Madeleine McCann

[PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR 1]

I did not actually get what cobalt meant by

In fact it's not just the best lead in terms of an abductor, it's the only lead. Much of the information available points in another direction.

I do agree with Sunny Delight that there is nothing to suggest that the McCanns knew of the dangers.

The fact that they and friends of theirs were leaving their respective children unattended suggests that they were unaware of how dangerous what they were doing was and not that they were knowingly acting recklessly.

[Sunny Delight]

What if he, wearing gloves and perhaps putting on a cap of sorts going in, came in through the patio doors that were left unlocked and exited through the window (that way excluding the risk of being seen by the McCanns, their friends or anybody else on that side of the appartments)?

Extremely difficult to get out of such a window carrying a child. You could hypothise that the perpetrator attempted this but abandoned it as impractical. However I think there must be a link with the burglaries where entry through the windows was the modus operandi. It may well have been that this was a burglar who knew the complex well if he did come in through the window which seems to me the most likely scenario. You again could present a hypothesis whereby the perpetrator knew that once you lifted the shutters a little, if the window was unlocked you could slide it open and then maneuver the shutters up further from the inside. It could well be that the perpetrator was an opportunist in that he checked shutters and windows for such an eventuality and struck lucky on numerous occasions. It appears both the UK and German Police believe this to be likely hence the suspicion attached to Breuckner who was known as a petty thief.

I think the whole episode could have been over in less than say 3 minutes if it was a spur of the moment opportunist who decided to take Madeleine in that instance. It is also to my mind most likely that the perpetrator leaves via the bedroom leaving the door half open and exits out the front of the apartment.

[FrankO]

So how did an "abductor" get into a locked apartment, take Madeleine from her bed, and make off into the night, without leaving a trace?

What if he, wearing gloves and perhaps putting on a cap of sorts going in, came in through the patio doors that were left unlocked and exited through the window (that way excluding the risk of being seen by the McCanns, their friends or anybody else on that side of the appartments)?

[Sunny Delight]

You have zero evidence anyone was aware of the burglaries. It would be quite astounding if a resort you arrived at began laying out how many burglaries there had been or emailed you beforehand.

Too many strawmen there. Anywhere I have travelled in Europe there is usually a note somewhere in the apartment reminding guests to be careful about security and to use any safe for documents and money. Once you speak to other guests/locals in the nearest cafe/bar you will often be helpfully reminded about any problems that have occurred with theft or pickpockets. Mrs. Fenn, as a long term resident, would obviously have been one person aware of burglaries in the complex. Staff likewise would have a duty to remind guests to keep their rooms locked. So why didn't the McCanns?

I don't know how many times you have to be told that the shutters opened from outside. The claim that they did not has been proven to be false or at best misleading.

I am happy to take the PJ's verdict on the shutters until a more convincing one appears.

I don't believe the Smith's sighting is definitely an abductor with Madeleine McCann but at this moment it is the best lead.

In fact it's not just the best lead in terms of an abductor, it's the only lead. Much of the information available points in another direction.

No one has ever claimed- even the Police- that the McCanns and others were aware of the burglaries at the complex. The Ocean Club had an excellent reputation as a Mark Warner establishment. This can be seen by the people staying at the hotel- doctors and cardiologists. This was upmarket. There is no proof anyone was aware of the fact this was a hotbed for burglaries. No staff ever relayed concerns to the guests as far as can be ascertained and were even so complacent as to jot on the Tapas booking that the apartments would be empty at the certain times and the children alone. Your whole post is based on assumptions.

Much of the available evidence points in another direction? So you just refuse point blank to listen to anyone and are still stuck in the 2008 discredited theories of the PJ. Even the PJ are embarrassed by what happened then such was the complete mess they made.

[Sunny Delight]

Perhaps a useful clip taken soon after the event.

Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa, spokesman for the investigation, has confided in British former Chief Inspector Albert Kirby that neither the windows nor their shutters had been tampered with.

Albert Kirby

"I had a very interesting chat with the officer in charge. The window shutters are not an issue."

Confirming this, John Hill (resort manager) said that there was:

"no sign of a break in whatsoever"

Even the McCann's very own spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, finally conceded that:

“There was no evidence of a break-in"

This amazing U turn was covered in many newspapers:

Irish Independent

"Interestingly, Clarence Mitchell's statement about the McCanns reversal of their 'break in' story, came one week after Dispatches aired the documentary 'Searching For Madeleine' on 18 October 2007. In that documentary, it was effectively proved that there was no way anybody could break into the apartment and leave no forensic trace or damage to the lightweight aluminium shutters, which are covered with a fine coating of polyurethane paint which marks extremely easily."

So how did an "abductor" get into a locked apartment, take Madeleine from her bed, and make off into the night, without leaving a trace?

The PJ were wrong and have been proven to be wrong.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E-T4K1n30wE&pp=ygURSGVyZWJlcnRvIGphbm9zY2g%3D

I rewatched the Dispatches recently. That team did not have access to the actual shutters and were basing their hypothesis on television pictures of forensics being carried out on them. They did not have the full picture. Excellent documentary nonetheless. An abductor entered through the window. He was careful to not leave any forensics or as little as possible as this was a burglary. Maybe gloved. Enters the bedroom and just like the Aleisha McPhail case sees an opportunity. Takes Madeleine from her bed. The poor little thing was probably exhausted and in a deep sleep. Opens the bedroom door leaving it half open and then walks out the front door. If burglary was the aim he would likely have been on foot so he leaves the apartment and travels on foot. He is then seen by the Smith's. Others too may have seen him but did not place any significance to the sighting. This to my mind is a likely hypothesis.

[cobalt]

Perhaps a useful clip taken soon after the event.

Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa, spokesman for the investigation, has confided in British former Chief Inspector Albert Kirby that neither the windows nor their shutters had been tampered with.

Albert Kirby

"I had a very interesting chat with the officer in charge. The window shutters are not an issue."

Confirming this, John Hill (resort manager) said that there was:

"no sign of a break in whatsoever"

Even the McCann's very own spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, finally conceded that:

“There was no evidence of a break-in"

This amazing U turn was covered in many newspapers:

Irish Independent

"Interestingly, Clarence Mitchell's statement about the McCanns reversal of their 'break in' story, came one week after Dispatches aired the documentary 'Searching For Madeleine' on 18 October 2007. In that documentary, it was effectively proved that there was no way anybody could break into the apartment and leave no forensic trace or damage to the lightweight aluminium shutters, which are covered with a fine coating of polyurethane paint which marks extremely easily."

So how did an "abductor" get into a locked apartment, take Madeleine from her bed, and make off into the night, without leaving a trace?

[cobalt]

You have zero evidence anyone was aware of the burglaries. It would be quite astounding if a resort you arrived at began laying out how many burglaries there had been or emailed you beforehand.

Too many strawmen there. Anywhere I have travelled in Europe there is usually a note somewhere in the apartment reminding guests to be careful about security and to use any safe for documents and money. Once you speak to other guests/locals in the nearest cafe/bar you will often be helpfully reminded about any problems that have occurred with theft or pickpockets. Mrs. Fenn, as a long term resident, would obviously have been one person aware of burglaries in the complex. Staff likewise would have a duty to remind guests to keep their rooms locked. So why didn't the McCanns?

I don't know how many times you have to be told that the shutters opened from outside. The claim that they did not has been proven to be false or at best misleading.

I am happy to take the PJ's verdict on the shutters until a more convincing one appears.

I don't believe the Smith's sighting is definitely an abductor with Madeleine McCann but at this moment it is the best lead.

In fact it's not just the best lead in terms of an abductor, it's the only lead. Much of the information available points in another direction.

[Sunny Delight]

There is no ‘evidence’ that anyone came through the McCanns’ apartment window. The PJ had investigated burglaries in nearby properties and would have been well experienced in determining how thieves entered these premises, which in some cases presumably included entering through windows. However in the case of the McCanns they could find no evidence whatsoever that anyone could or did enter through the window.

What is very likely is that guests at the holiday complex were made aware of burglary as a potential problem. This would hardly be broadcast in holiday brochures but no holiday company would keep schtum about burglaries to their actual guests, purely on grounds of self-interest at the very least. So the McCann claim to have left the property unlocked not only defies common sense but most likely advice that was given on arrival.

The Smith sighting cannot be discounted since it is clearly of a male carrying a girl the same age as Madeleine McCann just prior to her being discovered missing. The suspect was around 500 yards from the apartment which suggests to me that he had no means of transport, at least nearby. Since there was a parking area behind the McCanns’ apartment this would indicate that any abduction of the girl was in no way planned by a person leaving on foot. It would also indicate he either had a property or a means of transport in the vicinity of where he was spotted.

Three eye witnesses is better than none, but no one else seems to have noticed this person. Which even in a quiet holiday resort is a little odd. He can’t be accounted for, but then neither was the suspect seen by Jane Tanner until much later. He may be the key to an abduction or a red herring. Since none of the witnesses mentioned him wearing gloves he must have been very careful not to leave any prints as he entered and left the premises.

You have zero evidence anyone was aware of the burglaries. It would be quite astounding if a resort you arrived at began laying out how many burglaries there had been or emailed you beforehand. That is not how it works. Not sure if you are European but it is extremely unlikely any guest staying at the hotel was aware of what a security risk it was. I don't know how many times you have to be told that the shutters opened from outside. The claim that they did not has been proven to be false or at best misleading.

I don't believe the Smith's sighting is definitely an abductor with Madeleine McCann but at this moment it is the best lead.

[Abby Normal]

thanks Sunny
I beleive Brueckner is blonde. none of the descriptions say blonde hair. I would think his hair would even be blonder being in Portugal and in the sun for prolonged periods, especially that one of the descriptions of him was that he tanned. The rest seems to be a pretty good fit though.

obviously meant to say.. he was tanned.

[Abby Normal]

There is no ‘evidence’ that anyone came through the McCanns’ apartment window. The PJ had investigated burglaries in nearby properties and would have been well experienced in determining how thieves entered these premises, which in some cases presumably included entering through windows. However in the case of the McCanns they could find no evidence whatsoever that anyone could or did enter through the window.

What is very likely is that guests at the holiday complex were made aware of burglary as a potential problem. This would hardly be broadcast in holiday brochures but no holiday company would keep schtum about burglaries to their actual guests, purely on grounds of self-interest at the very least. So the McCann claim to have left the property unlocked not only defies common sense but most likely advice that was given on arrival.

The Smith sighting cannot be discounted since it is clearly of a male carrying a girl the same age as Madeleine McCann just prior to her being discovered missing. The suspect was around 500 yards from the apartment which suggests to me that he had no means of transport, at least nearby. Since there was a parking area behind the McCanns’ apartment this would indicate that any abduction of the girl was in no way planned by a person leaving on foot. It would also indicate he either had a property or a means of transport in the vicinity of where he was spotted.

Three eye witnesses is better than none, but no one else seems to have noticed this person. Which even in a quiet holiday resort is a little odd. He can’t be accounted for, but then neither was the suspect seen by Jane Tanner until much later. He may be the key to an abduction or a red herring. Since none of the witnesses mentioned him wearing gloves he must have been very careful not to leave any prints as he entered and left the premises.

it absolutely blows my mind that they would leave their three babies alone and unattended in an unlocked ground level apartment at night in a foreign country with easy access to and from tje road and general public. They even had to leave the resort grounds from their room and walk down the road just to get to the restaurant. especially even after maddie had said that morning.. mommy why didnt you come when we cried last night? like wasnt their danger radar even up at that point?!?!

[cobalt]

There is no ‘evidence’ that anyone came through the McCanns’ apartment window. The PJ had investigated burglaries in nearby properties and would have been well experienced in determining how thieves entered these premises, which in some cases presumably included entering through windows. However in the case of the McCanns they could find no evidence whatsoever that anyone could or did enter through the window.

What is very likely is that guests at the holiday complex were made aware of burglary as a potential problem. This would hardly be broadcast in holiday brochures but no holiday company would keep schtum about burglaries to their actual guests, purely on grounds of self-interest at the very least. So the McCann claim to have left the property unlocked not only defies common sense but most likely advice that was given on arrival.

The Smith sighting cannot be discounted since it is clearly of a male carrying a girl the same age as Madeleine McCann just prior to her being discovered missing. The suspect was around 500 yards from the apartment which suggests to me that he had no means of transport, at least nearby. Since there was a parking area behind the McCanns’ apartment this would indicate that any abduction of the girl was in no way planned by a person leaving on foot. It would also indicate he either had a property or a means of transport in the vicinity of where he was spotted.

Three eye witnesses is better than none, but no one else seems to have noticed this person. Which even in a quiet holiday resort is a little odd. He can’t be accounted for, but then neither was the suspect seen by Jane Tanner until much later. He may be the key to an abduction or a red herring. Since none of the witnesses mentioned him wearing gloves he must have been very careful not to leave any prints as he entered and left the premises.

[Abby Normal]

There are some e-fits based on the Smiths sighting. I wouldn't suggest there is a great deal of likeness to Breuckner in how in looked at that time on photos I have seen. But the Smith's descriptions are below:

Martin Smith: Regarding the description of the individual who carried the child he states that: he was Caucasian, around 175 to 180m in height. He appeared to be about 35/40 years old. He had an average build, a bit on the thin side. His hair was short, in a basic male cut, brown in colour. He cannot state if it was dark or lighter in tone. He did not wear glasses and had no beard or moustache. He did not notice any other relevant details partly due to the fact that the lighting was not very good.

Aoife Smith: The individual was male, Caucasian, light-skinned, between 20/30 years of age, of normal physical build, around 1,70/1,75 metres in height. At the time she saw his face but now cannot remember it. She thinks that he had a clean-shaven face. She does not remember seeing tattoos, scars or earrings. She did not notice his ears. His hair was thick-ish, light brown in colour, short at the back (normal) and longer on top.

It should be noted that Aoife was only 12 years old so its a really incredible statement from one so young.

Peter Smith:

The description of the individual who carried the child was: Caucasian, around 175 to 180 cm tall. About 35 years, or older. He was somewhat tanned as a result of sun exposure. Average build, in good shape. Short hair, brown in colour. He does not remember if he wore glasses, or had a beard or a moustache. He did not notice any other relevant details as the lighting was bad.

thanks Sunny
I beleive Brueckner is blonde. none of the descriptions say blonde hair. I would think his hair would even be blonder being in Portugal and in the sun for prolonged periods, especially that one of the descriptions of him was that he tanned. The rest seems to be a pretty good fit though.

[PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR 1]

I take strong issue with this statement. I am not holier than thou nor do I pretend to be . But if you think that me mentioning never leaving my daughter alone in a chalet or apartment in the evening while I enjoyed myself makes me sound like that then you are mistaken. What the Mcanns did was wrong , totally and utterly and there is no defending it. If they had taken greater care of Maddie that evening she would still be alive

I think we are referring to different matters.

I was not referring to Kate McCann's leaving Madeleine alone.

I was referring to her leaving Madeleine's siblings alone immediately after she realised Madeleine was missing.

[PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR 1]

It was rampant misogyny on a grand scale.

I am inclined to agree, especially as something so similar - and even worse - happened to Lindy Chamberlain and also because it seems that in both cases, the main target was the mother and not the father.

[Darryl Kenyon]

Criticising Kate McCann for leaving her two remaining children alone and becoming hysterical about Madeleine's disappearance really does smack of a holier-than-thou attitude.

I take strong issue with this statement. I am not holier than thou nor do I pretend to be . But if you think that me mentioning never leaving my daughter alone in a chalet or apartment in the evening while I enjoyed myself makes me sound like that then you are mistaken. What the Mcanns did was wrong , totally and utterly and there is no defending it. If they had taken greater care of Maddie that evening she would still be alive