Police look at new leads in Madeleine case
Tuesday, 21 Aug 2007 08:05
Madeleine has been missing for 110 days
Police are looking into two new developments in the search for Madeleine McCann.
Detectives are awaiting evidence from forensic tests after sniffer dogs searching for clues detected new evidence during investigations in the resort and areas nearby.
They are also looking into reports that an intruder may be behind her disappearance after news emerged that the holiday resort in the Algarve had seen many break-ins in the days before she went missing from an apartment there.
Portuguese media have claimed that the case is entering a "decisive" stage as the authorities follow up the latest information.
The new information means that police can now widen the net beyond the only suspect in the case so far, Robert Murat. Mr Murat's house has been searched twice, but police have reportedly found no evidence in their investigations into the man who was holidaying at the same time Madeleine disappeared.
The failed searches led to speculation that Kate and Gerry McCann were involved in their daughter's disappearance.
The four-year-old from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from the Praia da Luz resort on May 3rd and her parents have spearheaded an international campaign to help locate her.
There have been reported sightings of Madeleine around the world - including in Malta, France and Belgium - in the 110 days since she has been missing, but none have led to her recovery.
Mr McCann's blog states that he and his wife have raised donations of over £1 million in the hunt for their daughter.
In a statement on findmadeleine.com, he said: "The establishment of the fund, which was created in response to so many people offering financial assistance, lifted a huge weight off our shoulders."
While he stressed he was grateful for the donations received so far, Mr McCann said that he was disappointed that the main objective of the fund had not been achieved yet.