Madeleine McCann: Robert Murat And More Questions
MADELEINE McCann is missing. Still missing.
But today there is news. The daily front-page shots of Madeleine’s traumatised parents are moved further within the papers to make space for the head of Robert Murat.
“MADELEINE BRITISH MAN IS QUIZZED!” says the Mirror’s front-page headline.
Robert Murat
After the speculation the paper delivers a welter of facts. Robert Murat lives with his mum. Robert Murat is in his 30s. Robert Murat lives with his mother in a villa 150 yards from the apartment where Madeleine McCann was snatched.
The Sun (“MADDIE: BRIT QUIZZED”) says Murat lives 100 yards from that McCann apartment. Like the Mirror, the Sun produces a front-page picture of “one-eyed Murat”. The Mail hears that Murat lost his eye in a BMX accident when he was a boy. The Mail says Murat lives 80 yards from Madeleine’s holiday apartment.
Murat is “stocky”. He offered to help the police hunt as a “translator”. He lives in Casa Liliana, with his mum Jenny.
The Suspect
The Sun’s Julie Moult considers the evidence. And delivers a piece entitled “stories of a fantasist”. “He always seemed so eager to get involved in the police investigation,” says the Sun’s woman–on-the-scene. “Robert claimed he had a daughter just like Madeleine and said he felt compelled to do anything he could. But to me he seemed like classic fantasist.”
The Sun introduces Martin Brunt, the crime news correspondent from its sister organ, TV’s Sky news.
He says Murat told him he’d been taken inside the McCanns’ apartment by police.
Sky news correspondent Ian Woods says he asked Murat to help him speak with locals.
“I met him and had a conversation with him. I tried to find out as much as I could about him,” says Woods, who checked out Murat’s details. “They did check out, and I left it at that for the time.”
The Mail’s Neil Sears also spots Murat. In “My encounters with a man ‘who just wanted to help’”, Sears tells Mail readers, “There was something more to the friendly expat who called himself ‘Rob’ than met the eye.”
Murat made Sears “feel slightly uncomfortable”.
But it was the Sunday Mirror’s Lori Cambell who alerted police to Murat’s behaviour, she saw as “creepy”.
Writing Wrongs
So much for investigative journalism. Questions were asked but nothing more was done. Murat is with police because he made a show of himself, because he acted as if working in an official capacity. Even though the Times says Murat was acting as “an official translator”.
So now the man in the chinos, with the glass eye, who lives with him mum and whose estranged wife, from Hockering, near Norwich, tells a neighbour “How could someone do something so terrible to little girl like that?’ is all over the papers.
Is Murat guilty? The papers produce nothing to indicate that he is. But if Murat is involved, look out for the stories of how British journalism cracked the case.
And look out for Madeleine McCann. Still missing…
Posted: 15th, May 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (1,194) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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May 15th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
lola of course the mother cant look at cameras she must feel so guilty for leaving her - not because she has sold her! how ridiculous!!
to be honest i agree with heavensabove - it is not looking good if she hasnt been found… but we must remain positive and keep praying for this beautiful little girl x
May 15th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
We must continue to pray for Madeleine and the person or persons whom have come across the need to have her as their own.
We must also pray that the person or persons whom are caring for this child will awaken soon to the reality that Madeleine must be returned to her family so that she can continue on with her wonderful life.
I pray that God will touch the hearts of those people whom can bring Madeleine back to her family and to contact the police or the church immediately. Madeleine is God’s child and we must allow her parents to do God’s work and raise Madeleine.
I pray that the person or person’s caring for Madeleine will know that all of the millions of people whom are hurting are there to forgive and provide help. God forgives always.
May 15th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
when madeleine is found im sure in time she will forgive her parents without a doubt-so if she can certainly we can.
May 15th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
I hope McCanns will never have a chance to read what “lola” wrote. Personally I think that “lola” should visit a shrink. As a parent I cannot imagine that anyone would harm their own kid that way. I pray for little Madeleine to be sound&safe, and for her soon return to her family.
Be positive keep the search going on for as long as it takes.
May 15th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
oh my god……I have read through these comments and felt a sense of pride, that is until I came across the rubbish about the parents being involved with selling their daughter to buy a bigger house and the mother hanging her head oddly and not looking into the camera!!
I am amazed the mother is even able to walk. Have you seen how frail she looks?
These poor people went for a meal one evening, leaving their children in an apartment a short distance from where they were eating and against all the odds, one of their daughters was snatched.
I feel so much compassion for the parents - how gutted must they feel? I cannot begin to comprehend.
I do so hope that Maddy is found alive and soon. However, if she has been snatched for sick reasons then I doubt very much she is alive.
We all want a happy ending to this nightmare, in reality I don’t think it will happen. We live in a society where the minority are sickos - yet we keep them alive! Why?
May 15th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Reports say this man is 33 years old. He must’ve had a hard paper-round as a kid by the look of him.
May 15th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
What a joke the British media are, even if this man is found to be guilty the realeasing of his name and the names of probably completely innocent family members before he has been charged should be a crime in itself.
The press have been sitting too long in the sun, idling and getting increasingly bitter with the restrained professionalism of the Portuguese police so unsurprisingly they magic up there own fantasy (nudge nudge wink wink) and give us a story about an innocent man (innocent till proven guilty right and a bunch of pathetic hunches.
If this man is innocent can we please hear more from the mejia student from the mirror who shopped him because he had one eye, a daughter like Madeliene and a eager to help personality, stupid cow. Of course if he’s guilty she will reckon she’s columbo and be beggin for the reward alongside her red top mates.
May 15th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
i think maddie is still alive however i think as so do others she has been taken out of the country and sold, yes maybe to a peadophile however the person who took her ovbiously had this planned well and covered there tracks as now on the 12 th day there is still no leads in there investigations or any evidence. never the less on the theory that it was “MURAT” i do agree that he seems to be trying very hard to get involved with the authorities and the parents to find there daugther offering to be a translator an act of kindness maybe or is he trying to make sure nothing would lead back to him. this could be a re-enact of the soham killings of jessica and holly. who ever has done this deserves slaying who in there right mind can see justice for taking a young child away from her family i hope they do find her alive and kicking however an ordeal like this will affect the child badly.
May 15th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
lola…i agree with you too… to a certan extent… when they spoke to the media yesterday, she could hardly breath, & he didnt let he talk for long… O_o
May 15th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I am really upset with all this my stomach turns to think what could have happened too her.
I so do hope this little girl is returned safely. I’m saying my prayers for you every night maddy****************
May 15th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I think Madeleine is alive. Don’t you think they may have done this before? Both Murat and the Mum probably immediately moved to transport her out of Portugal or some other place where $ was exchanged for her. How do the Murat’s make a living? I think the Mum is involved. However, recently, in the states several kids have been found… so maybe with all the international involvement this will be creacked and she will be returned to her parents. I believe we must stay positive. Does anyone think that there is any possibility of members of the Portuguese Police being involved in a Paedophile ring?
May 15th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
hi
i think both the parents have somat to do with it. y would educated people turn down a babysitting service then leave their 4 year old and 2 toddlers alone. it beggars belief. i believe they did this to create their own alibi, the fact they keep saying that she is safe and well to me means they know where she is. my oh believes they have sold her on to buy a bigger house and i have to say i agree that i feel they are involved in her disapperance. i also think the mother hangs her head a lot as if she is ashamed to look into the cameras.
i know this sounds harsh but its what i believe! i hope i am wrong and the little girl has wandered off and is found safe.
May 15th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
yeah… we all hope she is safe & well…
but, if it is a peodophile or more than one even, i hope shes dead, i hope she died days ago… or she will still be going through so much pain…
but thats just the worst of the worst isnt it.
as for the best of the best, i hope she is with some family who cant have kids, atleast she will be looked after-probably better than her real parents…who also know how it feels to maybe not be able to have kids…
people should see their children for what they are each day, theyr amazing little people who we should all be greatful to have, love them & cherrish them, but NEVER take them for granted!
May 15th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I think she has been sold to a childless couple also
May 15th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
I sort of agree with you Kirsty, I personally wouldn’t leave my daughter alone - I worry if she’s in bed and go out to the garden! But Gerry and Kate will be going over this in their head and feeling guilty enough as it is - they just need support.
So this Murat guy - is he the same one that was supposedly seen in a petrol station? And whats this I hear about a german woman taking pictures and acting shifty around the resort?
I seriously hope they find this beautiful little girl - its how she feels thats most important in all of this, as if she has been sold to a family who cant have children - imagine what they have said to her, something along the lines of “mummy and daddy dont love you anymore so you have a new mummy and daddy” it wouldnt take long for her to forget…. whoever has done this is sick, a poor innocent little girl - they have ruined her life.
I am praying she is found safe and well
May 15th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
QUOTE
“unsure Says:
May 15th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
I wonder if the father has anything to do with it? he seems too calm”
i did wonder this myself, as have alot of people. i was thinking, if it was me, id be a total mess, id be in te street screaming, acting like a complete nutter & so what if the police or whoever think its better to stay as composed as possible, if my child is missng, stuff staying calm!
but then i thought, well my little girl is my ONLY child… maybe they seem calm & slightly withdrawn becuase they still have to be parents to 2 others…& at age 2, i imagine theyr very demanding so…
May 15th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Jo - I’m so glad I’m not the only one wound up by that girl on Sky News last night screaching about how she was a childhood friend of Murat but that she hasn’t seen him for years. She now lives in that area, does she? If so, how did she not know he lived in that house. I’m totally confused. If Murat is guilty for hanging around and offering help then she should be guilty for this! Just trying to make a point. I am hoping every day that Madeleine is found safe. While I disagree with any child being left alone (and not just for fear of abduction - fire is my main concern) my heart goes out to her parents. They have to live with this nightmare for the rest of their lives.
May 15th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
you could be right.. he does seem to calm your not the only one to think that
May 15th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I think you could be right unsureyour not the only one to think that
May 15th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
I wonder if the father has anything to do with it? he seems too calm
May 15th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
This whole Madeleine McCann story has brought up many issues for me as a member of society.
The first is how the parent’s behaved by leaving all three children. This is going largely publicly ignored and brushed aside. I realise that Madeleine’s parents are probably racked with guilt – but we as responsible adults cannot pretend it is an okay act and okay behaviour to do so. It is NOT!! Whatever people think and believe - it is a parent’s duty to protect and to voice this isn’t unfair or cruel comment. This is the truth and thinking and believing otherwise is tantamount to collusion with people who believe leaving their children alone to fend for themself to be acceptable. If parent’s need to leave their children unattended in order to enjoy an evening out then either leave them in the care of a responsible trusted adult or take them to the restaurant. Would these people have left their car running with the keys inside? In any event – if they weren’t prepared to take their children with them – they travelled with friends (apparently equally upstanding doctors!) why on earth could they not have utilised the villa facilities and shared responsibility for hosting a dinner party in turns?
The public’s readily acceptance of this behaviour - in these circumstances is stifling, disappointing and extremely sad. I agree the time then as not to apportion blame - but take stock and stop eulogising the parent’s. I wonder - would another mother/family be looked upon so graciously if they weren’t young, smart and attractive doctors with three cute and pretty children? It’s a shame society help ‘some’ people, while overlooking their part in what actually happened, while turning a blind and disinterested eye to other members of society in the same position. Take Ben Needham’s mother for example. Why wasn’t she offered more help and assistance? What help did she get? How many times was the story run? Was people’s disinterest as a result of inadequate reporting? Was this poor reporting as a result of her being a young, single mother - perhaps disapproved of by society?
Second those celebrities offering money –I wonder why their offers of money can’t be made across the board and available to ALL missing children all over the UK or indeed worldwide? Why can’t they offer money to the homeless and desperate children walking the streets of UK on a nightly basis because they have been abused and given a poor start in life? Why don’t’ they group together and start a fund and trust for ALL children? I imagine it’s easier via the McCann story because they get instant and immediate praise – not to mention publicity of course! The press statement - called by Madeleine’s parents asking the public to fund the costs associated with a hunt for their child – to include their living expenses in Portugal at this time was curious. At the same time I am reading about people with cancer who have had to sell their house to pay for treatment.
Third - the accusations presently are being made against Robert Murat. What real and solid evidence is there for such exposure? It doesn’t matter now – because this man has been hung, drawn and quartered. If he is responsible – then so be it. What if he is not? How then does he recover his life back in this small little village in which his mother has lived for 40 years? How will his daughter cope knowing her father was a named and shamed suspect? How will his 71 year old mother cope? And the journalists who have themselves emerged out of the woodwork to say he was weird and creepy……Ah well, that’s journalism for you!!!
May 15th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
I completly aggree Kirsty. WHAT PARENTS WOULD DO THIS Not normal ones anyway
May 15th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
I mean what sort of parents would live a child alone by themselves.. especially as the child was IVF I think the parents are well and truely to blame no wonder they are feeling terrible
May 15th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
I hope maddy is alive.
May 15th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
i have a 3 year old, i wouldnt leave her on her own in bed in this country, let alone a different one, infact my next door neighbour once asked me to go round for a coffee, my fiance was at work on nights, she suggested that i bring the baby monitor with me, we lived in terraced houses, so in a way, it would have been no different to just being in a different room,
but i didnt go because it felt wrong to do that!
im not saying that everyone has to be like me or anything, im just expressing my thoughts on how disgusted i am at what they did, although it wont change anything & although i know they must be feeling so much pain, i still feel that if shes dead, they caused it!
i know they didnt make the person who did the killing a murderer…but they still will have caused her death be putting her in that situation & i think their other 2 kids should be closely monitored!
May 15th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
jo, i think you be missing a point here
madeleine is still mising and so things like this needs to be done.
its a part of life now that the media chews up and spits people out. guilty or not.
forget the media and hope for the girl to be found.
May 15th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
It is looking increasingly like what happened in soham, I hope am wrong. I feel for the parents but at the same time cant imagine how maddy must have felt when she was taken, punishing the parents isnt going to achieve anything but who was there to protect that innocent child, I just hope she is safe and well because I would hate to think how her parents are and would feel if she isnt returned.
May 15th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Interesting points re the supermarket. It does seem to me that the police should be focusing on that point as a potential crime scene. It makes me feel sick to my stomach. We’re taking our 2 very pretty daughters aged 5 and 6 to the Algarve in August and I don’t feel as if I’ll be able to let them out of my sight. That’s not an attack on the McCann’s, it’s just me. Please God don’t let it turn out like another Soham
May 15th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Saoirse - “im going to ask my teacher if im allowed to say a prayer in assembly, for maddy” - It’s a nice gesture. Shows you care, and that you want to do something. But should children be exposed to such things? And what does it teach them aside from anxiety, not to trust and fear?
For more on how the British media has presented the story so far:
The Sun Shines On Madeleine McCann http://www.anorak.co.uk/news/tabloids/173328.html
Madeleine McCann: When Will It End?
http://www.anorak.co.uk/news/tabloids/173297.html
Madeleine McCann: Increasing The Fear
http://www.anorak.co.uk/news/tabloids/173285.html
Clueless In Portugal: Madeleine McCann
http://www.anorak.co.uk/news/tabloids/173262.html
Madeleine McCann: Watching The Parents
http://www.anorak.co.uk/news/tabloids/173233.html
Show’s Over: Madeleine McCann And Entertainment
http://www.anorak.co.uk/news/tabloids/173199.html
Having An E-fit Over Madeleine McCann
http://www.anorak.co.uk/news/tabloids/173197.html
May 15th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
What would happen to the Mirror journalist if Murat turns out to be innocent?