The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann

The episode begins with a reporter, Sandra Felgueiras, explaining the strange phenomenon that occurred after Madeleine disappeared. Dates no longer held any meaning. Time was recorded based on how long it had been since the three year old disappeared. While it was probably a slight exaggeration, it shows how this case gripped the entire world. In the U.S. alone, approximately 2,300 children go missing daily. Albeit, most of these have less than malicious intent. So, why did Madeleine’s disappearance grip the world the way it did? Well, as said in the documentary, Madeleine was an “attractive” girl who disappeared on the perfect family trip. While I disagree with using the word attractive to describe a toddler, this is right. She was a white, blonde haired little girl. She is objectively an adorable child. Furthermore, her story was something parent’s could relate to. She was on vacation in a safe place, this event challenged the idea of what safety is. In no time reporters from around the world had arrived in Praia da Luz to report on the case. The small street leading to the resort was flooded with reporters. The small space and profile of the abduction lead to fights amongst reporters over space and territory during reporting. Some on air 24/7, they reported everything they got their hands on. Even going as far as hounding tourists to get information no one else had gotten to yet. While this did not happen, it gave the world something to watch. Which was arguably their goal to begin with.

The documentary then shares old footage taken shortly after Madeleine went missing. It shows how easy it was for the adults to see the apartment the McCanns were staying in. There was shrubbery along the public path to the building, but it was thin enough for the adults to still have full view of the apartment. Why was this important? It showed the public, and the police, that someone had most likely been watching the family's nightly routine.

As dogs, helicopters and search teams combed the area, the McCanns held onto hope. On the second night of the search, the McCann’s held another press conference. This was different from the police, who by the third day, still had not released any information. While this sounds horrible, it is a common tactic used in such cases. It is in the police’s best interest to hold back certain pieces of information. They cannot let the perpetrator know what they know. This is later commented on by former chief investigating coordinator, Goncalo Amaral. Nonetheless, reporters were annoyed by their lack of communication. They used the thin veiled lie of “they just wanted to know so they could inform the public.” But, I think most of us can agree that they just needed information to keep their views up. But, I digress. Amaral shares that originally, no one really knew who he was. Something he was grateful for. It allowed him to walk around without being harassed by the hundreds of reporters who infested the area. As previously mentioned, police often hide certain pieces of information from the public. Amaral states that while the public does have the right to know what is going on, they need to hold the case at higher priority. Policia Judiciara procedure calls for an investigation done based on secrecy, creating a safeguard to find the truth. Essentially, it is done to protect the investigation.

This lack of information leads to not only reporters, but the public, to begin speculating. Thus, the rumor mill seen in every big case was born. By day three, CCTV footage was shown of a woman with a little girl matching Madeleine’s description in a convenience store. Then, a man acting shifty with a similar looking girl was seen in a supermarket. The episode also mentions a man with a girl walking towards a marina. None of these led anywhere, none of the girls were Madeleine. But with no information, combined with everyone wanting to find her, these are common claims and sightings made during investigations. One reporter, Robert Hall, claimed that with the lack of information given to them, assumptions had to be made. This is a dangerous idea to have. Speculation and rumors rarely lead to the real answer. Instead, they lead to witch hunts. But, this all circles back to their attempts to captivate audiences.

Jon Clarke, a freelance journalist, recalls that during his reporting he saw many detectives on the scene. However, they either did not know what they were doing, or simply just did not want to. This is contradictory to Amaral’s following statement about the importance of the first 72 hours of police investigation. While this is true, especially in cases of abducted children, there are many things that portray a different image. But, we’ll get to that later. The documentary continues to explain that police had to go door to door to talk to different individuals in the surrounding area. A task that was difficult for this time of year. During this particular season, the population of Praia da Luz tripled in size to 1.5 million people.

Back to the failings of the police investigation, Ernie Allen, former president of the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, comments on police departments such as the one looking for Madeleine. He explains that it is very difficult for departments with a lack of people, resources and experience with missing children to conduct an investigation like this. This was made clear by a number of things the police did, or did not to. For starters, check points looking for Madeleine or an abductor on the run are absolutely essential. But, footage of one of these check points were released. They were disturbing to say the least. In the footage, you can see police avoiding the rain by sitting in their cars. During this, dozens of cars, including a large van with blacked out windows, drives by. None of them were searched. While it is possible none of these cars had Madeleine, this is something we will never know due to their laziness. This becomes especially frustrating to see when Amaral returns to explain that it only takes about an hour to an hour and a half to reach the border and leave Portugal. He follows this statement by saying this circumstance makes some things harder to stop. While this is true, it is clear that during the most crucial times, police were not even trying. Is there a chance that they did not miss anything during this time because the abductor did not go that way? Yes. Adversely, is it possible that they did miss something because there was no effort? Yes. Again, this is something we will probably never get an answer to.

Finally, police held a press conference to share a description of a person of interest. his was given to them by Jane Tanner’s description of a man she saw carrying a child the night Madeleine disappeared (this is explained in episode one). He explains to the public that the man was white, between 30-45 years old, had a medium build, and was about 5’10”. Using Jane’s description, a sketch artist was called in to draw this person of interest. Which leads us to one of the biggest fails of the investigation. The notorious sketch, nicknamed an egg with hair, was then released to the public. It had an oval shaped head, with a few pieces of hair drawn on. If a little girl’s life was not in danger, this would be funny. Instead, it portrays how the McCann family was failed time and time again. Even Amaral commented that the sketch was ridiculous.

Released sketch of the alleged kidnapper

The McCanns had connections in the media. In order to draw more attention to Madeleine, they used them as much as they could. In another press conference, Gerry held onto Kate while she said the following, “we’d like to say a few words to the person who has Madeleine, or has been with her. Madeleine is a beautiful, bright funny and caring little girl.” She goes on to pleading with them to bring her back, or at least leave her somewhere safe to be found. This is a common tactic used in missing person’s cases. In an effort to humanize the victim, the family will talk about who they are. This is all done with the intent of pulling on the abductor’s heart strings in order to convince them to let the abducted person go. A tactic like this can produce mixed results. In simple terms, some abductors simply do not care. They have no regard for human life, which lead to the abduction in the first place. Amaral goes onto criticizing the timing of this conference. Explaining that it was too premature. They lead to the possibility of putting too much pressure on whoever took Madeleine. Making them feel like they are going to be caught soon. Consequently, this puts Madeleine in jeopardy of being killed, even if that was not the original intent. He goes onto make a comment that personally, I disagree with. The family asked the public to keep an eye out for a unique physical feature of Madeleine’s, a birthmark on her right eye. Amaral refers to this as “the mark of death”. Yet again claiming this puts pressure on her captor, jeopardizing her life. While I’d like to believe he has his reasons for this belief, I disagree. I think it helps the public filter out sightings that are not Madeleine. It helps individualize her from the millions of blonde haired three year olds.

Shortly after Madeleine went missing, Mother’s Day in Portugal arrived. On that day, Kate McCann was seen attending an English Mother’s Day mass at a local church. Following the mass, more locals were asked about the distraught mother. Everyone who saw Kate that day felt horrible for the McCann family. One woman even remarked that there were, “no words to describe what we saw in her heart.” It was evident that at this point, locals sympathized deeply for the McCanns. Most even participated in the countless searches for the toddler. Kate and Gerry were nothing short of thankful for the support given to them by the people of Praia da Luz. At the press conference held that evening, Kate thanked the locals for their assistance and support.

The documentary fast forwards to the sixth day for Madeleine’s disappearance. At this point, the searches were still being conducted with the intention of finding Madeleine alive. This was a hopeful, yet unrealistic expectation. Nonetheless, searches drudged on, doing everything they could to bring the McCann’s miracle baby home. During this time, Amaral explains how the police began investigating the local neighborhood. Specifically, they looked at who lived there, how long they lived there, who recently left the neighborhood, etc. Finally, checkpoints were being set up and local campsites were combed. However, we already know these searches produced nothing but false hope. Ernie Allen from the NCMEC, returns on the screen. This time to critique the strategies used for the searches. As he previously mentioned, small, inexperienced departments with a lack of resources struggle to properly handle cases such as Madeleine’s. Knowing this, we hope that this is why the investigation failed the way we did. It is easier for us to accept this. Much easier than considering that maybe they did not care. Allen continues to explain that while they should have been searching fields and bodies of water (as they did), more should have been done. Years running the center had taught Allen the best ways to find a missing child. He lists strategies like an organized, scientific grid search. He also mentions that it is incredibly effective to search for a victim as if they are alive. Although he does not explain why this is important, he says if law enforcement moves quickly, chance of safe recovery is very high.

At another press conference, Guilhermino Eniarnacao, Director Policia Judiciaria, Algarve, held another press conference. In this one, he surmises how Portugal views kidnappings. In particular, their motive. According to him, they are seen not only as an effort for ransom, but can have sexual motive. While it is never explicitly said, there was never a ransom request for Madeleine. Not to say the motive of her crime was sexual (although, probable), it is important to know this has never been seen as a motive.

As with every crime that takes place in a “perfect place”, there are people who seem to be surprised about how something so awful had happened there. An old news video comes on the screen with a woman. She explains how nothing like that ever happens there. This is a statement heard in every true crime story. Denial runs deep. Nobody can ever admit to themselves that the place they felt was safe, their home, never was as safe as they thought. From a cynic perspective, this could explain why they all wanted to help. If they could find the little girl safely, they would not have to a admit to themselves that there was a monster amongst them.

Jon Clarke and Lori Campbell began expanding their search. Specifically, they began exploring the backgrounds of local pedophiles and sex offenders. Police also pursued this angle. However, Clarke and Campbell are much more open about it in the documentary. There were A LOT of pedophiles in the area. This is a disturbing fact. Yet, it is all too common. There are plenty of sexual predators living amongst us. Even if we are on vacation, we are going to unknowingly run into sex offenders. The explanation for this is almost too simple. The truth is, they like to go on vacation just like us. Whether it be for recreation, or for easy access to scantily clad individuals of all genders and ages. Either way, they are everywhere.

Both the police and the McCanns began pleading with families who stayed at the same resort for their photographs. The timeline of the McCann’s trip was rock solid. Meaning, they knew where they were, what they were doing, and when. Their goal was to find individuals with a similar schedule who took pictures. They canvased the backgrounds of the photographs. They looked for anyone suspicious, pedophiles, someone watching the McCanns, or even someone who just looked “off”. Gerry remarked that someone had to know something. Photos were submitted, but they all lead to the same place: nowhere.

Understandably, the public began to panic as the days continued with no sign of Madeleine. All the public knew was the police had one or two persons of interest, but nothing else. Anyone who was considered to be weird was reported to authorities. A combination of desperation and fear, led to the witch hunt of Robert Murat. In a desperate search for answers, we all can begin to see things that are not there. While I am not for sure that is what happened to Murat, that seems to be the case. Murat, who has been mentioned before and appears in the documentary, was quickly accused of the crime. The story of Robert Murat begins amongst reporters. Murat, who started as a translator, quickly started to seem odd to reporters on the case. Clarke even recalls him referring to Madeleine as “Maddie”. Which is odd… but has never been substantiated. The fall of Murat began at a bar where all the reports would swap information. Quickly, Murat was seen as a local who was odd and too involved in the case. Lori Campbell told Clarke he reminded her of the Soham investigation. Essentially, the Soham investigation centered on the disappearance and murder of two teenage girls, Holly and Jessica. The school caretaker, Ian Huntly, was heavily involved in the case. He assisted in searches, offered support, and injected himself into the investigation wherever he could. Eventually, he was charged and convicted in the murders. Campbell claimed Murat’s “odd” personality and involvement was odd. Now, before I continue, something needs to be discussed. There are cases where the murderer does inject themselves into the investigation. But, it is irresponsible and dangerous to apply this to every case. Yes, there are certainly people who help out with cases for malicious reasons. Such as Huntly. But, there are also murderers like Israel Keyes who never return to the scene of the crime. I would like to believe if I had a daughter the same age as Madeleine, which Murat did, that I would be as involved. Even as a person without children, I would like to believe I would become heavily involved in finding a missing child. I believe we would all like to think that way. Nonetheless, Campbell and Clarke reported Murat to the police. Their reasoning? He cared too much, he looked weird (he had a lazy eye), he had a daughter that was Madeleine’s age, he was going through divorce, and he acted weird. In other words, their reasoning was all opinion. Not to say that this method never works, but it needs to be carried out carefully. With little caution, the reporters took it into their own hands to unapologetically turn on Murat. Claiming that it was their job to “notice stuff”.

It was only a matter of time until Murat, the former police translator, was under full surveillance. His phone was tapped, his house scanned with radar to count the occupants, and he was being followed constantly. Murat lived about 200 yards away from the McCann’s apartment in the resort. Something that also lead to police’s suspicion in him. Murat, who was not oblivious, quickly realized he was being followed. One night while being tailed by a car (we later learn this was police), he drove to the police station to report it. While there, he was told that it was not the police, but probably some fellow journalists. While on the phone, the officer asked Murat to get some drinks at a local bar. Murat agreed. When he arrived, he was met by some police officers. All of whom, tried to get him to drink. Murat, who does not drink alcohol, thinks this was a ploy to get him drunk and talkative. Or even drunk and aggressive. The following morning at 7 A.M. , Robert received a phone call from the police. He is informed his translating services are needed. He quickly dresses himself and runs out the door. To his surprise, he is met with an army of law enforcement and forensic scientists ready to search his home. Up until this point, this was the largest search and land excavation done in the case. During the execution of the search warrant, Murat was whisked off to the P.J. headquarters for questioning. While there, Murat recalls being scared. Convinced of his innocence, Murat thought he could just tell them the truth and go home. From here, the case bears striking resemblance to the Amanda Knox interrogation, a popular one amongst true crime junkies like myself. He was threatened, and denied food and water. Police were not looking for the truth per say, they wanted a confession. As far as we know, that is not something Murat could give them. Due to the fact he was allegedly not involved. He was met with a revolving door of investigators who were rested and ready to talk. All of whom accused Murat of lying. It was at this point that Murat began to believe he was being set up. This however, did not stop the police from threatening to put this on him anyways. On the other hand, Murat grew tired, agitated, and hungry/ thirsty. This is a popular tactic amongst interrogators. Police maintain excellent mental stamina, while the suspect begins to lose their will and ability to lie. This tactic has proven to be excellent and effective. Adversely, it has proven to be a dangerous route to a false confession. Eventually, he was let go. In the documentary, Murat refers to this investigation of him as “hell on Earth”. Amaral, on the other hand, maintains it was carried out as a normal investigation of a person of interest.

After his release, the inspector, Eniarnacao, told the public there was finally an arguido. In Portugal, an argued is the American equivalent of a formal suspect. Meaning, this was no longer just a person of interest. They had reason to believe this man was involved, but not enough evidence to press charges. The 33 year old man described was Robert Murat. The documentary goes on to show interviews of locals. One unnamed woman refers to Murat as a normal man. His uncle told the news Murat was at home with his mother, whom he lived with, at the time of the abduction. In spite of that, Murat added fuel to the investigation. Suddenly the once stalled investigation began moving fast. Police quickly searched the house of Murat’s brother in law, and a hotel owned by his cousin. Clarke, still hellbent on his suspicion, tells the documentary crew that even though Murat was released, it does not mean he, or anyone he was close with, is innocent. To him, it only meant his hunch was justified.

As we all know, tabloid papers are not meant to search for the truth. Their reputation consists of connecting to people’s emotions, relying solely on sensationalism. Obviously, they were one of the worst offenders in the slander campaign against Murat. Releasing horrible headlines defaming the man.

The documentary quickly touches on how this case became bad news for tourism. While not implied by the documentary, viewers are left to wonder if the investigation of Murat was done solely for economic benefit. Murat fueled fear that the predator who abducted Madeleine was a local man.

On the 13th day of the search, the crime was declared as probably sexually motivated. Around this time, investigators started looking into Sergey Malinka. Malinka was hired by Murat to build a property website. A Russian immigrant, MAlinka was building a computer business in Portugal. His parents fled to Europe after the 1998 financial crisis in Russia. He spoke to journalists who got to him first, making investigators even more supiscious. One day, Malinka was thrown into the back of an unmarked police car and driven around for hours. What he did not know was during this time, Investigators were trying to stall with him until a judge had signed off on a search of his house. Once approved, a ton of computer equipment was taken from his home. By day 14, Malinka was also apart of the slander campaign against Murat. He and his parents were both questioned. His parents, who barely spoke Portuguese or English, struggled to grasp what was being asked of them. He said he did not know anything personally about Murata, something he maintains to this day. He too was questioned for a long period of time. He recalls at one point an officer slapped him on the back while telling him they were going to put what happened to “the little girl” on him. Amaral then burst into the room ordering Malinka stand on his feet. He began pestering him about an 11:30 phone call from Murat on the night of Madeleine’s disappearance. He claims he did not recall. Murat in the film, does not confirm or deny the phone call. Simply, he says he cannot recall. Suggesting maybe it was a butt dial, but he does not remember making a call at that time that night. This phone call was important to police. As they believed something strange happened between 11:30 and 11:40 P.M. when Madeleine was abducted. Eventually, Malinka was also let go. Following this, the McCAnns held another press conference. But this time, only Gerry spoke. He told the public that until they were told differently with supporting evidence, they will believe Madeleine was safe and being cared for. A heartbreaking statement, but one that needed to be believed to hold the inconsolable parents together.

In total, an unknown quantity of computers and 27 CD-ROMS were confiscated from Malinka’s home. Some of which Malinka continues to claim were not all his. Saying that some of them belonged to clients. A believable statement considering he was in the early stages of building a computer business. During the documentary interview with Malinka, a documentarian asks him a question about an unspecified rumor. Malinka responds by saying he does not wish to speak about what was found. Claiming that there is no way to prove anything he says. He reiterates that the police also took materials that belonged to clients of his. He knows that the rumor(s) about materials found revolves around porn. He goes onto say that almost everyone has a cookie or something similar from a pornography website. Something that is hard to refute. The consumption of pornography is common. However, he still does not confirm or deny what was found. All police said was something was found on a computer. They never specified what or on which computer. Leaving Malinka clueless as to whether or not it was his property or a client’s. This can be seen as suspicious due to the case still not being solved. But, the fact that Malinka will not comment on something he cannot prove (based on his statements and nothing in the documentary comments on this), is not odd. Considering his life was basically ruined by the press, it is believable that if he is innocent, he would not want to subject himself to further scrutiny so many years later. Knowing what we know, or the lack thereof, we cannot judge his actions in this interview.

The documentary closes with another old statement from Gerry during a news conference. He asks the public to please treat suspects how we were all taught to treat them, presume innocence until charged and convicted. An important thing to note once rumors begin spreading.