Madeleine McCann: Michaela Walczuch At The Door, JonBenet Ramsey And Metodo 3 ‘A Pup’
MADDY WATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
SUNDAY MIRROR: “Did they want my girl?”
Karen Sixsmith is in conversation with the Mirror. It is an “EXCLUSIVE”. She is in an apartment at the Ocean Club, Praia da Luz. It is a month before Madeleine McCann went missing
A woman knocks at her door. She claims to be a Jehovah’s Witness. “German-born” Michaela Walczuch is a Jehovah’s Witness, or has been. The “mysterious woman” at the door is with a man.
Says Sixsmith: “It was a blonde woman, 35 to 40 years old, English-speaking. She had a pamphlet and I knew straight away that she was a Jehovah’s Witness. She asked if she could come into the apartment to talk about her faith. I took the pamphlet from her and closed the door. I now think it may have been Murat and his girlfriend”
Michaela Walczuch is 34
Karen has a daughter called Kate – “Kate is strikingly similar to Madeleine…Kate would have stood out a mile with her blonde hair and blue eyes - just like Madeleine”
Says the Mirror: “Her testimony - given to the Sunday Mirror so we could pass it on to the McCanns’ private investigators Metodo 3 in Barcelona”
NEWS OF THE WORLD: “Snatch bid last year at Maddie flat”
“A man tried to kidnap a child at the same apartment Madeleine McCann vanished from SIX MONTHS before she went missing,” says a British nanny who “caught the pervert trying to climb in through the ground floor window while a baby slept inside”
DAILY EXPRESS: “BABYSITTER SAW WINDOW MAN”
A source says “A babysitter has given detectives a statement in which she claims she caught a man trying to climb in through a window of apartment 5A – the apartment later occupied by the McCanns”
THE PEOPLE: “SICKENING SMEAR CAMPAIGN - FAMILY’S EMOTIONAL PLEA FOR MISSING DAUGHTER’S RETURN”
“Cops spent days investigating a theory the couple did it because they were desperate for cash”
It is a “sickening smear” making headlines in Portuguese paper 24 Horas
“NO QUIZ FOR MURAT LOVE” - Tuck Price, “a pal of German born Walczuch”, reveala: “I know for sure she’s been going to her Jehovah’s meetings and I know for sure the police haven’t contacted her. If this was true I’m sure the police would have been on to her”
“Find Maddie and give us a miracle for Christmas..” - “Maddie’s grandfather Brian Healy revealed how the family are convinced that she is alive and how they are now hoping for the ultimate Christmas miracle.” Says he: “We will all buy her a Christmas present and they will be under the tree waiting for her when she comes home”
GLASGOW SUNDAY MAIL: “Fury Over ‘Maddie Sold’ Slur”
An “outrageous slur”
A source says: “For several days the judicial police team investigated the possibility that the child had been sold by her own parents because of financial difficulties”
DAILY STAR: “MADDIE: 10 NEW SUSPECTS”
“Spanish investigators hunting for Madeleine McCann have narrowed their search to a hit list of ten paedophiles, we can reveal. Detectives working for the Metodo 3 agency are blitzing locations in Europe and Africa to find the known sex offenders”
Why this ten? Why ten?
Says Clarence Mitchell: “We have every confidence in Metodo 3. They can get to places faster and work quicker than anyone else and have the capacity to work worldwide”
BURNLEY EXPRESS: “Girls’ symbolic silence for Madeleine McCann”
Chelsea Gallagher and Gemma Lee, both 13, raised £450 for the Madeleine McCann Fund with a sponsored cuff-and-silence.
“For an entire school day, Chelsea and Gemma, 13, were handcuffed together and remained silent.” Says Chelsea: “The handcuffs symbolised the people who will be caught, and the silence because we haven’t heard anything about Madeleine”
DAILY TELEGRAPH: “Madeleine McCann: is there no hope left?”
“Bristling with bravado before the television cameras last week, Francisco Marco, the portly boss of the Spanish-based detective agency Metodo 3, sneeringly dismissed the Portuguese police investigation into the disappearance of the couple’s daughter, Madeleine, as ”bumbling”, and boasted: ‘’We know who the kidnappers are and we are very, very close to catching them.’ Off camera, he admitted: ‘No, I can’t disclose any more yet. But I will be proved right.’”
Marco will get his man. A PI always does. Sign the contract. Pay the fee…
A source “close to” the McCanns says: ”The harsh fact is that they were pinning their remaining hopes on Marco’s outfit when they hired them on a six-month contract in September. But, in the past few weeks, they have conceded that they might have been sold a pup. There’s no doubt they’ve worked round the clock, but they don’t have a lot of experience with this type of investigation”
But there are for months left on the contract…
THE GUARDIAN: “Panorama walk-out over McCann film”
“Why did TV journalist David Mills, the producer of a Panorama film on the McCann affair, quit the project before it was transmitted last week? The Observer’s David Rose reveals the inside story of the latest row to hit the BBC’s flagship show”
Sensationalism? Tabloid journalism? Crime as entertainment?
Mills wrote a script. It was not used. “His original film would have compared Madeleine to the JonBenet Ramsey case in Colorado, about which Mills has made three previous documentaries. After the body of JonBenet, a child beauty pageant winner aged six, was found in her parents’ Boulder home, they were vilified by the police and media, despite their continued insistence that they had nothing to do with her death. They claimed she had been killed by an intruder…Years later DNA evidence proved beyond doubt that JonBenet had been killed by an intruder. John Ramsey told Panorama: ‘It’s a life-time damage. No question about it.’”
Posted: 25th, November 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (680) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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November 25th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
“Thanks for that very useful admission, Eric. It’ll help me rapidly click past and ignore all other posts you may make on this forum. And you’re happy to let an incorrect fact stand on Wikipedia - indeed, you’re actually proud of it. No further comment is necessary”
Tony, with respect, that it is just the sort of dissnissive, polarised and crass comment I would have expeted to hear from James Wale who you were ripping into yesterday.
If you must know, my main passion being football, I wrote a cheeky but untrue statistic on a rival football club’s entry. It is patently obviously a joke, as it couldn’t possibly be true but was intended as a wind up.
Hardly an offence to be sent to the Tony Bennet Tower of London for is it?
But that wasn’t the point. The point I was making was that if something as obviously erzazts as this remains unedited, how can you trust the accuracy of any entry with confidence?
But you chose to ignore the main thrust of the argument which some might say is a little blinkered, which some might go onto reason is a trait of yours.
November 25th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
104 Andy - yes and last year the kids ‘blissfully’ opened their presents and Madeleine had a Barbie which was pink, as its her favourite colour.
She’s a four year old girl. She had a pink Barbie. Dont they realise there are one or two other little girls in the world who might have had a Barbie and that pink might, just might, have been the featured colour?
Are they trying to make us sick?
Maybe they shouldnt have taken advantage of the blissful innocence of their little children and abused their responsibility toward tem. Then maybe we might not have ever heard of Gerry and kate McCann, who no doubt will end up on a new tears honours list one day for their contribution to child recovery. Not likely that they will ever get an award for parenthood. Losing one is usually a bit of a negative. I am so sick of hearing about their little perfect world where children barely able to say single words are attributed long and in depth Disney dialogue and soliloqies.
Look at this picture - makes me sick to my stomach - how can they use this!
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91210-1294233,00.html
November 25th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Firestar I believe her approved FBI generated sketch of which she approved,shows no blanket if it was there why omit it in the sketch.
November 25th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
95
Eric
The media is in the business of selling product…when they sense the story is dying, they introduce a new product..
November 25th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
from what i can see there’s nothing to show jane tanner changed her story from a blanket to pyjamas either, only unquoted sources.
November 25th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Christmas onslaught has started
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91210-1294233,00.html?f=vg
‘Just Another Day Without Madeleine’
November 25th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
102
But then, he has the world’s best intelligence system at his disposal - the confessional!
would suggest the pope is entitled to know what was confessed to the priest.
he isn’t.
November 25th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
93 Ian says (November 25th, 2007 at 12:32 pm): “All sounds like a falling out amongst ‘thieves’”.
REPLY: Don’t tell Totje. She got a bit upset when I told her yesterday that villains choose other villains to help them out. They fall out eventually, of course - furiously blaming each other whenever something goes wrong. The Pope was hugely wise to delete the ‘Find Madeleine’ stuff from the Vatican’s website 48 hours before the McCanns were hauled in for questioning by the PJ. But then, he has the world’s best intelligence system at his disposal - the confessional!
November 25th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
88 Dot.
Tell me, do you believe that Tanner saw the abductor at 9:15? That Gerry last saw Madeleine at 9:10?
If you do, then there is 5 minutes when an abdcutor could have either entered the apartment or emerged from his hiding place in that apartment and taken Maddie (and all the other things he has been said to have done).
Do you think that Gerrry suggested an abductor might have sedated the twins to explian why tey slept through all the commotion of the night of 3rd to 4th of May?
November 25th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
even as an anti mccann i don’t believe this bollocks.
99
She said very clearly - it was in a number of newspapers - that she had had to get approval from ‘The Circle’.
so jane tanner colludes with the circle, then announces it to all the papers?
shureley not.
or is itmore likely one paper invented the ’story’ and the others copied it verbatim?
i think people are being very selective on what they chose to believe of the news coverage.
if it suits them, it’s true, if it doesn’t its spin.
November 25th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
88 Dot - from Team McCann - says (November 25th, 2007 at 12:25 pm): “The evidence of the McCann friends is clearly unrehearsed and MINUS COLLUSION…”
REPLY: Um, Dot dear, have a look at what Jane Tanner said about appearing on the Panorama programme. She said very clearly - it was in a number of newspapers - that she had had to get approval from ‘The Circle’. The same people who agreed their sinister ‘Pact of Silence’.
And who exactly arranged for Jane Tanner to sit for hours with an F.B.I. ‘forensic artist’ producing a manifestly-invented drawing that was publicised 6 months too late to be of any use whatsover?
Detach yourself from Team McCann and the associated brainwashing you are clearly receiving
November 25th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
97 - NO BECAUSE OF THIS !! Eric Voglin wrote: “In fact there is an entry on another matter [on Wikipedia] which has remained there for a period of four months. And I know it’s false, because I wrote it!”
November 25th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
just_me Says:
November 25th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
90 - Tony - What a timewaster Eric Voglin is!
WHY BECAUSE I CHALLENGE HIS OPINION? POOR POST.
November 25th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Eric Voglin 27
You may be right that they were so involved in having a good evening that they just didn’t bother to check, especially as they were imbibing large quantities of liquor, which would quell any anxieties they had about leaving the children. But I don’t think this is the case. If they just wanted a good evening, unbothered by the children, why not get the kids to sleep, make the flat as safe as possible eg turn off appliances etc, carefully LOCK UP and close the windows, then go off? (I am not suggesting that anyone should do this, but for people who don’t seem that bothered anyway, it would be the least troublesome method.) Their explanation about fire risk is rubbish - as the McCanns admitted, the children couldn’t open the doors so how could they have got out anyway? And someone could easily have broken into the flat in the event of fire - if smoke had been seen etc - with just as good a chance of rescuing the children.
So why would they have left the doors unlocked? As Tony Bennett previously said, they didn’t admit to this straightaway - only after they couldn’t think of another way the “abductor” could have got in!
Also, even if they weren’t checking as many times as they professed, we do know that Gerry was at the flat at 9.05 and verified that Madeleine was there then. Then, according to the aerobics quiz instructor, O’Brien left the table for half an hour to go back to the apartment block so whatever way we look at it, there appear to have been comings and goings, limiting the opportunity for an abductor. Of course, this is all speculative as accepting any of timings depends upon what version of the “truth” one accepts.
November 25th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
73…Rationalist
Indeed, that is the nature of the beast.
But still doesn’t explain how their very supportive articles generally
of the McCann case have failed to alter public opinion…and seem to have
turned it the other way.
Tin hat on here but do you really think the media have been pro McCann. My view is the Mirror has consistently but the others have bent like the wind and for a certain period, particularly the Star, Mail and Express have been really anti. Only now when there is very little new stuff to splash are they appearing to take the abductor theory to extraordinary extremes.
November 25th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
90 - Tony - What a timewaster Eric Voglin is!
November 25th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
74 Leslie.
Serious investigative journalism from this Mills chappie who was going to compare this case with that of the child beauty queen, where the parents were later proved to be innocent?
All sounds like a falling out amongst ‘thieves’. I mean, the broadcast show was hardly investigative journalism - all home movies and that Corner ‘clever dick’ with his stupid ‘fly on the wall’ home movie crap (ooh look, they are just like us, they have toys on the floor- heartbreaking seeing Gerry searching for his daugher - on his bloody laptop!
The alternative was a comparison with a case where the parents were innocent. Oh right, so that would have been unbiased wouldn it!
This looks like it has more to do with ego’s than any kind of real journalistic investigation. Why everyone thinks the McCanns are being given a hard time by the press I have no idea, I have never seen such keeness to support suspects in a criminal investigation. Why isnt any newspaper uncovering the backgrounds and complex interconnections between McCanns and politicians like Brown and Milliband (where did this ‘Milliband’ emerge from? Gives me the creeps). Low life radio presenters like LBC’s James O’Brien and self publicists like the allegedly plagiarist JK Rowling and barrow boy Branson and Jehovahs Witness salesman Brian Kennedy (who knew aho he was before he saw his opportunity?) all flocking to defend self confessed (though responsibility avoiding) child neglectors - whats it all about? Its an od thing that we havent had Bono arranging a concert yet!
November 25th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
81
Matt
They haven’t always been supportive….they have jumped on every sensational report and repeated it, even contradicting themselves in the same paper!!.Watch…public opinion will swing again if they have enough dirt on Murat’s girlfriend. for example…doesn’t matter if it’s true…Some people don’t come across very well in the public arena, they may be innocent, but the press will jump all over them if they sense a sensational story….
November 25th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
tony bennet sums it all up on video.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NPiGJBHVadA
November 25th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
46 - Eric Voglin wrote: “In fact there is an entry on another matter [on Wikipedia] which has remained there for a period of four months. And I know it’s false, because I wrote it!”
REPLY: Thanks for that very useful admission, Eric. It’ll help me rapidly click past and ignore all other posts you may make on this forum. And you’re happy to let an incorrect fact stand on Wikipedia - indeed, you’re actually proud of it. No further comment is necessary
November 25th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Good morning one and all.
I have to admit to being a lurker here, but only I might add since the McCanns were declared arguidos, but that said I do pop in for what has now become my daily fix.
I have no ulterior motive or third party interest in posting the link below, but what with today’s mention of Jon Bennet Ramsey I thought you might find it of interest.
In spite of appearances I am not an avid reader of crime forums, the link does however open up a comprehensive forum relating to the Ramsey case, and I notice, although I have yet to explore, there is a forum for the McCann case.
Peace.
http://boards.crimelibrary.com/forumdisplay.php?f=305
November 25th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Since when were bishops an authority on what should be done with money? They live in the lap of luxury, none of it earned.
The evidence of the McCann friends is clearly unrehearsed and MINUS COLLUSION
Considering that the lunchtime wine imbibing Amarel was in charge of the Madeleine case from day one, how was his blood alcohol level while on duty? I’d say to the PJ.” Judge not lest ye be judged”
He was certainly overheard fantasizing over his four hour binges loosely described as lunch breaks.
There is far too much ” Do as I say and not as I do” gone on without a shred of evidence. Hearsay is a dangerous animal. Today we have a Portuguese lawyer rabbitting about Portuguese law clearly without a clear view of wha occurred in the Madeleine case. We still have people saying Kate ran back to rthe Tapas Bar. A waiter with nothing to gain has stated that Kate McCann shouted the alarm from the balcony of the apartment. The behaviour of the McCann and friends has been reported by another waiter as quiet and not at all like some clients. I say get off the backs of the McCann’s . The abductor must be laughing his or her socks off at the attention being focussed away from him/ her or they as the case may be
DOT
November 25th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
78 just-me
From what Wilkins said I got the impression he was saying they met in the alleyway (probably the one that runs under the balconies) as it was so narrow that he would deffinately have seen Tanner. If as the reconstruction shows they met in the road then it’s quite possible to have not noticed each other. To me Wilkins seemed quite certain where they met & I can see no reason to doubt him.
Just another discrepancy!
November 25th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Sorry Ian it wasn’t my post as such,it was printed in that tablet of truth the Daily Mail as their lead story on 25/AUG/2007.
November 25th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Time for a pub lunch…Good sleuthing !!
November 25th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Tony Bennett - That report about the British tourist who was expelled after offering rewards to claim a sighting was on Gazetta Digital. I can’t remember the date.
November 25th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
25 Stevie.
In your post there are there are the usual inconsistanies (not your fault I hasten to add!). Tanner says she saw abductor, Gerry and Wilkins at the same time in her most recent and as yet unchanged account. She was walking toward her apartment and the time was 9:15. Gerry last saw Madeleine at 9:10. The incresingly infamous 10 minute window of opportuity. I’m getting very boring repeating this but feel that it provides a fixed point essential in the chaotic maelstrom of information and more importantly misinformation which is the hallmark of this case.
Only ten minutes after she returned to the bar, her ‘partner’ O’Brien went to check their kids again and found the one of Madeleins age ’sick’ - somehow he found ‘a friend’ who ‘fetched’ Jane Tanner and she returned to the apartment. To me this is the most singular part of the evening. How did O’Brien contact this ‘friend’. Why is this ‘friend’ not named? If he used a mobile, why did he not call those still at the bar, which included Jane Tanner? Why did he go to check his own children only ten minutes after Jane had already checked them? Why did he and Oldfield both go to check - why didnt one check all - its seems that everyone checked the mcCanns children, so why didnt the McCanns check the others too? Was their something special about the McCanns apartment - it certainly seems to have been the most visited that night - why was it accessed from the rear via the patio doors - yet Tanners apartment was approached from the front?
November 25th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
79
Matt. Says:
November 25th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
70…Fair
Well, Mr Wilkins seems to be quite sure where he was at that time.
Maybe that is why Tanner’s position (physically) tends to change. And, Tanner,
is after all, an Independent Witness according to Dr G P McCann.
—
Seems to me that Mr Wilkins is one of the very few, if not only witness to be impartial/independent. He had nothing to win or lose by stating where he was at which time …
November 25th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
73…Rationalist
Indeed, that is the nature of the beast.
But still doesn’t explain how their very supportive articles generally
of the McCann case have failed to alter public opinion…and seem to have
turned it the other way.
November 25th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
(77) That word “psychosomatic” in my post should be, just that…not with the the ‘o’ left out after “psych”. Also, Christoph, if you are still around, just look the word up in your dictionary. It gives a full explanation of what is totally accepted, even in the traditional medical world.