Madeline's parents named as suspects

[rach]

The mother and father of British toddler Madeleine McCann, who vanished while on holiday in Portugal, have both been named as formal suspects by police, their lawyer said Saturday.

[princess_of_pain]

Sad...tragic, but unfortunately not terribly surprising.

[wingsofanangel]

I am not surprised. I thought ill of them from the start. Who leaves their tiny children in a hotel room alone while they go eat? Did the kids eat? What about them? Anything could happen.. a slip and fall.. electrocution... tripping.. I mean kids can get into trouble with a parent standing right there.. why would a "loving" parent leave their small children in a room alone in a strange city?

Sounds like a cover to me.

[gagged_Louise]

I've been feeling for some time that the way the parents stayed in Portugal and publicized the case from there, this long after, spoke against them. When nothing seems to be happening for three or four months, why would one stay and try very clearly, by press conferences and enlisting celebrities, to give the impression that it must be a kidnapping and that the girl wasn't dead? It kind of smacks of pressurizing the police and, at the same time, showing a version of the story where the McCanns could not be questioned.

Hundreds of kids disappear in strange circumstances every year in Western Europe or in the USA, but I don't ever recall a case that's made the headlines like this for such a long time - being from Sweden I'm uncomfortably reminded of the series of press briefings conducted by the Police chief of Stockholm, Mr Hans Holmér, in 1986-87 after the assassination of PM Olof Palme. Holmér enthralled journalists from all over Europe by speaking in a semi-poetic language ("preminiscent" of Donald Rumsfeld) of the difficult mission and of what might soon be happening but there was no real hard progress; the case is still not closed though some would say it's "police-wise solved without a chance of getting the /now dead/ presumed assassin to justice".

I wouldn't believe the mother is an intentional killer, but she probably knows what happened and like wingsofanangel said, you wouldn't leave a child of that age alone in a hotel room in a strange city

[Rhabbi]

I an always saddened when the parents are suspects in the disappearance/death of a child. I do not know the facts here, but the fact that it took the police this long to focus on the parents shows me that either they found something from before, or that they are getting desperate themselves.

[Qmoq]

I'm no fan of the McCanns for leaving the kid on her own, but they seem to be only suspects being brought in for questioning, and aren't being formally charged with anything (yet). And remember... even if they are charged, they are innocent until proven guilty.

The media scrutiny of this case has appalled me, though. There was that chap who got charged twice - I imagine that poor sod's life is ruined. I live close to where a young lad got murdered, and that was headline news for a few weeks, and it was sickening to see the media misrepresent the area, and focus on the emotions involved, rather than the facts. I'm kinda glad they didn't ask me any questions - I would have said something to the effect that they're all evil vultures with waferthin souls who pretend to care.

So... back to the Madeline case... when you read the reports, stick closely to the facts. Ignore the hype, whether it's portraying the Portuguese as buffoons or the parents as killers.

[cadence]

I an always saddened when the parents are suspects in the disappearance/death of a child. I do not know the facts here, but the fact that it took the police this long to focus on the parents shows me that either they found something from before, or that they are getting desperate themselves.

They actually found blood from the daughter in a rental car, rented by the parents four weeks after her dissappearance.

The theory that journalists have speculated on is that there are only two available cars for rent in that town.
The killer could have rented that very car as well.
A bit farfetched but not entirely out of the question.

[crazy_grrluk]

hate to say it...but every interview they did...there really was no massive compassion.

it has been the main discussion for a long time...that the parents...who are doctors....left 3 young children under the age of 4 home alone in their challet while they was in a resturant on site....500 metres away from where they were staying...they even claimed that they did regualr 30 min checks on the kids...who were asleep in their beds.

is about time both parents were bought in for questioning and deemed as suspects. If that happened back home here in the UK....all authorities would be on their back.

the parents should be punished for neglect

[gagged_Louise]

I've found the media hype very disgraceful too, and I really suspect the McCanns have been paid for interviews by some reporters (as a thumb rule, a reporter should never offer money for getting an interview, that damages his integrity - yes, I know many papers regularly sidestep that rule).

It's kind of plain the couple have been able to present their version of the story, and the papers and tv channels caught on because that story was very sellable, at least outside of Portugal - any parent could identify with the McCanns, there was fresh scope for new interviews and articles even when nothing happened: it sold itself. If the McCanns are found guilty or knew what had happened, the media have a lot of self-scrutiny to make.

[Rhabbi]

They actually found blood from the daughter in a rental car, rented by the parents four weeks after her dissappearance.

The theory that journalists have speculated on is that there are only two available cars for rent in that town.
The killer could have rented that very car as well.
A bit farfetched but not entirely out of the question.

How much blood? And where?

You see how things can be blown out of proportion? Did the girl have a small cut and bleed in the car? A nosebleed? Conclusions are easy to jump too, and forensic evidence only exists, it does not prove anything.

[rach]

You see how things can be blown out of proportion? Did the girl have a small cut and bleed in the car? A nosebleed? Conclusions are easy to jump too, and forensic evidence only exists, it does not prove anything.

The thing is the blood was found in a car rented 25 days afte Maddie was apaprently abducted, that's why it's new evidence.

[crazy_grrluk]

I've found the media hype very disgraceful too, and I really suspect the McCanns have been paid for interviews by some reporters (as a thumb rule, a reporter should never offer money for getting an interview, that damages his integrity - yes, I know many papers regularly sidestep that rule).

It's kind of plain the couple have been able to present their version of the story, and the papers and tv channels caught on because that story was very sellable, at least outside of Portugal - any parent could identify with the McCanns, there was fresh scope for new interviews and articles even when nothing happened: it sold itself. If the McCanns are found guilty or knew what had happened, the media have a lot of self-scrutiny to make.

And what about the audiance with the Pope at the Vatican?????

[rach]

And what about the audiance with the Pope at the Vatican?????

Yeah that was weird.

[crazy_grrluk]

i would say that was extreme.
esp as it was so soon after the child went missing.

makes u wonder if it was all a free ride and a trip to see europe in the process

[ladygstar]

And what about the audiance with the Pope at the Vatican?????

Don't get me started on that.

Whatever we find out they are or aren't guilty of with regards to their daughters disappearance they are defiantly guilty of milking the situation for all it was worth as well as neglect at the very least.

[gagged_Louise]

The Pope? Yeah, who would believe that - or Beckham - could have happened without some media people lobbying the idea. How much press attention is given to kids and young women sold into sex trafficking? We're talking thousands every year there just in Europe.

[rach]

Don't get me started on that.

Whatever we find out they are or aren't guilty of with regards to their daughters disappearance they are defiantly guilty of milking the situation for all it was worth as well as neglect at the very least.

For sure- and what really upsets me is the difference in that they were treated as opposed to Ben Needham's Mum when he went missing with far less reason for people to be suspicious- she was a suspect straight away and villified by the press. It disgusts me.

[ladygstar]

I couldn't agree more louise and rach

I just know how the press would have demonised a inner-city, ethnic, single mother had she left her kids while having dinner and the same situation had arisen... grrrrrrrrr

Really trying not to get started on this as I have tried really hard to avoid posting in this thread all night!

[crazy_grrluk]

I can remember the sheer hell I went through after my kids were put on the social services at risk register and all because of Idiothead.
Because of what had happened to me the kids were affected...and after I had him arrested...it was like I was put in front of a jury as well. It really does piss me off.

nb: for those who dont know who idiothead is...see my interview in whos who

[ladygstar]

I can remember the sheer hell I went through after my kids were put on the social services at risk register and all because of Idiothead.
Because of what had happened to me the kids were affected...and after I had him arrested...it was like I was put in front of a jury as well. It really does piss me off.

nb: for those who dont know who idiothead is...see my interview in whos who

*nips back to give crazy_grrluk a huggle then runs away from this thread again before I start on another rant*

[crazy_grrluk]

oOo huggles...now i love those

huggles back

[crazy_grrluk]

Latest news report


McCanns 'to remain in Portugal'

Kate McCann declared formal suspect in disappearance of daughter Madeleine

Missing Madeleine McCann's parents will stay in Portugal to help police after being named as suspects in their daughter's disappearance, a family friend said.

Portuguese detectives made Kate and Gerry McCann "arguidos", or formal suspects, on Friday while re-interviewing them about what happened to their daughter.

The couple want to return from the Algarve to their home in Rothley, Leicestershire, with their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie. But after Friday's dramatic developments - and with the threat of being charged over Madeleine's death hanging over them - they have decided to remain in Portugal.

Earlier, Gerry McCann's sister Philomena McCann said the couple wished to return to Britain but are worried it may appear that they are "running scared" if they return home to Britain.

The family friend, speaking in Portugal, said: "At the moment it is their intention to stay here. However, they would very much like to go home... They are in a position at the moment whereby they have been made arguidos. They obviously want to help the police. I think they feel that it wouldn't be right to have ... jumped on a plane to go home."

The McCanns have remained in the seaside village of Praia da Luz since Madeleine went missing from their holiday apartment in May.

The couple had planned to join worshippers at a special ecumenical service at the village church of Nossa Senhora da Luz. But they will now stay at home all day and pray privately because of concerns about the huge media interest in their movements.

Mrs McCann fears she will now be charged over Madeleine's death after Portuguese police asked her directly whether she killed her daughter.

Detectives offered her a "deal" - a guaranteed jail sentence of no more than two years - if she confessed to accidentally killing her daughter, Mr McCann's sister Philomena McCann said. But Mrs McCann refused, saying, "How dare you, how dare you use emotional blackmail to get me to confess to something I didn't do?", according to ITV News.

The couple are said to be "in a state of shock but also extraordinarily angry" about the police moves.

[gagged_Louise]

*joins in the group hug with cg and ladygstar after reading about your shitty 18-months marriage*

[crazy_grrluk]

what annoyed me more was I was the one who had to go for counciling..not him...sighz

[crazy_grrluk]

Latest new on this subject...shakes head

Madeleine's family fly home
09/09/2007 09:20

Missing Madeleine McCann's family arrived at a Portuguese airport to fly home to Britain.

Kate and Gerry McCann set off from the village of Praia da Luz with their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie at 7.10am. They arrived at Faro Airport just after 8am and are expected to fly back to East Midlands Airport on the 9.30am easyJet flight.

Madeleine's parents fear they could be charged over their daughter's death after Portuguese police named them as "arguidos", or official suspects, in her disappearance.



After undergoing intense questioning by detectives on Thursday and Friday, they wanted to fly back to their home in Rothley, Leicestershire, as soon as possible.

The McCanns' spokeswoman confirmed their last-minute decision to fly home in a statement just after midnight. She said: "Kate and Gerry will be returning home to the UK this morning as originally planned. They will depart from Faro Airport. It is emphasised that their return is with the full agreement of the Portuguese authorities and police."

The McCanns have no bail conditions attached to their arguido status and still retain their passports. But police could in theory apply for a court to impose movement restrictions on them.

Several weeks ago the couple made provisional plans to return to the UK with Sean and Amelie on Sunday. But they put this on hold after Portuguese police summoned them back in for questioning this week and made them arguidos.

Family friends said on Saturday that the couple intended to remain in the Algarve for the time being to "help the police", but were taking legal advice on whether they could return to the UK.

Now in a sudden turnabout they have reinstated the original plans. Mr McCann's sister Philomena, 43, spoke to her brother on the telephone on Saturday, just hours after he left a Portuguese police station following eight hours of questioning. She said the family still hoped to leave Portugal and return to Britain within days, but were worried about how it would be interpreted.

"Gerry is saying he doesn't want it to look like they are running scared," she added. "He doesn't want it too look as if they are running away, because that is nonsense."

[gagged_Louise]

Will be interesting to see how the papers will be covering the story when they return ("our countrymen being unjustly harassed by the chicos" or "couple running away from justice"?) And what about the non-UK tabloids that have been shamelessly lifting over and rewriting the Sun's reporting with almost nil real input of their own? You know, The Sun isn't the most credible source in the media world...

[crazy_grrluk]

well if they looking for publicity, they gonna get it as soon as they land in a cpl of hrs

[nk_lion]

Remember all...innocent unless proven guilty

[rach]

It all seems so peculiar!
Nothing is getting clearer. If they are innocent, they'll probably never know what really happened to their little girl, and if they are guilty, they are unlikely to be convicted.

A huge mess either way.

[gagged_Louise]

I agree the parents haven't been formally arrested and there isn't a cogent case yet (DNA traces doesn't quite equal fingerprints, and since there was apparently just two rental cars in that place, it's comnceivable that a killer/abductor could have used it before the McCann couple did - though I can't see a local criminal would be transporting a live or dead Madeline in a rental car while every cop in the country and thousands of others are looking for the girl)

Anyway, honestly I'm less cross with them than with the media who have blown the story out of any proportion and also helped the McCanns milk the thing and capitalize on it. The couple have been helping to sell newspaper copies all over the world, or most of it.