MADELEINE: Police should search for body said British expert

MADELEINE: Police should search for body said British expert


Gerry McCann told press that there is no evidence in the police files that suggests Madeleine has been seriously harmed
Photo: PORTUGALIMAGES.NET

By DAISY SAMPSON and CECÍLIA PIRES

daisy.sampson@the-resident.com

A SUMMARY by police in February 2008 reveals, for the first time, that there were only two possible causes, in their opinion, that could account for the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

The report, written on February 5 by investigators, concludes that by analysing the evidence up to that point, police felt that Madeleine was kidnapped or killed, either accidentally or deliberately, and continues to give detailed reasons as to why these conclusions have been drawn.

The possibility of kidnap is taken from evidence including the statement made by Kate describing windows in the apartment being open that were not open earlier.

The testimony by Jane Tanner is also taken into account and her statement describing an individual carrying a child in their arms at 9.15pm adds to this theory. Police files reveal that the alternative explanation for Madeleine’s disappearance is that she died in the apartment and her body was then removed.

The summary states that the specialist British police dog, Eddie, detected the smell of a dead body in the apartment near the window and behind the sofa.

The dog also detected signs of a body in the Renault car hired by the McCanns and in other areas in and around the apartment used by the McCanns. Keela, the dog used to detect the smell of human blood, is reported in the files as finding the smell of blood in the sitting room of the apartment, adding to the suspicions by the police that Madeleine died in the apartment.

At no point in the summary is anyone specifically accused of killing or kidnapping Madeleine.

In July 2007 Mark Harrison MBE of the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) made a report to the Portuguese police stating that in his opinion: “Police have concentrated on finding Madeleine alive, they now need to start to consider other options and the possibility that she has been killed and her body hidden.”

Mark Harrison assessed the Portuguese investigation between May and July and recommended that areas should be searched again but using dogs that detect blood and dead bodies.

The McCanns have countered the reports from the police files and have pledged to continue to look for their daughter. Gerry McCann told press: “The content of these files has been extensively reported. It will be clear to everyone now that there is absolutely no evidence that suggests Madeleine has been seriously harmed, we strongly believe that Madeleine is out there and can be found.”

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that the McCanns have hired a new detective agency to help in the search for their daughter. The unnamed US firm reportedly uses former members of the FBI and CIA.

Clarence Mitchell confirmed: “It is correct that an international firm of investigators has been appointed. I am unable to say anything about them because of the covert nature of their work”.

Metodo 3, the Spanish private investigators used by the McCanns, are still involved in the case but are dealing with leads in Iberia and northern Africa while the new team will be looking at international leads.

Do you have a view on this story? Email:

editor@the-resident.com