Portuguese police: Madeleine could be dead
Updated on 11 August 2007
One hundred days after Madeleine McCann disappeared from her family's holiday apartment, Portuguese police acknowledged for the first time today that she could be dead.
Madeleine may be dead, and the McCanns are not suspects, say the Portuguese police, finally speaking out about the hunt for the missing 4 year old.
A hundred days after she disappeared, one of the detectives leading the inquiry said recent developments and clues pointed to the possibility that she was no longer alive. Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa also said her parents and their friends were not being treated as suspects.
The McCanns marked the day with a special church service in Praia da Luz: they said they had still not given up hope.
Here in the UK the family have asked for prayers to be offered in Catholic churches to mark the 100 days since Madeleine's disappearance. The four-year-old's grandparents gave out posters and balloons in Liverpool city centre.
Everton football club have also offered their support to keep the case in the public eye. The stars from Madeleine's favourite team wore t-shirts bearing her image and the message "Don't you forget about me" before today's game at Goodison Park.
On Clydeside, the home of Madeleine's father, a lone piper played a specially composed lament. It was played before her aunt and contestants from 51 different countries at the World Piping Championships.
And the rugby player Jonny Wilkinson recorded a message of support that was shown on the big-screen at half time during England's match against France at Twickenham.
