18/08/2008

Maddie Alive, Says Dad

Determined dad Gerry McCann does not accept the verdict of the Portuguese police files that claim his lost daughter Madeleine is "most probably" dead.

Almost a month after the official investigation into her disappearance from the family's holiday apartment closed, he believes fresh leads that are coming forward will finally help track his daughter.

As a result, Gerry and his wife Kate McCann have launched a fresh plea for information about missing Madeleine - and he still strongly believes his daughter will be found alive.

The assessment of the authorities in Portugal was revealed when the official investigation files were passed to the media just over a week ago and in his weblog, Gerry pleaded with anyone who had been in contact in relation to Madeleine's disappearance to now contact the private investigators the family have hired to find her.

Mr McCann said: "It is over three weeks since we learned that the Portuguese authorities had closed the investigation to find Madeleine, lifted our arguido status and ended judicial secrecy.

"We were surprised that copies of investigation files were given to the media. The content of these files has been extensively reported.

"It will be clear to everyone now that there is absolutely no evidence that suggests Madeleine has been seriously harmed.

"Knowing this, we strongly believe that Madeleine is out there and can be found.

"Our investigators continue to explore credible leads and will continue to do so as long as Madeleine is missing.

"Now that the authorities are no longer looking for Madeleine we implore everyone who has provided information to the enquiry to contact us."

Madeleine was abducted on 3rd May 2007 in Praia da Luz, Portugal, nine days before her 4th birthday.

She was taken from the McCann's holiday apartment where she was sleeping with her younger brother and sister whilst they were dining 50 yards away.

Despite a massive investigation led by the Portuguese police and supported by the British police, no one knows who has taken her, why she was taken or where she is.

See: investigation@findmadeleine.com

(BMcC/KMcA)

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