persecuted parents are innocent.
Steve S, Paisley,
Just as in the Jon Benet Ramsey case, an acciddental death leads to a single surviving spouse and a dead child. And like that case, the parents wealth allows them to avoid prosecution. Wake-up, statistically those that kill us are those that have access to us!
Alfred Gomez, Houston, usa
somethings just so fishy but cant pinpoint it? Still it could have been a friend of the Mccannns??????
Sheila, Salem, N.H USA
In Australia we remember the Azaria Chamberlain case and how her mother, Lindy, was convicted on false forensic information. Let's hope that's not happening now. My three year old fell asleep with a jack hammer being used in the next room.
Let's hope truth triumphs in the end!
Ann Daly, Oak Flats, Australia
look at the faces of those parents!! Agony and regret!! not a trace of pretence, As a lawyer dealing with hundreds of cases i have come across case where innocent people have been framed by the authorities to ease the public pressure. DNA in the back of car! Could have been from any item of the little beautiful missing girl. Or is it that it was planted in that car!! by whom ??? It is any bodies guess!
Those people are not criminals . Yes they foolishly left the kids to go to eat out and boy !they will continue to pay the price for that whole of there life.
my full support and prayer that they find the little girl one day.
mala, delhi, india
Congratulations! Finally, a serious and honnest article was written about the McCanns/Madeleine case.
Unfortunately, seems that the case goes in a directiom that nobody expected.
orlando gomes, Lisbon, Portugal
has anyone asked weather the abductors deposited the dna evidence in the car after the mccanns hired it. surely it would be the ultimate get out clause, to divert the blame to the parents. it seems more likely than the parents in the full glare of the media transporting a body etc....
ciaran, belfast, n ireland
It's refreshing that the Portuguese police are prepared to admit that the McCanns were able to hide Madeleine's body from them for 25 days and then smuggle it into a car and dispose of it right under their noses.
Trevor Trotman, Croydon, UK
This is a disgrace. I cannot believe that Kate or Gerry are
involved in their daughter missing. It is obvious from all the
photos' of little Madeleine having a wonderful time on holiday with her parents, that she is a deeply loved child.
The Portugese police are just trying to put the blame on the parents to cover up their complete incompetence at finding
Madeleine. They were useless from the very beginning, doing
far too little, far too late.
pamela lock, auckland, new zealand
There is a much greater chance of someone winning the lottery than the Mc Canns renting a car used by persons unknown to abduct their daughter 25 days previously. And people do win the lottery.
Who did rent that particular car at the time she disappeared?
John Gibbons, Galway, Ireland
The DNA evidence was found by a British laboratory. The Portuguese police are apparently responding to that. Whether they are overplaying their hand may be due to inexperience in how to interpret technology. Don't simply blame the Portuguese for being caught in all this. Besides, would the police in Britain simply disregard the evidence found by a British lab?
Robert, Los Angeles, United States
If matching DNA samples found in the McCanns hire car and their apartment (which had apparently been cleaned several times), hence the degradation of some samples aren't examples of 'evidence', precisely what are they ? The big questions are clearly how the blood spots, from which the DNA was taken got there in the first place and by whose hand.
As for 'why are the McCanns suspects?' Why shouldn't they be? If a wife went missing, police would surely have to consider the possibility that her husband might know something about her disappearance. Finally, if the police have made investigative and procedural mistakes, it's small wonder when one considers the extraordinary public pressure they've been under, much of it primarily engendered by the McCanns themselves.
Alan, Oswestry, UK
Don't be fooled by little evidence and no proof.... No one knows for sure what the police have. They only let you know what they need that you should know (de-stablizing tactics)...the permission to leave for UK may be a strategy. Someone is surely monitoring their movements and behavior. If they are in anyway connected with her disappearance they will eventually slip up.
Fernando S., Faro, Portugal
what does 80% match mean? there are 2 very different answers:
1. at least 80%, i.e. the other 20% of markers were too degraded to read, consistent with originating from the girl.
2. all of the markers were readable and 20% of the markers did not match, indicating it is not her
James, Las Vegas, Nevada
I find it difficult to understand why upon discovering her daughter was missing Kate McCann was reported to have shouted "They've taken her ".This is a very odd thing to have said,even allowing for the circumstances,and I wonder if the witness concerned is absolutely certain about this.
Mike, Dunstable, England
Have the hapless Portuguese police eliminated from their enquiries all the previous hirers of the hired car over the relevant period - 5 weeks ?
Have they actually interviewed them and checked their alibis ?
Jimmy, Nottingham, England
I pray that the parents are cleared and the case solved. What a horrible tragedy if they were involved and what a devastating effect on parents who truly should not be under scrutiny. So much like the Ramsey case...
Mark, Atlanta GA, USA
This is turning into an unfortunate media circus. Lets not forget who this is all about.
Brian , Sedona, AZ
Have the police checked the previous hirers of the car!
Perhaps by chance the McCanns hired 3 wkd later the actual car used!! Where would they put a body for 3 wks. Could be a million to one chance it Was the car. What about their friends.What about the chap who went to check on Madeleine and didnt look at her. Police should have done more thorough check on all parties known to the McCanns. Someone cleaned up - before the mother saw Madeleine was gone.
Lyn , Brisbane, Australia
I think that the Portuguese police would never dare to name the parents suspects without a strong evidence, with the consequences that it might have in Britain's public opinion.
Javier, London,
I doubt any crime has been committed by the McCanns'.
They don't fit the profile. They certainly did not murder
their daughter. If an accident occured, why not report it
as such. This is reminiscent of John and Patsy Ramsey
who were wrongly 'suspected' of killing Jon Benet. God
help the parents and Madeliene.
Philip Brennan, Piscataway, New Jersey
Calling these poor parents suspects is absoloutly ridiculous. Just by seeing what they've been through and the lengths they have gone to find poor Madeleine should be enough to see that they are simply the victims in this terrible crime. Leave them alone, and focus on finding her.
Sophie, London, UK
What if a third party was the perperator and seized a chance opportunity to leave DNA in the McCanns unattended car. What a way to shift attention. What a difficult situation to defend. Stranger than fiction.
David, Dublin, Ireland
I live on the outskirts of Praia da Luz and a friend phoned me on that Friday morning to say there was a toddler missing. We dashed straight down to the beach to see if Madeleine had curled up and gone to sleep, or maybe fallen into a hole as there were roadworks there. I first called at the Ocean Club to ask fir child's name but they they did not know. It seems there was very little happening around there and certainly nobody on the beach. Itt would have beene very easy to dispose of a child in a bin bag and down one of the many new refuse chutes .. I saw someone disposing of a big dog the other day - so very easy. And these bins are emptied regularly and certainly not examined as there are mountains of bin bags all underground. Its too late now.... why didn't the police search immediately? Why did they decide it was an abduction. How could they have been so sure? We are weary, we want closure. It is looking hopeless now but we still pray and hope that Madeline is safe
Eileen England, Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
Who hired the car before the McCanns - this latest evidence could be a bizarre twist of fate
Whodunnit, Perth, Australia
We know the portuguese are wrong - Jaqui Snith has said she is satisfied with how they are investigating the matter.
Anyway, it is obvious the Portuguese are upset by all the negative press they have received from the British.
Neil Murphy, cromer,
This is all so reminiscent of the infamous Australian disappearing child case, involving Lindy Chamberline, the mother whose baby was taken and eaten by a dingo. Criticised for incompetence, Northern Territory Police got very angry and found enough "forensic evidence", later completely discredited, to put her in prison for life, amidst the same media frenzy and disgraceful phone in "Did she or didn't she?" surveys on radio and TV , and the same merciless vivisection of the woman and her husband. All the peole with the couple at the Ayer's Rock camp site that evening were convinced of her innocence but the jury chose to believe bitchy media gossip and dodgy "forensics". A terrible miscarriage of justice that cost Linda 2 or 3 years of her life. Could that be what's about to happen to the McCanns?
anne, turin, italy
Why oh why are the British Judicial system doing so little to help one of their own!!!!! Surely as British subjects they should have had the full backing and support of British law!!! Our police should have worked with them from the beginning.
I cannot see how the McCanns could do it with the world watching every move ever since. Whoever did has been clever clever enough to hire the care before the McCanns probably with the child in it dead or alive. If the sniffer dogs are so cleverm why have they not found her?
What about cross contamination from moving possessions?
What about the closeness of the siblings DNA?
There are too many unsubstantiated claims being made with little facts to back it up.
Forget the stupidity of the parents that got them in this situation for Gods sake Britain do something to help your own before the worlds biggest miscarriage of justice happens.
Dead or alive we need answers based in hard facts
Gillian, Bath, UK
they are trying to frame you both. reading the bible is a source of comfort for you both, dont let them take that away from you.
so pleased you areback, at least the twins will be with your families, if you need to return from time, to time.
hold your head up high, you are both behaving admirably. god bless
frances, inverness, scotland
I am amazed and disgusted how the public have changed towards the McCanns. They were first prepared to hang Mr Murat from the nearest lampost and now they are prepared to do the same to the McCanns. I just hope the McCanns can forgive these people when this case is finally resolved.
Can you imagine the McCanns planning their vacation, " shall we take Maddie to Portugal and kill her " ... There are a lot of sick people out there.
Henry Ellis, BRACKNELL, bERKS
I just don't see the parents being the killers. Wouldn't they have just quietly returned home to mourn the lost but instead they have been at the fore front to keep everyone looking. There are a lot of questions left to be answered.
Jen, Texas, Texas
Not even for a second do I believe the Mcanns were involved in Madeleine's death.........
Sarah, Anaheim, California, USA
Its understandable that Madelaine's disappearance has become a talking point but i'm dismayed by the rise of the armchair detectives. I've overheard people discussing 'damning evidence' against the McCanns. Where does their information originate? Oh right. the tabloids and the 24 hour news channels.
Tom, Uxbridge, England
That's all they have? That's pretty flimsy to charge someone. Sounds like they're clutching at straws.
John, Sevilla, Spain
These parents who are also physicians have been through too much already. The reason the child hasn't been found is because the police did not know how to respond when the child was first reported missing. No Amber Alert in Portugal.
Cgertk, Troy, MI, USA
the message from portugese police and locals is clear - if your child is missing, don't you dare to attract public attention with potentual risk for the tourist business, just pack your bags and go home, if you don't want to get into even more troubles!
victoria smirnoff, london, UK
Little evidence and no proof so far.
Lewis B. Sckolnick, Leverett, MA/USA
And as for the twins sleeping through the mayhem...I've seen two-year-olds sleep through a 40th birthday party complete with loud music, voices and laughter...they sleep through anything at that age.
Jessica, Reading, UK
Regardless of all else - why haven't these parents been charged with endangerment of a child or neglect for leaving 3 small children unattended? These people are doctors - they know not to leave 2 and 3 year old alone for any length of time. Any number of things could have happened and obviously something did.
KSDallas, Dallas, Texas/USA
Kate McCann did not do this. Any doctor whose child died unexpectedly, even as a result of an overdose, would want to conduct a post mortem to see if there were implications for their other children.
Any parent who loses a child will feel enormous guilt and ask themselves if they could have done anything differently. Kate will feel 'if only I hadn't left her'. Kate needs to deal with her very natural feelings of guilt, which every Mum would feel. No wonder she has turned to the Bible. This doen't mean she had anything to do with the death of Madeleine. This isn't rocket science and quite simplistic psychology.
How could you possibly hide a body in such circumstances, or transfer it, when you were under so much media scrutiny and always accompanied by family and friends?
Elizabeth Miles, Bristol, England