Marie Claire News

Thursday 28 August

 


McCann case to close

Kate and Gerry McCann Rex Features

Kate and Gerry McCann are expected to be told today that they are formally cleared of any involvement in their daughter Madeleine's disappearance after Portuguese police made the decision to close the case.

Despite drawing a line under the accusations made against them however, the McCanns will face further scrutiny when the former head of the investigation publishes his 'explosive' account in a book to be published this Thursday.

Goncalo Amaral's chronicle allegedly contains accusations that Madeleine died accidentally whilst in the McCann's care and her body was disposed of to hide the death.

It was Mr Amaral who originally authorised the decision to make the British couple official suspects in the case of their missing daughter. At the time the detective was criticised for his decision to concentrate on the McCanns and his belief that Madeleine died in their holiday apartment, ignoring other potential leads.

For 14 months Kate and Gerry McCann have remained formal suspects and in recent weeks Portuguese newspapers have reported that police do not have sufficient evidence to charge them.

Portugal's attorney-general, Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro, announced last week that there would be a 'solution' to the Madeleine case today, prompting speculation that the case will be closed.

Although the police files will be shelved, they could be reopened if new evidence emerges.

If the case is closed, the McCanns will request that their private investigator has access to the files to continue their search.

The couple's spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, commented: 'They hope to gain access to the police files so that their private investigators can continue the search for Madeleine.

'At the end of the day that is the most important thing - finding their daughter and keeping the search going.'

Monday 21 July 2008


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