Ten lines of inquiry in McCann case
Updated on 08 September 2007
The branding of Kate McCann as a suspect is the latest in numerous lines of inquiry by police.
Detectives have explored a range of theories, including the possibility that the then three year-old was snatched by child traffickers or a paedophile ring.
Lines of police inquiry and theories so far:
- 1. She was snatched by a paedophile ring
- 2. Blackmailers had taken her - faked blackmail plots emerged from Holland and South America
- 3. She died in her holiday flat, the line emerged after the supposed discovery of traces of blood on the walls
- 4. The abductor was posing as a psychic to tell police where Madeleine was
- 5. She had been snatched and taken to other parts of Europe, North Africa or even across the Atlantic
- 6. Neighbouring Robert Murat had abducted her - he was questioned by police but released without charge
- 7. She was allegedly seen being dragged towards the marina at Lagos by a man, four people were questioned but no evidence emerged
- 8. A potential sighting at a petrol station in Morocco, many claims of sightings in Malta
- 9. Spotted having a milkshake in a café in Belgium - DNA tests proved negative
- 10. Child traffickers abducted Madeleine to order