Sightings following the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

On the evening of Thursday, 3 May 2007, shortly before her fourth birthday, a British child, Madeleine McCann, went missing from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve in Portugal, in which she was staying with her parents. The initial investigation by the Guarda Nacional Republicana, the first police to be called to the scene, concluded that she had been abducted. cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6627605.stm|title=Holiday girl abducted, police say|publisher=BBC News|date=2007-05-05|accessdate = 2007-05-14] After further investigation, the Polícia Judiciária (Portuguese criminal investigation police) subsequently stated that there was a strong hypothesis that she might have died in her room. [cite news | title= Madeleine McCann assumed dead | publisher = "The Daily Telegraph" | author=Richard Edwards | date = 2007-08-06 | accessdate = 2007-08-06 |url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/17/wmaddy117.xml]

There have been many reported sightings of Madeleine both in Portugal and elsewhere in the world, but none have produced any firm leads. However, several reports have not been conclusively eliminated. On 9 July 2007, the Portuguese police said that they believed that, if still alive, it was likely that the missing girl was still being held in Portugal. [cite news | title = New Suspects Could Be Questioned Soon | publisher = Sky News | date = 2007-07-09 | accessdate = 2007-07-09 |url = http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1274311,00.html]

Value of the sightings

The value of investigating the sightings has been questioned. Criminologist Mark Williams-Thomas said, in May 2008, that sightings in countries, other than Portugal, although genuinely intended, were a distraction and would be of little value after the initial two weeks. He posited the question, who is going to openly walk out with the most wanted child in the world? [cite news | title = Madeleine: 'My Theories On Missing Girl' | publisher = Sky News | author=Mark Williams-Thomas | date = 2008-05-01 | accessdate = 2008-05-25 |url = http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1314624,00.html]

Disclosure of official information

Leicestershire Police agreed, in the High Court on 7 July 2008, to disclose the content of files related to sightings and tip-offs. They will hand over 81 pieces of information. [cite news | title = Madeleine McCann parents gain access to police files | publisher = The Daily Telegraph | author=Gordon Rayner | date = 2008-07-07 | accessdate = 2008-07-07 |url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/madeleinemccann/2262153/Madeleine-McCann-parents-to-access-police-files.html]

Confirmed sightings on 3 May

The last picture of the child, as supplied by the family, was apparently taken at 14:29, and showed her sitting by the side of the pool with Gerry and Amelie. cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1836171.ece
author=Steve Bird and David Brown |title=The last family picture of Madeleine McCann|publisher=The Times|date=2007-05-24|accessdate = 2007-05-24] Although the McCanns insisted that Gerry was playing tennis as Kate gave the children supper at the Ocean Club resort at 17:00, Miguel Matias, manager of the beach-side Paraíso restaurant, said that the family were at the beach. In the early evening Matias saw Gerry dancing with his daughter while the family ate a meal on the terrace. Portuguese police confirmed that they had received relevant CCTV footage from Matias.cite news | title = Madeleine McCann: Gerry certain he was in bedroom with kidnapper |publisher = The Daily Telegraph | date = 2007-09-23 | author = Caroline Gammell |accessdate = 2007-09-23 |url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/21/nmaddy521.xml]

Reported sightings

In Portugal

Police in the mountainous town of Nelas, northern central Portugal, had received information of a girl matching Madeleine's description who was seen with a man in a supermarket on 8 May 2007.cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6635463.stm|title=Portugal defends Madeleine police|publisher=BBC News|accessdate = 2007-05-08] The man, a Belgian citizen, stopped at the supermarket with his daughter and left the place in a car before police were contacted, but police later confirmed that the sighting had been a false alarm. [cite news|url=http://www.destak.pt/artigos.php?art=369|title=Investigações da PJ seguem 350 pistas|author=João Moniz|publisher=Destak|date=2007-05-09|accessdate = 2007-05-09|language=Portuguese] cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6636869.stm|title=Police 'step up Madeleine search'|publisher=BBC News|accessdate = 2007-05-08] People in the resort came forward to report unusual incidents including a woman who noticed a man trying to take away a pram and a man who caught a stranger taking photographs of young blonde girls on a beach. [cite news|url=http://www.lse.co.uk/ShowStory.asp?story=HC837112Y&news_headline=staff_at_maddy_resort_were_warned_of_suspicious_man_|title=Staff At Maddy Resort 'Were Warned Of Suspicious Man'|publisher=LifStyle Extra|date=2007-05-08|accessdate = 2007-05-12] cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/11/wmaddy311.xml|title=£1 million reward for missing Madeleine|publisher=Daily Telegraph|date=2007-05-12|accessdate = 2007-05-12] Portuguese police also investigated a report by holidaymaker Andre van Wyk. Van Wyk claimed that, shortly after the disappearance, he had seen a girl resembling Madeleine being taken in a cart to a gypsy camp near Portimão, about ten miles (16 km) from where Madeleine disappeared. [cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1964109.ece|title=Pickpocket snatches father's photos of missing Madeleine|publisher=The Times|date=2007-06-21|accessdate = 2007-06-23]

On 9 May, the "24 Horas" newspaper reported that police had found a vehicle near Praia da Luz that may have been used by the kidnapper.cite news|url=http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/844830.htm|title=Video tape may show missing Maddie|publisher=iAfrica.com|date=2007-05-09|accessdate = 2007-06-08] Further, CCTV video from a petrol station near Lagos showed a child matching Madeleine's description with a woman and two men. The child was having an altercation with the woman.cite news|url=http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/844830.htm|title=Video tape may show missing Maddie|publisher=iAfrica.com|date=2007-05-09|accessdate = 2007-05-09] The following day it was reported that the car from the petrol station had British number plates and it was claimed that the person caught taking photographs was one of the men on the CCTV footage.cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91210-1265166,00.html?f=rss|title=Service Held For Missing Madeleine|publisher=Sky News|date=2007-05-11|accessdate = 2007-05-12]

An anonymous witness contacted police claiming to have spotted a Fiat Marea with a forged license plate in Pinhal Novo, Palmela, Setúbal on May 17, which allegedly transported the missing child. [cite news|title=Carro põe polícia em alerta|publisher=Jornal de Notícias|date=2007-05-17, N°351, Ano 119|language=Portuguese] In the middle of November, a Portuguese trucker telephoned the Método 3 helpline reporting to have seen in the Algarve town of Silves, two days after the disappearance, a blonde woman pass a child wrapped in a blanket to a man, who then 'bundled' her into a car.cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/20/nmaddy120.xml |title= 'Madeleine Spain sighting' probed |author= Fiona Govan |publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=2007-11-22|accessdate = 2007-11-22]

Jane Tanner claimed to have seen a man walking away from the apartment, with a sleeping child, at 21:15 on the evening of the disappearance. She added that the child was wearing similar pyjamas to those worn by Madeleine. [cite news | title= Kate and Gerry McCann's friend goes on television to insist: I saw abduction of Madeleine | publisher = The Times | author=David Brown | date = 2007-11-17 | accessdate = 2007-11-30 |url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2885905.ece] The McCanns released, on 25 October, an artist's impression of the person. The drawing showed details of the man's hair and clothing but none of his features. [cite news | title= McCanns release sketch of man seen near apartment | publisher = The Guardian | author=Martin Hodgson | date = 2007-10-26 | accessdate = 2007-10-27 |url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2199701,00.html] On 20 January 2008 the McCanns released a new image of a long-haired man claimed by tourist Gail Cooper to be acting suspiciously, in April, at her apartment convert|600|yd|m from that of the McCanns. He was said by Tanner to have a "strong resemblance" to the man she had seen. [cite news|title= Is this the man who abducted Madeleine? Two witnesses give similar descriptions|publisher=The Guardian|author=Karen McVeigh|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2244186,00.html|date=2008-01-21|accessdate = 2008-01-21]

In Morocco

Marie Olli, a Norwegian woman living in the Spanish town of Fuengirola, contacted the police on 10 May 2007, claiming she had seen a girl matching Madeleine's description in a petrol station in Marrakech, Morocco. The girl, who was said to have appeared sad, was allegedly accompanied by a man in his late 30s. [cite news |first=Vanessa |last=Allen |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/tm_headline=can-i-see-mummy-soon---&method=full&objectid=19130944&siteid=89520-name_page.html |title=Can I See Mummy Soon? Tourist says she saw Madeleine in Morocco..pleading with a man|publisher=The Daily Mirror|date=2007-05-19|accessdate = 2007-05-20] At about the same time, a British tourist reported seeing Madeleine near the Marrakech Ibis hotel. [cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91210-1285386,00.html?f=rss |title='Any Credible Sighting Is Of Interest' |publisher=Sky News|date=2007-09-24|accessdate = 2007-09-24] Though Interpol subsequently discounted these sightings, officers from Leicestershire police remained in Morocco for some days afterwards. [cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,276012,00.html|title=Brits Follow Cell Phone Signals in Hunt for Madeleine |publisher=Fox News|date=2007-05-29|accessdate = 2007-05-29] A Spanish tourist saw a girl resembling Madeleine as she drove through the town of Zaio in northern Morocco at the end of May. Attention switched back to Morocco on 4 June, after GCHQ in Cheltenham picked up phone intercept messages in Arabic referring to "the little blonde girl", a German man, and a ferry from Tarifa in Spain. [cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/04/nmaddy04.xml |title= Media 'may have scared Madeleine kidnapper |author=Richard Edwards and Fiona Govan |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |date=2007-06-05|accessdate = 2007-09-20]

Another Spanish tourist, Isabel Gonzalez, has said that she saw a girl fitting Madeleine’s description being dragged across a street, also in Zaio, by a North African woman on 15 June. Naoual Malhi, a Spanish woman of Moroccan origin, claimed to have spotted the girl with a woman in the village of Fnideq, on 21 August, but private investigators were unable to substantiate the lead. [cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/02/nmaddy202.xml |title=Detectives probe Madeleine McCann sighting |author=Duncan Hooper |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |date=2007-11-03|accessdate = 2007-11-03] A photograph of a blonde girl being carried on the back of a North African woman was taken on 31 August by Clara Torres, another Spanish tourist, in Zinat in northern Morocco, but it turned out to be a Moroccan girl.cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2533072.ece |title= New photograph shows child like Madeleine McCann on African woman’s back |author=David Brown and Patrick Foster |publisher=The Times |date=2007-09-26|accessdate = 2007-09-26] cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2538790.ece |title= Girl in Morocco picture is daughter of local family, not Madeleine McCann |author=Adam Fresco |publisher=The Times |date=2007-09-26|accessdate = 2007-09-26] A school inspector claimed to have seen the child in Karia Ba Mohamed around the start of October, but after enquiries the local police were adamant that she was not there. [cite news |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=491601&in_page_id=1770 |title= Revealed: The remote Moroccan town that could hold the key to finding Madeleine |author=Daniel Cochlin |publisher=Daily Mail |date=2007-11-04|accessdate = 2007-11-04] Also, the Moroccan Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa said, on 4 November, that there was no evidence to suggest that Madeleine was in Morocco. [cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/05/nmaddy105.xml |title=Moroccan authorities deny Madeleine search |author=Felix Lowe |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |date=2007-11-07|accessdate = 2007-11-07]

Elsewhere

There were two reported sightings in Belgium. The first was during May 2007 in Liège and the second occurred on 28 July on a café terrace in Tongeren. In the latter case, children’s therapist Katleen Sampermans said that Madeleine was in the company of a Dutch man and an English woman. [;cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/view/15724|title= I'm Sorry I Didn't Rescue Maddy At Belgian Restaurant | author= Martin Evans | publisher=The Daily Express|date=2007-08-06|accessdate = 2007-08-09] [cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/03/wmaddy203.xml|title=Madeleine sighting being taken seriously |author=Bruno Waterfield| publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=2007-08-04|accessdate = 2007-08-04] However, the girl turned out to be the 4-year-old daughter of a Belgian man. [cite news |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=476476&in_page_id=1770 |title= Revealed: The girl at Belgian café who witnesses thought was missing Madeleine |publisher=Daily Mail|date=2007-08-20|accessdate = 2007-08-21]

Security was tightened in Valletta, Malta on 21 June following five reported sightings on the island. The total sightings had risen to 29 by 27 June. [cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/21/nmaddy121.xml|title=Five Madeleine McCann 'sightings' in Malta|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|author=Richard Edwards and Fiona Govan|date=2007-06-22|accessdate = 2007-06-25] [cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91210-1272511,00.html|title=Day 55: Vigil As Reporter Backs Up Claim|publisher=Sky News|date=2007-06-27|accessdate = 2007-06-27]

Two women reported seeing a child who looked like Madeleine with a man at a petrol station near Cartagena, Spain, on 21 August. This was discounted after a thorough investigation by the Spanish National Police and Civil Guard. [cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,,-6870978,00.html |title= 'Madeleine Spain sighting' probed |author= Press Association |publisher=The Guardian|date=2007-08-23|accessdate = 2007-08-26]

An Irish tourist reported a sighting in Međugorje, Bosnia at the beginning of November. [cite news |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=492885&in_page_id=1770 |title= Now Madeleine hunt turns to Balkans after girl is heard crying for 'Daddy' |author= Daniel Boffey |publisher=Daily Mail|date=2007-11-11|accessdate = 2007-11-11] The child was later revealed to be the 3-year-old daughter of Slavko Dedić, a dentist from the nearby town of Ljubuški. [cite news |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=493928&in_page_id=1770 |title= First picture of three-year-old Bosnian girl mistaken for missing Madeleine |author= Neil Sears |publisher=Daily Mail|date=2007-11-15|accessdate = 2007-11-15]

Dutch student Melissa Fiering claimed that she saw Madeleine with a 'tall, swarthy man', at the L'Arche motorway service station restaurant in the south of France, on 15 February 2008. [cite news |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=516836&in_page_id=1770 |title= Police probe fresh Madeleine McCann sighting in the south of France for 'Daddy' |publisher=Daily Mail|date=2008-02-20|accessdate = 2008-02-20] However the French police, after examining CCTV evidence, determined that the sighting was not of the missing child. [cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7256513.stm |title= How common is Madeleine's eye defect? |publisher=BBC News |date=2008-02-21| accessdate = 2008-02-21]

The first reported sighting in Britain occurred in Dorset in February 2008. Retired civil servant Alan Cameron said that she was with a Portuguese couple who came to the door. [cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/24/nmaddy224.xml|title= Latest Madeleine McCann sighting is in Dorset|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=2008-02-24|accessdate = 2008-02-25]

A sighting of Madeline McCann was reported in the Sydney central business district on 17 March. The reported sighting, of a middle-aged man carrying a blonde girl, turned out to be a false alarm. [cite news|author=Howden, Saffron|title=Cops scramble over false Madeleine McCann sighting|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23388885-5001021,00.html|publisher=Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|date=2008-03-17|accessdate = 2008-03-17]

There have been six reported sightings in Brazil. A witness reported seeing Madeleine on a plane flying to São Paulo, in late March. Five earlier reports had been investigated and discounted. [cite news |author=Aislinn Simpson |title=Madeleine McCann 'spotted on plane to Brazil'|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/madeleinemccann/1954397/Madeleine-McCann-'spotted-on-plane-to-Brazil'.html|publisher=The Daily Telegraph)|date=2008-05-14|accessdate = 2008-05-17]

The release of the Portuguese police case files in August 2008 revealed a possible sighting, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in early May 2007. Anna Stam reported to Dutch police that a girl of three or four years of age, who resembled Madeleine, had come into her shop and had told her that the adult she was with was "a stranger" who "took me from my mummy" while she was on holiday.cite web|author=De Beer, Brendan;Copbain, Ian|title=Dutch 'sighting' and efits revealed in McCann police file|publisher=The Guardian|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/aug/06/madeleinemccann.internationalcrime|date=2008-08-06|accessdate = 2008-08-06] She added that her name was "Maddy." The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell said that it was a "disgrace" that they had not been told by police about the reported sighting at the time. The files included a 14-volume annexe of reported sightings, of Madeleine, across the world. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7546729.stm |title=Madeleine case "lead" played down |publisher=BBC News |date=2008-08-07|accessdate = 2008-08-13]

References