So what actual searching was there?

[Mr Gray]

It would be up to OG to follow this up.  The armchair detectives just don't have enough information.
Everyone there is a potential suspect and if their statements change over time that becomes an inconsistency.

That's if the statements do change but if we do not know how accurate the first statements, are we cannot be sure of any change

[Brietta]

It would be up to OG to follow this up.  The armchair detectives just don't have enough information.
Everyone there is a potential suspect and if their statements change over time that becomes an inconsistency.

I would be inclined to think that the present investigation has progressed well beyond 2007 and early 2008.  The information to hand in those early years was checked out by Scotland Yard investigators and those of the Policia Judiciaria independent of each other, each discovering gaps in the investigation. 

Which is precisely what cold case reviews are set up to ascertain.

They interviewed those who had not been interviewed at the time and I am sure these interviews were cross referenced with existing ones.

I have no doubt that the present investigation centres on the here and now.
I am uneasy about any question being raised regarding any named individual.  It is inappropriate and I think potentially libellous, for us who do not have the big picture of eleven years of police work to make anything of people whose only 'crime' was to be present in one capacity or another in Luz when Madeleine vanished.

[jassi]

I would be inclined to think that the present investigation has progressed well beyond 2007 and early 2008.  The information to hand in those early years was checked out by Scotland Yard investigators and those of the Policia Judiciaria independent of each other, each discovering gaps in the investigation. 

Which is precisely what cold case reviews are set up to ascertain.

They interviewed those who had not been interviewed at the time and I am sure these interviews were cross referenced with existing ones.

I have no doubt that the present investigation centres on the here and now.
I am uneasy about any question being raised regarding any named individual.  It is inappropriate and I think potentially libellous, for us who do not have the big picture of eleven years of police work to make anything of people whose only 'crime' was to be present in one capacity or another in Luz when Madeleine vanished.

After so many years of investigative effort, one would certainly hope so.

[Robittybob1]

I would be inclined to think that the present investigation has progressed well beyond 2007 and early 2008.  The information to hand in those early years was checked out by Scotland Yard investigators and those of the Policia Judiciaria independent of each other, each discovering gaps in the investigation. 

Which is precisely what cold case reviews are set up to ascertain.

They interviewed those who had not been interviewed at the time and I am sure these interviews were cross referenced with existing ones.

I have no doubt that the present investigation centres on the here and now.
I am uneasy about any question being raised regarding any named individual.  It is inappropriate and I think potentially libellous, for us who do not have the big picture of eleven years of police work to make anything of people whose only 'crime' was to be present in one capacity or another in Luz when Madeleine vanished.

Who was the man standing watching the McCann family? 

The origin of the photo is discussed here http://www.gerrymccannsblogs.co.uk/press/1may7/SKY_27_05_07.htm

Some have suggested that the person was Raj Balu but I doubted that.

[Brietta]

Who was the man standing watching the McCann family? 

The origin of the photo is discussed here http://www.gerrymccannsblogs.co.uk/press/1may7/SKY_27_05_07.htm

Some have suggested that the person was Raj Balu but I doubted that.

I've no idea who he is ... but, in my opinion, you can bet your bottom dollar the the PJ and SY do.

[Mr Gray]

p82 "At long last dawn broke."

p83 "As soon as it was light Gerry and I resumed our search."

p83 "The most striking thing about this is we were all alone."

This history is problematic for me.  I have been out in Luz around dawn on multiple occasions, and never once have I experienced such emptiness.

It is a time when the older ex-pats get an early morning stroll in.  It is a time when the dog-walkers socialise on the beach.  It is a time when the câmara workers clear the front up before the majority of early morning ex-pats/tourists mess it up again.  It is a time when the rubbish lorries are trying to clear central bins in Luz before traffic makes it harder.  It is a time when the early-morning cafés are setting up for business.  If the Habana ever gets its webcam working properly again, you can check when its set-up squad goes into work.  I've seen them active before dawn.

It is a very sociable time.  It is considered extremely rude to not exchange conversation with these early morning people.  It is almost like a club - we are the owners of the madrugada (dawn, early morning).

I'm not sure  if my reply registered.... There may be other explanations for this... Kate said they searched and I see no reason to disbelieve her

[Robittybob1]

I'm not sure  if my reply registered.... There may be other explanations for this... Kate said they searched and I see no reason to disbelieve her

Certainly the night of Madeleine's disappearance would have been unusual for PdL so that could affect the activity the next morning too.  There were people still searching IMO but just not seen by the McCanns. Certainly not as many as earlier in the morning. 

[Angelo222]

snipped -  In the initial stage of the search, devote your time to providing information to and answering questions from investigators. Once you discover that your child is missing, you will desperately want to help with the search. You may, in fact, wonder how you possibly can stand by and let others look for your child. But the reality is that in most instances, the best use of your energy is not on the physical search itself. Rather, you need to provide information to and answer questions from investigators and to be at home in the event your child calls. The checklist Gathering Evidence in the First 48 Hours identifies the most crucial pieces of background information and evidence that law enforcement will need in the search for your child.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/51536615/Family-Survival-Guide-When-Your-Child-is-Missing

The answering questions bit went really well didn't it?  On the advice of her lawyer, Dr Healey exploited her right to refuse to answer the 49 very simple questions put to her by the investigating officers. Why was she so afraid to cooperate with the police who after all were merely trying to exclude them as suspects.

Is it any wonder so many people think her complicit in her daughter's disappearance.

[John]

A reminder to all members as we approach the bank holiday weekend.

Comments should be appropriate to the thread header or opening post.  Spamming, nitpicking, goading, abuse, put-downs or any other activity contrary to the forum rules will attract sanctions.

This has traditionally been an emotional time for posters on the Madeleine McCann board so please consider carefully what you post before pressing the post button. Civility costs nothing!

Please treat other users with respect regardless of their views.  TY

[Miss Taken Identity]

There is still too much contradiction with regards to the searching. Kate talking about eerie silent them being alone searching, and SIL telling about the early morning bustle (which I do believe I have witnessed this many times in resorts- especially towel wrestling with the Germans for the deck chair...:))
too many things just do not add up at all from the TAPAS story.

[Mr Gray]

There is still too much contradiction with regards to the searching. Kate talking about eerie silent them being alone searching, and SIL telling about the early morning bustle (which I do believe I have witnessed this many times in resorts- especially towel wrestling with the Germans for the deck chair...:))
too many things just do not add up at all from the TAPAS story.

Again.. In your opinion... IMO I find nothing that makes me doubt the McCann's version of events

[sadie]

There is still too much contradiction with regards to the searching. Kate talking about eerie silent them being alone searching, and SIL telling about the early morning bustle (which I do believe I have witnessed this many times in resorts- especially towel wrestling with the Germans for the deck chair...:))
too many things just do not add up at all from the TAPAS story.

And do you think that the people that SIL tells us about going out early, would be out in numbers on a cool blustery morning?  And at the very first light?

If any were out so early, if they were unaware of Madeleine having gone missing ... and unaware of just who the couple were, do you think that they would have taken note of them ? 

Just a couple of strangers, after all.

[ShiningInLuz]

And do you think that the people that SIL tells us about going out early, would be out in numbers on a cool blustery morning?  And at the very first light?

If any were out so early, if they were unaware of Madeleine having gone missing ... and unaware of just who the couple were, do you think that they would have taken note of them ? 

Just a couple of strangers, after all.

Kate and Gerry allegedly saw no one.

[sadie]

Kate and Gerry allegedly saw no one.

They were all eyes for their search, no doubt

And I wonder if all these people that you talk about are out at the absolute crack of dawn as Kate and Gerry were?   

Most people do not rise before daylight.  They then have a cuppa, a shower  and get dressed and possibly a glance at the news on TV.  In unpleasant conditions they probably would not venture out until it got a little warmer.

Kate and Gerry were searching at the crack of dawn.  I doubt they showered etc, first and they had a purpose.  They didn't hang about.

AIMO

[Miss Taken Identity]

And do you think that the people that SIL tells us about going out early, would be out in numbers on a cool blustery morning?  And at the very first light?

If any were out so early, if they were unaware of Madeleine having gone missing ... and unaware of just who the couple were, do you think that they would have taken note of them ? 

Just a couple of strangers, after all.

Sadie are you seriously suggesting a child going missing was not discussed at all among workers/staff? And are you seriously suggesting it was too cold for delivery drivers and street cleaners to go to work that morning?

 I do admire your attempt to write  off people who do not believe in your theory or the McCanns story, but we have to be realistic about these things.

There is NO evidence of Kate and Gerry going out early  to search without being seen by anyone, and there is no evidence that early morning workers took that morning off work because it was a bit cold...