Truth For Madeleine » Timeline

Sunday May 13

admin — Sun, 13 May 2007 06:01:58 +0000

• It emerges London lawyers from the International Family Law Group have flown out to Portugal to assist Gerry and Kate McCann, and are setting up a special “fighting fund” to allow members of the public to make their own financial contribution to the search.

Saturday May 12

admin — Sat, 12 May 2007 06:01:27 +0000

• Madeleine turns four. Residents in Rothley were considering baking a cake and holding a party to mark the milestone – but relatives say they would only want the celebration to take place when she returns and the birthday is postponed.
• Her parents mark the day by calling for people to redouble their efforts to find her.
• A group of business figures, celebrities and a national newspaper offer a reward of £1.5 million for information leading to Madeleine’s safe return. Entrepreneurs including Sir Richard Branson and Sir Philip Green are among those who join together to offer the huge sum, bringing the total amount of money now being offered in the search to more than £2.5 million.
• Chancellor Gordon Brown expresses his sympathy for Madeleine’s parents and says his thoughts are with them.

Friday May 11

admin — Fri, 11 May 2007 06:01:55 +0000

• Madeleine’s father vows his family will leave “no stone unturned” in the search for her. On the eve of Madeleine’s fourth birthday, Mr McCann says he and his wife were grateful for the worldwide support.
• Three British people are believed to have been taken in by police for questioning. It is believed they are potential witnesses rather than suspects.
• A businessman offers a reward of £1 million for information leading to the return of Madeleine. Owner of Scottish health spa Stobo Castle Stephen Winyard, 57, who lives in Monaco, said he was moved to come forward by photographs of Madeleine’s distraught parents.
• David Beckham makes a television appeal for information from the public. In the broadcast, shown on Sky News, the former England captain says: “If you have seen this little girl please go to the local authorities or the police with any genuine information. Please, please help us.”

Thursday May 10

admin — Thu, 10 May 2007 06:01:19 +0000

• Kate McCann leads villagers and holidaymakers in prayer at the local church in Praia Da Luz a week after Madeleine disappeared.
• Crimestoppers says it has passed on four pieces of “very useful” information from hundreds of calls made to the special number set up by the charity.
• Reports say police are investigating the possibility that Madeleine was snatched by a group of three – two men and a woman.
• The footage from the petrol station is also described as possibly holding the “key” to the investigation.
• Police say in a press conference that the search for Madeleine is being wound down. They also issue an image of a pair of pyjamas identical to those which Madeleine had been wearing when she disappeared.
• It is thought the McCanns may have been shown pictures of two suspects during a visit to a police station in Portimao.
• Four other people, believed to be friends of the McCanns, are also questioned.

Wednesday May 9

admin — Wed, 09 May 2007 06:01:43 +0000

• Gerry and Kate McCann say in a short statement they continue to “remain positive” and thank all those taking part in the search.
• Police examine a CCTV tape from a service station just a few miles from Praia da Luz showing a woman with a girl fitting Madeleine’s description.
• An internet appeal in English, Portuguese and Spanish is launched while Crimestoppers also creates an international number for people with information.
• Madeleine’s grandmother says that mistakes could have been initially made in the police investigation due to “inexperience”.

Tuesday May 8

admin — Tue, 08 May 2007 06:01:02 +0000

• People in Madeleine’s home village of Rothley, Leicestershire, hold a silent vigil for the family.
• Portuguese reports claim detectives are investigating British paedophiles with links to the Algarve.
• Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo makes his own appeal for help in tracing the missing three-year-old, and is later followed by fellow footballers John Terry and Paulo Ferreira.
• Portuguese police say an apparent sighting of the youngster is a false alarm, and also reveal that more than 350 suspicious incidents have been investigated.
• British Ambassador to Portugal John Buck defends the Portuguese investigation after meeting with the McCanns.

Monday May 7

admin — Mon, 07 May 2007 06:01:26 +0000

• Police begin investigating a claim a man was seen dragging a girl towards a marina a short drive from the Portuguese resort where she went missing.
• Portuguese media later report that police think the abductor may have been British but this remains unconfirmed by officers involved in the investigation.
• Mrs McCann makes another personal plea to anyone holding her daughter, saying: “Please, please do not hurt her. Please do not scare her. Please let us know where to find Madeleine or put her in a place of safety and tell somebody where.”
• Portuguese police later hold a chaotic press conference where they say they cannot give Madeleine’s family any firm assurance that she is still alive or still in the region.

Sunday May 6

admin — Sun, 06 May 2007 06:01:34 +0000

• The McCanns attend an emotional Mother’s Day service in Praia Da Luz and prayers are said for Madeleine and her family in both Portuguese and English.
• Mrs McCann then breaks down with emotion as she addresses reporters to express her gratitude for the local community’s support.
• Questions arise about the police’s sketch of a “suspect” with one newspaper reporting the image is based only on the rear view of a man seen with a child in the area.

Saturday May 5

admin — Sat, 05 May 2007 06:01:56 +0000

• Three Family Liaison Officers (FLO) from Leicestershire Police arrive in Portugal to support the family.
• Madeleine’s aunt Philomena McCann criticises the Portuguese police, claiming they had played down her disappearance and were being “uncommunicative”.
• Detectives reveal they do now believe she was abducted but is still alive and in Portugal, and say they have a sketch of a “suspect”. Police also reveal they are considering she might have been abducted for sexual abuse.
• Mr McCann makes a fresh appeal for help and thanks the police for their efforts.
• A colleague of Madeleine’s mother offers a £100,000 reward for help in finding the missing girl.

Friday May 4

admin — Fri, 04 May 2007 06:01:10 +0000

• Sniffer dogs are brought in, the Spanish and border police and airports are notified and volunteer teams continue to comb the village, resort and beach for clues.
• Fears grow that Madeleine has been taken against her will and her parents accuse the Portuguese police of not doing enough to find her.
• The Policia Judiciaria – the Portuguese CID – refuses to comment on the investigation into the girl’s disappearance.
• Relatives including Madeleine’s grandparents start flying out to Portugal to offer support to her parents as they continue to wait for news.
• The British Ambassador to Portugal, John Stephen Buck, and director of Mark Warner UK Operations Craig Mayhew also travel to the Algarve.
• The McCanns later make an emotional plea, directly addressing their daughter’s abductors, and speak of their “anguish and despair”.
With his wife at his side clutching Madeleine’s favourite teddy, Mr McCann asks: “Please, if you have Madeleine, let her come home to her Mummy, Daddy, brother and sister.”