“I’ve never seen such a bad job!” With this sentence, an ex-researcher brings a fresh explosive for the Maddie McCann case. He criticizes sharply the latest search from the German authorities and puts a completely different theory in the room. Especially explosive: it is an old suspicion.
After just three years, Madeleine McCann disappeared from an apartment in Portuguese Praia da Luz – without a track. 18 years later the fate of the British girl remains unclear. Now a new search for German researchers gets the headlines, not because of new knowledge, but because of the sharp criticism of an ex-researcher.
“Never seen such a bad job”
Goncalo Amaral, the former Portuguese lead researcher in the business, has now divided his German colleagues in an interview with the Norwegian newspaper. The current search? Completely superfluous, he says.
His accusation: With a single flight over the site you could have saved the large scales. The area has already been searched – “it’s nothing new”. The use of ground radar, detection dogs, divers and excavations is a pure show for him.
German Christian B. is central to the research – currently in custody in Braunschweig. But not because of the disappearance of Maddie, but because of brutal rape. The crime took place in 2005, also in Praia da Luz. At that time he attacked a 72-year-old American in her house and raped her heavily. In 2019 he was sentenced to seven years in prison for this law. The researchers suspect that he could also be connected to Maddies – there are no proof of this. The suspicion of innocence applies to him.
The opinion of experts about new traces
So what should the new search query? The German criminal biologist Dr. Mark Benecke explains what is important for the authorities – and why modern technology can still be useful, even after almost two decades.
According to Benecke, such DNA traces can still be analyzed today. “There are many techniques that are not always brand new, but are now affordable,” the expert continued. With the help of bottom radar you can also see whether the earth has been moved – an indication of possible graves.
An old theory and a new suspicion
For Goncalo Amaral, the newest search is nothing more than a distraction. Even then – shortly after Maddies disappeared – he had expressed the suspicion that the parents could have something with the case. He could never prove that. But he still doesn’t seem to have given up this theory.
It doesn’t mention names, but the message is clear. In his book, which later appeared in different languages, he suspected this suspicion. At that time, the McCanns were suspected for a short time, but were later completely relieved. Amaral itself was released from the police in October 2007.
After the publication of his book “Maddie – The Truth About The Lie”, in which Amaral suspected the parents, the McCanns sued him for defamation. They were right in 2015, but in the end both the top court of Portugal and 2022 also the European Court of Justice: Amarals are covered by freedom of expression. Also explosive: the costs-over 7,500 euro-paid Maddies parents of the Madeleine Fund, which was originally founded to finance the search.
Excavations completed – but many questions open
It is unclear whether the new search has actually encouraged something. The authorities are covered. According to media reports, a box was found from an old house – but their content is quiet. Amaral, however, does not see real research work, but the following proof of a pure PR campaign.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
