Eddie and Keela and what the alerts meant if anything.

[Robittybob1]

That does look like the 5a apartment cupboard.

Without a doubt.

[misty]

https://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/GERRY-MCCANN-ARGUIDO.htm  (Sept 7th)

" When asked about the contents of the wardrobe in his room that can be seen in the photographs, he says that on top is a suitcase and below a pile of dirty clothes that he cannot make out. This wardrobe was opened to look for Madeleine."

[Robittybob1]

https://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/GERRY-MCCANN-ARGUIDO.htm  (Sept 7th)

" When asked about the contents of the wardrobe in his room that can be seen in the photographs, he says that on top is a suitcase and below a pile of dirty clothes that he cannot make out. This wardrobe was opened to look for Madeleine."

So no one looked into the suitcase according to Gerry.

[Billy Whizz Fan Club]

So no one looked into the suitcase according to Gerry.

But to continue hiding a corpse in there after raising the alarm would have been far too risky, IMO.

[Robittybob1]

But to continue hiding a corpse in there after raising the alarm would have been far too risky, IMO.

Exactly - that's why in my theory I'd say it is not the McCanns who hid a corpse in the bag.

[Billy Whizz Fan Club]

Exactly - that's why in my theory I'd say it is not the McCanns who hid a corpse in the bag.

Don't you believe there wasn't a corpse to hide?

[misty]

So no one looked into the suitcase according to Gerry.

How could Madeleine have placed herself in the suitcase on the shelf?

[Robittybob1]

Don't you believe there wasn't a corpse to hide?

It is rather hard to describe but try and picture this. 
I think there was the intention to play a trick on Kate, for the friends thought it so wrong to have let Madeleine come to the Tapas if she wanted to.

So they were going to emphasise the risk of being interfered with.  What degree I have not been able to determine.
There was plan 1, but something comes up and the emphasis can be made even stronger so they go with plan 2.

Someone delivers a cadaver in a bag to the McCann's apartment.

But the people playing the prank don't realise Madeleine has been woken by an earlier attempted burglary, she is hiding when Matt comes in, and takes off when someone else comes in to set up the scene.

The priority then becomes one of locating Madeleine and the scene is not set, and the cadaver hence is left in the apartment.

Kate doesn't know about the corpse and doesn't think of looking in the suitcase.

[Robittybob1]

How could Madeleine have placed herself in the suitcase on the shelf?

It is not Madeleine in the suitcase.  As I say Madeleine takes off out the front door, the person who scared her, closes the front door and goes back out through the patio door closing the gates behind them.

The person looks for Madeleine but she isn't found.  Kate does her check and they all join in the search for her.

[Billy Whizz Fan Club]

It is rather hard to describe but try and picture this. 
I think there was the intention to play a trick on Kate, for the friends thought it so wrong to have let Madeleine come to the Tapas if she wanted to.

So they were going to emphasise the risk of being interfered with.  What degree I have not been able to determine.
There was plan 1, but something comes up and the emphasis can be made even stronger so they go with plan 2.

Someone delivers a cadaver in a bag to the McCann's apartment.

But the people playing the prank don't realise Madeleine has been woken by an earlier attempted burglary, she is hiding when Matt comes in, and takes off when someone else comes in to set up the scene.

The priority then becomes one of locating Madeleine and the scene is not set, and the cadaver hence is left in the apartment.

Kate doesn't know about the corpse and doesn't think of looking in the suitcase.

Nope - I can't picture that happening. Who goes round delivering corpses as part of a prank? 

[misty]

It is not Madeleine in the suitcase.  As I say Madeleine takes off out the front door, the person who scared her, closes the front door and goes back out through the patio door closing the gates behind them.

The person looks for Madeleine but she isn't found.  Kate does her check and they all join in the search for her.

So who removed the suitcase containing the hypothetical cadaver from 5A?

[Robittybob1]

Nope - I can't picture that happening. Who goes round delivering corpses as part of a prank? 

Not normal people at least.  But didn't Kate have to deal with 6 in her last week at work?

[Robittybob1]

So who removed the suitcase containing the hypothetical cadaver from 5A?

That is the mystery that needs explaining doesn't it.

Goncalo blames the McCanns. (I'm sure he's convinced that it was Madeleine in the bag and that is when they got her out of the apartment.)

But as time has gone on I think there was a window of opportunity when the McCanns go up stairs to the Payne's apartment and the PJ leave and lock up G5A.  Someone with a key could have come in and taken it out.

[misty]

That is the mystery that needs explaining doesn't it.

Goncalo blames the McCanns. (I'm sure he's convinced that it was Madeleine in the bag and that is when they got her out of the apartment.)

But as time has gone on I think there was a window of opportunity when the McCanns go up stairs to the Payne's apartment and the PJ leave and lock up G5A.  Someone with a key could have come in and taken it out.

The CSI officers didn't leave 5A until 4am. https://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/JOAO_BARREIRAS.htm
Why would someone risk leaving a corpse in a suitcase to be found by searchers anyway?
Who would have been hanging around until after 4am, hidden in plain sight, with a key to facilitate access to 5A?

[Robittybob1]

The CSI officers didn't leave 5A until 4am. https://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/JOAO_BARREIRAS.htm
Why would someone risk leaving a corpse in a suitcase to be found by searchers anyway?
Who would have been hanging around until after 4am, hidden in plain sight, with a key to facilitate access to 5A?

  I don't know but they wouldn't want to go in there while the PJ are still there IMO.  If it is a matter of spending time in custody it probably is worth your while to wait till the coast is clear. 
Didn't the PJ go out to a bar before they went home?