Day 2596: 11 June 2014 Wednesday, Madeleine Beth McCann, Update from Operation Grange

JUNE 2014 

 

Day 2596: 11 June 2014 Wednesday, Madeleine Beth McCann  

Updates

11 June, 2014 - Statement from Gerry and Kate 

We are very pleased that significant activity has taken place in Praia da Luz over the last 8 days with police officers and support teams from the UK working closely with the Policia Judicial and the Guarda Nacional Republicana.

 

We are further encouraged that, despite the intensive searches, no trace of Madeleine has been found and this reinforces our belief that she could still be alive.

 

As parents of a missing child, we have always wanted all reasonable lines of enquiry to be followed and it is gratifying to know that a substantial amount of work will take place over the coming months with close cooperation of the British and Portuguese authorities.

 

We would like to thank all those involved for their efforts and the members of the public who have come forward with information. 

Gerry and Kate 

 

11 June, 2014 - Update from Operation Grange

 

Operation Grange officers working alongside experts in their field from around the UK, the Policia Judicial and the Guarda Nacional Republicana today, Wednesday 11 June completed an eight day period of work searching specific areas of land in Praia da Luz.

 

At this time no evidence relating to Madeleine McCann has been identified. However it has given us an essential understanding of the activity on and people that have used this piece of land.

 

This was the first phase of this major investigation which has been agreed with the Portuguese following the four International Letters of Request submitted to date. More activity has been agreed and we expect that to commence shortly. In addition further requests are being compiled and will be submitted in due course.

 

The decision to search the “horse shoe” shaped piece of waste ground to the west of Praia da Luz and other sites was as a specific result of the UK’s investigation work to date.

 

The total area of land searched and surveyed was of approximately 60,000 sq metres and included all utilities, drainage channels and derelict buildings. 41 ground anomalies were identified initially by both aerial survey and ground analysis which were then investigated fully. These included three outside of the original area.

 

This deployment which was the largest ever undertaken by UK police overseas in a case of this type, highlighted the effective nature of the assistance given by the Portuguese authorities, for which the investigation team and family are very grateful.

 

The media’s understanding and co-operation following Assistant Commissioner Rowley’s pre deployment briefing has also been noted and appreciated.

 

There is still a substantial amount of work yet to be completed in the coming weeks and months, which again should be viewed as no more than normal operational activity in a case of this size and complexity. This recent work is part of ensuring that all lines of enquiry are progressed in a systematic manner and covers just the one hypothesis that she was killed and buried locally. This is the same as would be done in the UK for a murder or high risk missing person enquiry. The scientific support staff involved were there to provide the highest level of assurance that this area was searched to the highest possible standards.

Day 2556: 02 May 2014 Monday, Madeleine Beth McCann, 3rd May 2014 - Seventh Anniversary Since Madeleine’s Abduction

MAY 2014

 

Day 2556: 02 May 2014 Monday, Madeleine Beth McCann 

Updates 

3rd May 2014 - Seventh Anniversary Since Madeleine’s Abduction

Seven years without our daughter, seven years without a big sister for Sean and Amelie. Sometimes we feel totally stuck for words. A lot of the time there are no words. Our situation seems as unbelievable as it did that very first night without Madeleine.

 

Whenever I find myself becoming paralysed with disbelief, unease, frustration or sadness, I have to refocus my mind on the positives, of which there are many.

 

The Metropolitan Police force continue to make encouraging progress in their investigation with new evidence being uncovered, fresh information coming in to the inquiry following appeals and subsequently, links being made between people and events. We are hugely grateful to the general public for continuing to support the investigation, especially those who have found the courage to come forward with information despite difficult circumstances. Whilst the MPS are cautiously optimistic of beginning enquiries on the ground in Portugal in the near future, we really hope that this will turn into a concerted effort from the Portuguese authorities as we know there is still a lot to do. Working together is key to the progress of the investigation and a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) could provide a more streamlined way of working with less bureaucracy. It may be seven years since we last saw Madeleine but the passing of further weeks and months as a result of unnecessary delays and barriers are not only frustrating, they are incredibly distressing. Each day without Madeleine and each day of not knowing is another day too many, regardless of how much time has already gone by.

 

May is an important month for all missing children and their families worldwide with May 25th being International Missing Children’s Day. This May is particularly special in the UK as a new enhanced Child Rescue Alert (CRA) system (to help find abducted and missing children in serious danger) is to be launched by the charity Missing People and the National Crime Agency. This system (based on the highly effective ‘Amber Alert’ in the USA) I believe, will help to save the lives of abducted children and ease the suffering faced by their families. It’s a very exciting step forward.

 

Throughout the whole month, the charity Missing People are running a ‘Forget-Me-Not’ campaign with several different ways for the public to get involved to help find missing children. One really important and simple way you can get on board is by signing up to the Child Rescue Alert. By registering, you will receive an alert with relevant information, by text or email, when a child is abducted in your area. This way you can join the search immediately and play a vital role in helping to find a child in danger. Please take a minute to visit www.childrescuealert.org.uk and sign up today. There are several other ways to help too – Take a look on www.missingpeople.org.uk.

 

It goes without saying, but needs to be said….We are grateful beyond words for the continued and unwavering commitment, help and love from all our faithful supporters. Thank you SO much for keeping Madeleine in your hearts.

 

 

SEVEN YEARS.

STILL MISSING.

STILL MISSED.

NEVER FORGOTTEN.

THANK YOU.

Kate

Day 2421: 18 December 2013 Wednesday, Madeleine Beth McCann, Christmas 2013

DECEMBER 2013

 

Day 2421: 18 December 2013 Wednesday, Madeleine Beth McCann 

Entry page and update

Christmas 2013  

This year seems to have passed particularly quickly - a sign undoubtedly of a very busy year. It would still be a comfort if we could slow time just a little. Thankfully however there have been some very positive aspects with regards to Madeleine. The Metropolitan police review becoming an investigation and more recently, the reopening of the case in Portugal. We are incredibly relieved and buoyed by these developments and continue to hope for further collaboration in the near future with the possibility of a JIT (joint investigation team) between Portugal and the UK to enhance the search for our dear daughter.  

 

Once again we would like to thank all our supporters for their commitment to Madeleine and their ongoing support of our efforts. Please spare a thought and prayer for all families similar to ours who will be unable to share this Christmas with a special loved one. 

 

We wish you a wonderful Christmas and a happy and peaceful 2014.

 

Kate xx

Day 2366: 24 October 2013 Thursday, Madeleine Beth McCann

Day 2366: 24 October 2013 Thursday, Madeleine Beth McCann 

 

Updates Thursday, 24 October 2013

 

We are very pleased that the investigation to find our missing daughter Madeleine has officially been reopened in Portugal. We hope that this will finally lead to her being found and the discovery of who is responsible for this crime.

 

We once again urge any member of the public who may have information relating to Madeleine's abduction to contact the police in Portugal or the UK.

 

Please be patient and respect the work of the police as they endeavour to find the answers we so desperately need. In particular, we request that the media consider carefully Madeleine’s safety and the integrity of the investigation in their reporting.

 

Thank you for your understanding and support. 

Gerry and Kate

 

Gerry and Kate will not be giving any comments regarding the progress of the investigation unless there is a significant breakthrough.