Express today: Madeleine McCann she is alive

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/316564/Madeleine-McCann-She-is-alive

MADELEINE McCANN could be alive and in the clutches of a kidnapper, Scotland Yard detectives claimed yesterday.

Renewed hope that Madeleine will be found emerged as a haunting image – showing how she might look on her ninth birthday – was released by police.

Parents Kate and Gerry said they “hoped and prayed” the photograph could provide the breakthrough which will reunite them with their daughter after five years of agony.

As she gazed at the picture, Mrs McCann revealed she could see Madeleine in the image as well as herself and her two other children.

The picture was released as the head of the Scotland Yard team reviewing the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance said they have identified 195 potential new leads and want the case reopened.

Although police cannot rule out the chance that Madeleine is dead, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood said: “We genuinely believe there is a possibility she is alive.
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We genuinely believe there is a possibility she is alive.
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Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood

“Following a forensic analysis of the time line, I am satisfied there was an opportunity for Madeleine to be taken as part of a criminal act – abduction by a stranger. There are cases where young people have been taken and found alive years later.”

Madeleine vanished from a flat during a family holiday in Praia da Luz on Portugal’s Algarve coast on May 3, 2007. She was just three at the time and will be nine on May 12.

As a result of the success of the Yard’s review, pressure is now on the Portuguese authorities to formally re-open the investigation into her disappearance which was “archived” in 2008.

David Cameron is being kept up to date with the progress of the Yard inquiry.




The review, codenamed Operation Grange, was launched in May last year after the McCanns urged the Prime Minister to intervene.

The Portuguese Policia Judiciaria set up its review team in March. Mr Redwood and his squad, who have made several visits to Portugal and Spain, are working closely with them.

Yesterday, the head of Operation Grange made a direct appeal to anyone who was at the Mark Warner Ocean Club in Praia da Luz between April 28 and May 3, 2007 who has not been spoken to by Portuguese or British police to contact the Yard.

Mr Redwood said his 37-strong squad is now a quarter of the way through a painstaking examination of 40,000 pieces of information, making up around 100,000 documents. So far, 195 “investigative possibilities” have been identified along with genuine, new information.

Mr Redwood declined to go into any detail but described it as “filling in gaps”. One of the gaps was a failure to trace and interview all the holidaymakers rather than just the British.

The background of staff and former staff who knew the layout of the resort is not believed to have been adequately checked.

It is understood police are basing their belief that Madeleine may still be alive on more than an examination of the time line leading up to her disappearance.

More potential leads are set to be uncovered during the inquiry which has so far cost £2million.

Mr Redwood said: “From the outset we have approached this review with a completely open mind, placing Madeleine McCann at the heart of everything we do.

“We are working on the basis of two possibilities here.

“One is that Madeleine is still alive and the second that she is sadly dead.

“Based on the former, we are releasing the age-progression image today with a specific appeal.

“If you know where Madeleine McCann is now or you have new direct information or evidence about what has happened to her then please contact us.”

Mr Redwood said Operation Grange had brought together three strands of investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance – the Portuguese and British law enforcement inquiries and the work by private investigators employed by the McCanns.

The detectives, based at Belgravia police station, are working closely with the McCanns who have been given their own family liaison officer.

The spokesman for the McCanns, of Rothley, Leics, said the couple were pleased with the result of the “age-progression” image which was generated by UK expert Teri Blythe, a specialist in human identification and forensic art.

She said: “Kate and Gerry see a strong family resemblance in the picture. This is an important step forward and could lead to a breakthrough. They are very pleased with the momentum this has given to finding her.”

The McCanns, who are both doctors, have never given up hope that they will be reunited with Madeleine.

Anyone wishing to contact Scotland Yard should ring 0800 0961011. The number for non- UK residents is +44 2071580 126. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Mr Redwood said: “From the outset we have approached this review with a completely open mind, placing Madeleine McCann at the heart of everything we do.

“We are working on the basis of two possibilities here.

“One is that Madeleine is still alive and the second that she is sadly dead.


IMO, this is very positive!

Look at the wording- Madeleine at the heart of everything we do, open mind, two possibilities..

Good night!

True.....but the possibility off just 1% she is alive and going with that....and in the arms off a kidnapper.....redwood is repeating EXACTLY word for word the mccanns......she was taken....that's a McCann phrase ....kidnapped.....does he think she has come to no harm in the arms off a kidnapper ....he doesn't mention predator or pedophile ......another McCann phrase 'unharmed'...redwood doesn't actually say it but insinuated it....did they say or think that when sarah Payne was abducted .....off course not....this man is in idiot and to think HE actually is a police officer....good grief.

In fairness. Redwood has said very little. Either she's alive, or she's dead (No shit, Sherlock). But then in his position, he can't really say very much. It has to be banal, he certainly hasn't said anything like she's definitely alive.

It is the papers who are screaming "she is alive", because that sells more papers. That's all there is too it. Poor wee thing is still a cash cow after five years.

May a pox afflict all of their houses.

Iris wrote:In fairness. Redwood has said very little. Either she's alive, or she's dead (No shit, Sherlock). But then in his position, he can't really say very much. It has to be banal, he certainly hasn't said anything like she's definitely alive.

It is the papers who are screaming "she is alive", because that sells more papers. That's all there is too it. Poor wee thing is still a cash cow after five years.

May a pox afflict all of their houses.

HERE HERE

thanks for reminding us of the words of AR Maive. I noticed them during the programme and seeing them again does give me a little renewed hope that justice may prevail even though I've felt this way so mamy times before and always been disappointed

I've read the headlines saying Scotland Yard believe she's alive but I don't think anywhere in any of the articles does Redwood actually say that. I actually think he is being very careful with his words.