Latest Report from the Telegraph regarding the Investigation

Home»News»UK NewsMadeleine McCann: Yard getting closer to the truth
British detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have said they have now built up “the most complete picture to date” of what happened to her.

Madeleine McCann, who vanished from a holiday apartment in the Algarve in May 2003 Photo: PA
By Robert Mendick, and Fiona Govan in Spain
7:00AM BST 06 Oct 2013
More than 400 people, including new witnesses, have been interviewed by Metropolitan Police officers since a fresh investigation was ordered in May 2011, its top detective disclosed.

Kate and Gerry McCann said they were “greatly encouraged” that the “jigsaw” of what happened to their daughter appeared to be closer to completion.

British police have taken statements from, among others, carers, residents and workers who were at the resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal, at the time of Madeleine’s disappearance in May 2007.

In total 442 people have been questioned by officers or provided statements to detectives in an inquiry spanning 30 countries.

Scotland Yard said its investigation had resulted in 4,920 lines of inquiry, of which 2,123 had been followed up and “completed”.

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The release of details on the progress of the £5 million police inquiry is part of a coordinated effort by Scotland Yard to maximise publicity ahead of a live television appeal by Mr and Mrs McCann on the BBC’s Crimewatch.

Police sources suggested that they were “optimistic” that they would get to the bottom of what has happened to the missing girl.

Madeleine’s parents said in a statement: “We are greatly encouraged by new information coming to light, with pieces of the jigsaw now fitting together. We are really hopeful that the forthcoming appeal on Crimewatch will bring further new evidence which will take us a step closer to finding Madeleine and to bringing those responsible for her abduction to justice.”

Detectives are studying mobile telephone data from thousands of people who were in Praia da Luz when Madeleine went missing.

Thirty-seven officers are deployed on the case. Police have refused to discuss forensic evidence but admitted that no useful CCTV footage existed in Portugal.

Madeleine vanished from a holiday apartment on the Algarve nine days before her fourth birthday, leading to the biggest hunt in history for a missing child.

Mr and Mrs McCann had left her and her twin siblings in an unlocked apartment while they went for dinner with friends at a nearby bar and restaurant. The McCanns, both doctors who live in Rothley, Leicestershire, believe their child, who would now be 10, was abducted and may still be alive.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, who is leading Operation Grange, the new inquiry, said yesterday: “We now believe we have the most complete picture to date of the events surrounding her disappearance.

“We are now making targeted and new appeals for help from the public.

“I truly believe there are people out who hold the key to Madeleine’s disappearance, and that, so far, they may be completely unaware of that fact.

“Through this latest round of publicity we hope to take the next step forward in this investigation. There is a huge public desire out there to help us.”

Following a BBC reconstruction, Mr and Mrs McCann will make a live appeal from Crimewatch’s studio in Cardiff when the programme is aired at 9pm on October 14. Similar programmes will be broadcast in Germany and Holland in an attempt to reach those who were on holiday in Praia da Luz at the time of Madeleine’s disappearance.

There are no plans by Portuguese broadcasters to carry an appeal. Portuguese police and the wider public there have been hostile to the plight of the couple.

When Madeleine vanished there was widespread criticism of local detectives over their conduct. Police in Britain opened up their own official inquiry after a direct plea from the McCanns to David Cameron.

The BBC reconstruction was filmed in Spain rather than in Praia da Luz.

The reconstruction is, according to the Crimewatch team, based on “the Met’s latest, most detailed understanding of what took place around the time of Madeleine’s disappearance.

 It is not that detailed, then if they can't even get the bloody country right.

Iris wrote: It is not that detailed, then if they can't even get the bloody country right.  

Morning Iris, if the mccanns wanted the recon in Spain as opposed to Portugal because they were nervous about the local reaction, what right have they to dictate!!! They have Cameron, May and Redwood eating out of their hands....I have never known a case like this.!!!

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, who is leading Operation Grange, the new inquiry, said yesterday: “We now believe we have the most complete picture to date of the events surrounding her disappearance. "

I doubt we will be told and about two years on when the final phone calls in all these Countries have been examined and taken off the "suspect "list with a Bill of over £8 million will the McCanns pack up and leave us in peace.?

Maybe the PJ have said they can't do it in PT as it would interfere with an ongoing investigation. But as usual, the Teflon Two have to make themselves look important and as though it were all their own idea. I don't for one minute believe it will be accurate and unbiased if the BBC are in charge of it. I would just love to know why.

Very cautious article with a hint of scepticism perhaps?:

"Mr and Mrs McCann had left her and her twin siblings in an unlocked apartment while they went for dinner with friends at a nearby bar and restaurant. The McCanns, both doctors who live in Rothley, Leicestershire, believe their child, who would now be 10, was abducted and may still be alive."

Yes, it's an improvement on stating categorically - without a shred of evidence - that Madeleine was abducted.

I'm sure a lot of the Press reporting is tongue in cheek , but with the McCanns penchant for raising money by suing anyone who diverts from their Hymn Sheet , they cannot offer opinions. I really do pray that Amaral will win , that will be a massive blow to the McCanns.

It does puzzle me as to WHY this flurry of news from Redwood. Is it to help the McCanns win ? The coincidence has not gone unnoticed. Was Clarence instrumental in ensuring all the Press printed this latest development even though all this news from Redwood will take months to research ? Did Redwood ignore the phone tapping of the McCanns mobiles which the Portugese Prosecutor deemed sufficient evidence to go to Trial.?

The McCanns have been protected all along....but why???

Well I certainly don't think anyone could argue that the search is not ongoing.  I think it will be hard to prove that the search was damaged in any way by a book written in Portuguese and not even available in print in English.  Damaged in what way.   Do they mean the search or the investigation.  Not sure if they are one and the same.

MaryB wrote:Well I certainly don't think anyone could argue that the search is not ongoing.  I think it will be hard to prove that the search was damaged in any way by a book written in Portuguese and not even available in print in English.  Damaged in what way.   Do they mean the search or the investigation.  Not sure if they are one and the same.

Hi MaryB, I think the McCanns were referring to the Book quoting the Portugese Final Report where it says Madeleine could have died in 5a.

Panda wrote:

MaryB wrote:Well I certainly don't think anyone could argue that the search is not ongoing.  I think it will be hard to prove that the search was damaged in any way by a book written in Portuguese and not even available in print in English.  Damaged in what way.   Do they mean the search or the investigation.  Not sure if they are one and the same.

Hi MaryB, I think the McCanns were referring to the Book quoting the Portugese Final Report where it says Madeleine could have died in 5a.

Why are they not suing the Portuguese Attorney General then, it's his report. Goncalo Amaral is just quoting from it.

Iris wrote:

Panda wrote:

MaryB wrote:Well I certainly don't think anyone could argue that the search is not ongoing.  I think it will be hard to prove that the search was damaged in any way by a book written in Portuguese and not even available in print in English.  Damaged in what way.   Do they mean the search or the investigation.  Not sure if they are one and the same.

Hi MaryB, I think the McCanns were referring to the Book quoting the Portugese Final Report where it says Madeleine could have died in 5a.

Why are they not suing the Portuguese Attorney General then, it's his report.  Goncalo Amaral is just quoting from it.

Because he had the temerity Iris to write his own Book and produce a Video about what happened on that night, which is much more plausible than the "Abduction" mantra the McCanns keep repeating. Since SY are doing an investigation I don't understand why they don"t ask for a re-enactment of 3rd May by the Tapas 9 based on their testimonies and those of the Staff that night .

If the book merely quotes the report then the authority who wrote/published the original report should be the ones being sued if it is available to the public which it is.

MaryB wrote:If the book merely quotes the report then the authority who wrote/published the original report should be the ones being sued if it is available to the public which it is.

he othe two
NaryB....there were 4 possibilities quoted in the final Report 1. that Madeleine died in a, 2. that she was abducted....can't remember the other 2 but the Final Report is in the mccannfiles. Amaral based his opinion on the facts, that there was no sign of a break in the shutters etc.

The mccanns have changed their story...their was no break in.....so if their was no breakin their was no abduction and the mccanns could see from where they were sitting if someone got in via the patio doors...and know one entered the patio doors ..

You have to have conclusions to dismiss them...


The fact that they dismissed the abduction theory was...there was nothing to back this theory up...they had to then dismiss the other theories and the death in the apt couldn't be dismissed because they came to that conclusion..she died in the apt.


Sad but true .


I and amongst thousands off other people would like to dismiss that theory because we would like to think she is alive and well but come on...evidence proves that she isn't , sadly.

kitti wrote:You have to  have conclusions to dismiss them...


The fact that they dismissed the abduction theory was...there was nothing to back this theory up...they had to then dismiss the other theories and the death in the apt couldn't be dismissed because they came to that conclusion..she died in the apt.


Sad but true .


I and amongst thousands off other people would like to dismiss that theory because we would like to think she is alive and well but come on...evidence proves that she isn't , sadly.

Hi Kitti, where was it reported that they have dismissed the abduction theory ? That was the reason for the Fund, to raise money to find Madeleine!!!!