The Police Know Who Killed Madeleine McCann - Maybe
“MADELEINE: Police: We know who killed her.”
Sadly, the Express has been relying on press releases and Gerry McCann’s blog for its investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and has no idea who killed the child.
But the police know. This is the “dramatic new development”. This is what has been “sensationally alleged”. These are the “claims”.
The Express has been reading Diario de Noticias, a Portuguese newspaper. It says: “The investigators have their hands in ‘a lot of information’ and even know who is behind the death of Madeleine.”
It goes on: “The key to the mystery resides in the friends of the parents who ate dinner together that night.”
Good to see that when it comes to finger pointing and conspiracy, the Portuguese press are every bit as able as their British counterparts.
So much for the reports in Portugal. What of the police’s latest press briefing?
The Mail’s listening in. Chief inspector Olegario Sousa says new official suspects, known as arguidos, “may” soon be named.
“Depending on the result of [DNA tests] there could be a change in the procedural position of those involved or their could arise other people who until now are not known.”
It’s as if Donald Rumsfeld never went away.
The Mail’s front page offers: “MADDIE ‘DIED THE NIGHT SHE VANISHED’.” Although it might not be true. So if you see her in a Belgian bar, Malta or Morocco, tell the police.
And tell the parents, who remain the focus of the Mirror’s front-page report on Madeleine McCann. There is the “MADELEINE PARENTS’ BOMBSHELL – WE COULD BE COMING HOME WITHOUT HER.”
Says Kate McCann: “We know we will be going back and I guess one day we will wake up and it will be right.”
This seems less of bombshell than a pained and calm reaction to the awful truth that her daughter is missing and there has been no trace of her.
And no trace of her in the family’s holiday apartment. As the Times says on its front page: “EXCLUSIVE: DNA blood is not Madeleine’s.” (You can read the same story in the Sun.)
Inside the paper: “DNA test boosts parents’ hope that Madeleine is still alive.”
This is the blood on the wall of the room where Madeleine slept, the blood that had sections of the British press aghast and appalled at those bungling Portuguese police who had not spotted it sooner, the blood that had the press speculating on her dying in the room. That blood is not hers.
The minute spots of blood discovered by British sniffer dogs are of a man from the “northeast European subgroup”. And this is a result that is “72 per cent accurate”.
But there are to be more tests. More accuracy. And more drama…
Posted: 16th, August 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (103) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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October 29th, 2008 at 7:33 am
I wonder why this is up under google news for madeleine ?
September 15th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
While I agree that nobody knows what happened for sure - except whomever did it - the Portuguese Police and the British Police Forensic leaks do make sense. The point about dying because of an overdose and blood being found is not a contradiction. A decomposing corpse leaks blood and other fluids. In the UK it is quite possible to bring charges without a corpse being found, but not in Portugal. It may be that the feeding of information to the press in Portugal - which I am sure would be contradicted by Forensics here if it was widely inaccurate - is because they can’t get a conviction and police want the details to come out. Police likelu know more than they release because they had intelligence to inspect the McCanns’ car – unless the dogs lead them to it, which was not my understanding. I just wish there was any supporting evidence of the McCanns’ story because nobody wants the parents to be the guilty party and everyone would like Madeline not to be dead. Even if the McCanns caused Madeleine’s death through negligence or callous selfishness they deserve sympathy. Nobody knows what happened, but there are no strong reasons and no known evidence to omit them from possible guilt.
September 15th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
As we are all innocent we can all point a finger?. The only one/s who know the truth is the one/s who took Maddie away. They say she was given drugs but keep going on about this blood all over the place. Do they think she was butched as well before being hidden somewhere for 25 days, O’h was that before or after she was weighted down and thrown in the sea, ‘that’s todays storyline’. I think the portuguese police are also writing the storyline for coronation street. The blood and hair etc just proves Maddie was staying in that apartment and we all know that anyway. All the hair they found in the car could have come from a hair brush or off clothing, like I said this proves nothing only that Madeline was a part of this family. Everyone goes on about the Mccanns not showing any grief, two highly professional people who deal with grief and death on a day to day basis could have adopted this composure and grieve in the privacy of their own home instead of on camera. As I recall the same was said about the royal family after the death of Diana even the young prince’s kept control of their feelings after the loss of their mother. I thought it was ‘innocent until proven guilty’ or have things changed is it now ‘lets make their lives absolute hell on earth first just in case they did it’ we can always say sorry if they didn’t and that will make it better. What if the Mccans booked their portuguese holiday through the internet putting in all their details of themselves and the children that someone could have accessed. What if someone used that information to plan the abduction of Madeline before the family had even arrived in portugal. What if Madaline is still alive somewhere, do we continue to persecute her family or try and get to the truth. Or should we just sit back and pass comment on the rubbish in the papers.
September 13th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
i think her mum did it
September 13th, 2007 at 9:53 am
There are so many things that don’t add up - and the believability of the children being in bed at 7 on holiday is one of them. Moreover, the statements from the McCanns friends and family seem coordinated and in some cases ridiculous. That the evidence has been planted is particularly silly - they (the police?) would have to had access to Madeline’s corpse. The DNA and other forensic evidence has been checked in this country and we can be very sure that it has been properly analysed. (Interpretation of that evidence is debateable at the margin, but it is difficult to explain away.)
All the evidence isn’t in the public domain, but it seems likely that the results of covert surveillance made the police search the car. Otherwise, why would they look at a car that wasn’t in the McCanns’ possession at the time Madeline went missing? So it is very likely there is more damming evidence that has not been revealed.
Moreover, there is no corroborative evidence of the McCann version. I just hope that there was some evidence to support they and their friends’ version of events.
The behaviour of the McCanns and Team McCann in manipulating the truth is what has made me increasingly have less sympathy for their case. For example, they asked for the money for legal fees, and yet when the board refused them issued a statement saying they wouldn’t ask for funds – presumably they would not have refused money if the board had allowed it – and immediately they arrived in the UK they consulted extradition lawyers, etc.
September 13th, 2007 at 9:05 am
On holiday children are most commonly seen joining in at dinner being entertained by the parents particularly as early as the McCann’s dinner was.
Consider how hard it would be to settle kids of this age excited on holiday as early in the evening as this was particularly at the child Madeline’s age. I think near impossible.
Medics however may have means to ’settle’ the children.
I have never been happy with the scenario neither from the children left unattended side or from the alleged abduction of 1 of 3 children present my experience tells me otherwise.
In this instant news age it is easy to use the hungry press to create a self pertuating spin based on what the McCann’s want to say and this could easily be abused if you had something to hide. The denial that nothing was wrong with leaving the children indicates to me big time denial. The press are up for being manipulated and law and order and justice does not lie with them.
Investigators cannot disclose what they know as somethings are only known to the culprits and this specialist knowledge may be divulged by them at some time thus indicating guilty knowledge - it aint rocket science.
The British have an innocents abroad belief when it comes to other countries legal systems this has been used to full advantage in this case.
The McCann’s may be innocent or they may be guilty of some cover up due to circumstances that went beyond them. The answer lies in the evidence that is available to the authorities and that which is best known to them. Personally I think when the somewhat audible family members go for the ‘evidence was planted’ comments I no longer respect their objectivity.
Always remember attack is a very effecient form of defence.
August 22nd, 2007 at 4:42 pm
After reading some of the posts above I feel we are nowhere nearer finding out what has really happened to this poor child . The conspiricy theories differ . I think the parents have probably given her an accidental overdose . They are protecting their future and hiding the truth .
August 21st, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Joy,
Thanks for your considered response (93) to my rather pointed question!
I’ve been trying to think of what happened in an analogous way, to see if it might clarify (in my own mind) what can be considered right or wrong as far as leaving children or whatever, and then something terrible happening to them, so bear with me on this one:
Baby Zebra is drinking at the waterhole, Mummy Zebra is grazing with the herd a little way away. Predator Alligator is honing in on Baby Zebra, targeting Baby Zebra, and wham! takes Baby Zebra under the water. Mummy (and Daddy) Zebra - and rest of Zebra herd - realise Baby Zebra has been taken and kick up a stinking huff, hoowing and hawing, and generally not knowing what to do because it’s too late.
Two events here: one of ‘neglect’ (a ‘negative’) - and one of ‘taking’ (a ‘positive’). Some people say they are both crimes (but are they equal crimes?) Some people say the first is not a crime (it is in some countries not in others and depends on what legally constitutes neglect. But it could be construed as a moral crime in any case.)
And there are those who would even go so far as to say predators need to eat too! (In which case what a sad indictment of the human race.)
I am of the opinion that the biggest crime here is that of the predator. And overall, that the story is one of sadness and tragedy. But I know many, many others would highlight the crime of the parents over the crime of the predator, as if it hadn’t been for a neglectful Mummy and Daddy Zebra in the first place, maybe, just maybe, Baby Zebra would be OK. I agree with the logic of that - but personally, I would prefer to hang the alligator and make handbags out of him!
This is written with respect to all who hold different feelings and opinions on this very emotive subject!
August 21st, 2007 at 3:06 am
Hi Joy, if I may comment here on your posting quoted here: ” I am beginning to think the McCanns deserved what they got, and my sympathy for them has totally vanished.They seem to portray that night as being a once-off terrible occurrence and we believed them, they looked like the innocent victims”.
They are innocent victims - but they did leave their kids in the villa to sleep alone while they dined at that same Tapas bar each nite (How boring that must have been - to say the least!) that is true and they don’t deny it. What they portray as a once off terrible occurance is the abduction of their daughter - not that they dined out that nite. Still, they are innoncent victims. If you cross the street in the middle of an intersection and a car hits you and kills you - are you an innocent victim? Yes - because you did not wish this on yourself. Being accountable or responsible - or not being so - does not diminish the fact that you are still victimized. If I leave my door unlocked at nite and someone comes in and burglarizes or worse yet, harms me at nite while I sleep - I am still an innocent victim - even though I did an irresponsible thing by not locking the door and leaving myself vulnerable. And that is the point that the McCanns have been making. Because they made a dumb/irresponsible/poor judgment call, it does not give a person the right to violate them and certainly not to “steal” away w/ their daughter!! A child of 3 yrs old at the time!! So, putting this in perspective, many wrongs still do not make a right. No one deserves to be so harshly punished for being stupid. And they are good parents who planned a nice trip for their family…..a Family resort - like DisneyWorld or DisneyLand - makes parents feel safe…..everything is peaches and cream. No ONE expects a predator to be lurking in the shadows on a vacation spot that’s family oriented. But here in the States - we know better now. Living in such an open society has now made us more cautious and onguard than ever…..those days are now coming to Europe and the U.K. unfortunately….the sign of the times as we say..
August 21st, 2007 at 1:14 am
Hi again, I just couldn’t help but share with you what I think one should do if one ’spots’ Madeleine. I thought about that respectable woman in Belgium, who says she ’spotted’ the little girl with a couple of very suspicious strangers, (of course it could have been another false alarm). Well this lady went and got up to call from a public phone, of course alerting the ’suspects’ and by the time she got back, they were gone! There is NO TIME to do such a thing, not even bring out your mobile phone, IF they were the abductors, even such an action would prompt them to run immediately. This is my suggestion - just walk (VERY quickly as you can) towards the little girl, no warning, and don’t give any time to her abductors to react, presumably they aren’t holding a weapon to the girl, (not in a public place anyway) and just ask very directly to her face, “IS YOUR NAME MADELEINE MCCANN?” Now if she is, hopefully she would have that split second to say YES that’s when you make a huge din and alert everyone to call the police! IF she’s not Madeleine, she will probably look confused, or not answer, or speak something else, also if she is Madeleine, you can bet her abductors would be in a panic by now when you ask that to the girl. The trick is to act very quickly, leaving the culprits no time to run away or get any signal that you are suspicious of them in any way. What do other readers think of this idea?
August 21st, 2007 at 12:53 am
Colette, not personally, but all this time I thought it was a once-off foolish and dangerous thing that the McCanns did - leaving the kids to sleep alone in an unfamiliar holiday resort room, in a town with a reputation for ‘bad hats’, if you know what I mean. You would never expect this kind of thing from 2 medical professionals, would they not have more sense? But you would have to forgive them anyway, think of the anguish they are now facing……until I read that they may have done the same thing on on other nights, that was when I felt so angry. Their complacence has resulted in this tragedy and loss of life (if Madeleine is dead). I would CHALLENGE the friends of the McCanns to speak the truth, in relation to this, they were spending the nights with the McCanns, they would know if the children were left alone on other nights, my suspicion is that they have been very very quiet, and this is because at least one other in the group was doing the exact thing - leaving their 3 kids to sleep alone with the 3 McCann children the night of the abduction! They must be thanking their lucky stars. They are being protective of the McCanns, because they don’t want to incriminate themselves.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Joy why are you “shaking with disbelief and anger”? Has their conduct affected you personally some how?
August 20th, 2007 at 1:42 am
Joy, I have posted 3 web links to articles that support my suggestion that the children were left alone repeatedly…..see posts 88 and 98 above. I will post firther links as I re-find them. I do not beleive the parents dispute this, it just isnt widely reported in the UK.
August 20th, 2007 at 1:27 am
Having just read “Phil’s” letter (Aug 19th) re the parents of Madeleine, and what had been going on during other nights at the resort with regard to their children being left alone. I am just shaking with disbelief and anger. If what Phil says IS true, and the whole world has not heard the other side of the story, then they had better hear it! (I don’t know where Phil got his source of information from). The thought of her parents having done the same thing on other occasions defies belief! If this can be verified, and the kids were left alone crying for an hour and heard by neighbours, I am beginning to think the McCanns deserved what they got, and my sympathy for them has totally vanished.They seem to portray that night as being a once-off terrible occurrence and we believed them, they looked like the innocent victims. I wish the true witnesses to this family’s movements and behaviour prior to the ordeal would speak out and let us know if the McCanns really did neglect their children on more than one occasion - it would certainly change the perspective in which everyone is viewing the case, as well as the sympathy that they are receiving. Besides, they should be charged with child negligence.
August 19th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
And here are other links saying that the children were regularly left alone. Interestingly, the reported distance between appartment and where the parents were enjoying their child-free evening vary markedly in the press from 30-120 m. On one night (it is alleged) they were away from the complex entirely (I will try to find reference). However, the bottom line is, they couldnt see the appartment from where they were, nor hear the children. It’s really not like having a barbie in the back garden, as some have suggested. Indeed, when having a barbie, one would expect responsible parents to secure the doors and windows at the front of the house, make sure they can see the back at all times, and that they can hear small children inside should they wake. Common sense, or am I being unreasonable?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=453049&in_page_id=1770&ct=5
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=453049&in_page_id=1770&ct=5
August 19th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Hi James, I have read hundreds of newspaper reports and websites overthe past few weeks and it would take me a while to dig out all the references. For the most part, there has not been a major focus in the UK press on the McCann parents and the events that preceeded the abduction. The information is out there, but hard to find, partly because in the UK, editorial sympathy is (for the moment) with the parents. Google News is a good source of the less obvious links. However, for a starters, here is a recent report which includes comments from a neighbor. Parts of this were actually reported a while back. Pay particular attention to her description of the children crying on at least one previous occasion, at what time it happened and for how long. She includes other reference to a break-in. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/16750/Widow-with-vital-clues-was-never-questioned-
Some of the comments associated with this post allude to other reports I have seen over the past few weeks and I suggest you take a look. I will see if I can re-find other articles. There are other very “interesting” reports out there regarding the McCann’s, which I believe are too speculative to repeat here. Personally, I think it uinlikely that the parents were directly involved in the abduction, as others have suggested. As I said above, for me, the key point now is the attitude which allowed these very small children to be left alone in in the first place.
August 19th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Phil - can you provide a reference as to where you got the information in the entry above? I’ve not come across this before - despite looking at lots of articles on this subject I’ve never heard anything like this.
August 19th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
It now seems most probable that Madeleine is dead. Hopefully, the police will establish exactly what happened, but we may never find out for sure. For me, the big question is what must now change as a consequence of what happened? If nothing is learned from Madeleine’s disappearance, then the tradgedy is compounded. Many have defended the McCann’s, who are doubtless traumatised by what has happened. However, unless there is a very clear focus on the events that led to Madeleine being vulnerable to harm, then we learn nothing and similar events will surely happen again.
Although not widely reported, it appears that the McCann’s and their friends repeatedly left their children: it was not a one-off event. Recent reports from a neighbour suggest that the children could be heard crying, on one occasion for more than an hour, before the McCann’s finally returned late at night. Other reports suggest that although they were relatively close on the night Madeleine disappeared, on other occasions they deserted their children whilst partying much further afield. During the day the children were put in a crèche. Incidentally, it is reported that the McCanns were specifically told about childcare facilities at night, because others had heard their children crying. It is also reported that the person running the crèche warned them about burglaries in the complex. Irrespective of what we may come to find about Madeleine’s fate, it is essential that the truth be known about the behaviour of the McCann’s prior to her abduction and that there is a full and proper debate occurs on what is and is not acceptable parenting in such circumstances. To me, if these reports are true, then the McCanns are guilty of the most serious act of negligence.
If you do not agree with me and would rather we focus on Madeleine and shower sympathy upon the McCanns….imagine for a minute standing as an invisible observer outside the McCann’s apartment in the nights before the abduction. It is 10.30, you hear the sounds of children crying for their parents from the apartment. People walk past and stare in the direction of the sound….night after night. Most of these people holidaymakers who are concerned about the sound of crying children. However, as with anywhere else in the world, there are also those with more sinister instincts, for which the cries serve as an invitation.
The McCann’s have said in their defence that “they also needed a holiday” and that they felt it entirely acceptable to leave their children unattended for prolonged periods. This attitude is extremely disturbing. If the children were dumped in the crèche all day and then dumped alone at night, then I suggest that this is not the behaviour of normal, caring, responsible parents. If I am out of step, and this attitude and behaviour is commonplace within the UK, then it needs to change. When on a family holiday, it is appropriate to look after your children properly and to spend time with them. If this is news to you, you should think long and hard about what has happened here.
In my view, Madeleine McCann did not deserve what happened to her, but at the same time, the McCann parents did not deserve Madeleine. This should be debated openly and the facts investigated fully within the UK, or we will be discussing the same thing all over again in years to come.
August 18th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
marcelle hall, who has even come close to suggesting that???
August 18th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
What I think the parents of Madaliene,should go back to England,Sale there house first?and to start to buy a new house at home.like that it will be less painful for theme? to restart a new life of 4.
August 18th, 2007 at 5:34 am
mesg 10. “Where is the handbook on how a father should behave when his daughter is abducted, probably dead? It’s not in my local library.”
Well judging from past experience, they usually do some press releases organised by the police in the hope of getting some information, and/or go through Crimewatch UK and/or an equivalent in several relevant countries.
Unfortunately, they’re not the first parents to have their child go missing, and they wont be the last. But I don’t recall anyone else in their situation orchestrate as much media hype.
For example, I dont remember Winnie Johnson (Keith Bennetts mother) having an audience with the Pope, whistle stop tours of Europe and the US, or sell money spinning wrist bands while assembling a media machine that Ally Campbell would be proud of. (None of which is actually going to help find Maddy)
Its clear to see that every single interview with the McCanns has been micromanaged, they even finish off each others sentences for crying out loud. I havent seen production this meticulous since Fawlty Towers.
I’m hacked off with folk having a go at the apparently bungling Portuguese police, lets not forget that the biggest bungle made in this state of affairs, which is made all the more tragic for being completely avoidable, was the one that involved leaving 3 kids with a combined age of 7 on their own.
Surely that is tantamount to gross neglect, not neccesarily for the fear of some pervert breaking in and abducting the kids, but because of young childrens inability to recognise basic dangers, the very reason why just about every parent of a toddler says that they cant take your eyes of them for a single minute.
August 17th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
But I am NOT her…………
August 17th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Colette….We’ll have to wait for the anaesthetic to wear off before Cuddle Cat can possibly address her apparent identity crisis. The hospital spokesman said he looked under the bed sheets but results so far were “inconclusive”. I just hope she gets her voice back at some stage and is willing to talk to us……
August 17th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Mods and Admin
Even though Cuddle -cat is a toy , because of several complaints we have had to ask that her online creator keeps her safely in a her pet carrier, until such time she is no longer sub-judice, and then she can meiow freely.
August 17th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Martin, even though I think Cuddle Cat looks like a pink hippo, I too miss her.
I hope she doesn’t scratch my eyes out for saying that!
August 17th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
The castle of bungling made up of bricks from the McCanns to the media to the police. Turned into a world-wide circus.
On a serious note, where are the experts who can profile criminals? Or is it a question of police ego bunging this investigation up? Refusing help because it makes them look bad?
Madeline has been let down badly from the start and it’s for her I feel sorry. I’m a parent and it this happened to me because of my neglect I’d be ashamed of myself. Research shows that many children who are abducted are murdered within the first 3 hours. Sad to say, but we live in a sick world. Compassion among those with a evil heart will never be found.
So enough of the bungling, chaps, and get the job done, even if it gives closure to the McCann’s.
August 17th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Cuddle cat has had her tongue ripped out by the powers that be- not that she was saying much (secrecy laws, you understand). She is currently undergoing reconstructive surgery. Not sure she’ll ever..ta…lk..a….gai…..n. We’ll know in good time. Maybe a hospital spokesman will enlighten us as to her progress at some point…..
August 17th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Chopper - see posts #30 to #56
August 17th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
The mention of Freudian slips earlier seems to be based upon a myth. (Kinder) There was a thread in Yahoo Answers saying Kate McCann had made a Freudian slip in saying in an interview (alleged to be in several papers) she would never return home even with Maddie as it held so many bad memories. The correspondent said this showed there were problems at home, and this meant that the McCann’s behaviour toward their children was suspicious and so they were suspects. This was attributed to a Freudian slip as well. When nobody could find the article the original correspondent was asked to provide a link. Eventually she did to an article in the Independent - http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/article2836182.ece.
That interview said just the opposite of what was being alleged - she said that she couldn’t return home without Maddie there because the house held so many happy memories, and she talked about how Maddie had chosen her bedroom decorations in pink.
But that was after many people had read it and badly judged the McCanns and a myth started. Can Kinder please provide the reference to the interview he/she reports. It should always be the case that if quoting something the reference should be given.
Two additional points.
Letting children stay up late on holiday. Rochester (the Restoration Poet) gave my favourite quote on child care. ‘Before I was married and had no children I had six theories about bringing up children. Now I am married and have six children and no theories about bringing up children.’ (Paraphrased before you ask for the reference for the quote!) When on holiday it is for the children - they stay up late as they are having a good time. I think most parents do. In fact, I (a single parent) stay up later than I would like so they can stay and play/socialise with their holiday friends. I would not judge anyone else who thought differently, if they were doing it for the children’s interests. Certainly I would not blame anyone for having a babysitter. I would not do the same as the McCann’s, or apparently their friends with whom they holidayed, in living the kids in the room, but I’m not perfect enough to say that they are wrong. The point made that the leaving the children was wrong has been aired enough is right.
Lastly, I cannot stop being fascinated by Maddie’s fate. I look for news a few times a day. I suspect many others have similar focus on the poor girl’s fate. If we are stressed and concerned by this how must the Mccan’s feel
August 17th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I have obviously completely missed what this Cuddle Cat thing is all about?
Can anyone explain please.
August 17th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
BBOOOOORRRING !!