| Chronology of Events Following May 3 Based on DE/SE Articles by scylla
My original intention was to trace the evolving differences in what was reported (i.e., Maddy's pj's first called white, then pink; how far away the McCanns were dining, etc.) so I originally organized the summary according to the dates on which the DE/SE articles were published. I worked solely from the articles we have archived here.
As the summary progressed however, it became apparent that the more interesting aspect was the timing of key events and how they related to each other, so I then re-arranged the summary, listing certain events on the days they occurred (when known) rather than the days they were reported.
Because there are several instances in which the articles were clearly written earlier than the publication date, there might still be some confusion or repetition seen. Repetition is also apparent when there was more than one article, or more than one version of the same article, published on the same day.
Comments in curly brackets { } are my own observations and/or comments and did not appear in the articles.
Some abbreviations I've used:
apt = apartment
mins = minutes
PT = Portugal
PDL = Praia da Luz
MW = Mark Warner
OC = Ocean Club 
May 2007 Friday, May 4, 2007
Gerry: Liaison officers from Leicestershire police working closely with Portuguese police; thanks media for respecting their (including Sean's and Amelie's) privacy; now being treated as a kidnapping.
Mr. & Mrs. Healy arrived in PDL {reported on 5 May}
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Madeleine dressed in only "white pyjamas".
Parents dined "only yards away".
Intruders "broken through shutters".
Twins undisturbed.
Scent dog traced scent to some 50 yards away from local supermarket.
Store's CCTV not working.
Trish Cameron said Gerry told her, "She's been abducted. She's been abducted." and that they kept checking the kids every half hour.
Trish Cameron said Kate found the door “The door was lying open, the window in the bedroom and the shutters had been jemmied open. Nothing had been touched in the apartment, no valuables taken, no passports. They think someone must have come in the window and gone out the door with her. It looks as if somebody has either been watching, or they’ve targeted her.�?BR>
Police keeping an open mind about what happened, including that Maddy wandered off.
McCanns did not use a baby-minder.
Kate is "a popular family doctor in Melton Mowbray".
Police sealed off building and took fingerprints. Back patio sealed off with tape.
People searched for Maddy until 4:30 AM.
Jill Renwick says McCanns are adamant that it was an abduction and that they had been watching the hotel room (specifies they left at 8, went back at 9 and then 10).
Pat Perkins says they could see the bedroom from the hotel restaurant.
McCanns supposed to have been leaving on May 6.
FO confirms British anti-kidnap squad in communication w/ Leicester police, and a Lisbon-based liaison officer was in communication with Portuguese police chief.
McCanns had to take away M's clothes and toys from 5A; they're staying in another flat a few yards away. {reported 6 May}
Auntie Phil said McCanns spent 7 hours in police station, and that it took 3 hours to take Kate's statement. {reported 6 May}
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Portuguese police "cannot deny" that they are looking for a pedophile.
Detectives convinced she's no more than 3 miles away.
Prime suspect ID'd (w/ 30 witnesses giving info) and is being hunted.
Police refusing to release sketch in case he panics and kills her.
Dozens of people, tourists, locals and near-locals, have been helping in the searches.
Friends and relatives of McCanns say that only after John Buck intervened did the investigation become "major".
Interpol have been informed.
Airports and ports being checked regularly.
Police though convinced she's still in Algarve but won't say why.
Mr Encarnacao thinks she's still alive.
Parents said to have dined "several hundred metres away", but checked kids every 30 mins.
Kate found shutters of front window jemmied open and door left wide open.
Twins slept either side of Maddy.
They collected buckets, spades, suitcases and other items from 5A.
Auntie Phil said Gerry was furious about the police playing down the case. Says Kate is so distraught she can't sleep or eat.
Bryan Kennedy, retired head teacher described as "Madeleine's uncle".
McCanns attend Mother's Day service in PDL.
Kate breaks down in public for the first time (in church and outside church service). {reported 7 May}
McCanns release photo of Maddy in the floppy hat holding the tennis balls. {reported 7 May}
Monday, May 7, 2007
12-hr delay in alerting Spanish authorities and providing them with Maddy's photo.
Family of McCanns state that it was left to hotel staff & holidayers to perform search.
Police believe Maddy held by pedophile.
Family back to dining "yards away".
Kate: "Please continue to pray for Madeleine. She is lovely.�?
Gerry: "We continue to hope for the best possible outcome from this for us and for Madeleine.�?BR>
£100,000 reward offered by friend.
Witness at resort saw "a man leading a little girl away from the complex by the hand �?but he did not see his face".
McCanns described as "devout Catholics".
McCanns along with 8 members of family & friends were driven to church from their apt.
Sean and Amelie being minded by other family members.
2 "specially-trained counsellors" from Britain arrived to offer support.
McCanns declined child-minding/creche services on May 3.
The couple were driven to Portimao to be questioned. Kate arrived back in PDL at 11PM, but Gerry was there until the early morning. {reported 11 May}
Gerry questioned again by police; questioning goes into the early morning hours of May 11. {reported 11 May}
4 other people were also questioned. {reported 11 May}
McCanns viewed CCTV footage of 2 men and a woman with a little girl at a garage. {reported 11 May}
2 suspects were at police station yesterday and shown to McCanns for ID'ing. {reported 11 May}
Bill Henderson, British consul, seen leaving police headquarters while McCanns still inside. {reported 11 May}
While McCanns were out, intense police activity around the apartments. {reported 11 May}
Friday, May 11, 2007
Gerry: "no stone unturned".
Announcement that searches would come to an end.
Gerry says police are working hard and have a strong desire to find Maddy.
9:15 this morning, they dropped twins off again at creche.
£1 million award now offered by Stephen Winyard.
"A reward of £1.5 million has been offered by a group of business figures [Branson, Sir. P. Green}, celebrities and a national newspaper [NOTW]."
Nuno Lourenco claimed that the people on the CCTV had "attempted to kidnap" his daughter and that a British-looking man was photographing his daughter in Sagres.
A blonde, middle-aged woman was said to have been seen a man acting suspiciously outside Maddy's bedroom the night she disappeared.
"Two men and a woman, all Britons, were questioned after being picked up in Praia da Luz dressed in their beach clothes". {reported 14 May}
Sousa confirms searches ending: "It was a decision of the officer in charge of the case. So I think they have changed something.�?BR>
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Kate described as "increasingly gaunt".
They have arranged a special vigil/Mass at a church close to their apt.
A British couple were questioned by police {no names given}.
Dozens of relatives and friends had been invited to celebrate Maddy's b/day and a close friend made a "Dr. Who" cake, Maddy's favourite TV program.
Balloons to be released today.
Pub owner Valerie Armstrong organized vigil in Queniborough where McCanns lived before moving to Rothley.
Gerry: "I like to think about the effects of Madeleine's abduction from us nine days ago like a tidal wave. The devastation - which was tremendous - was greatest for Kate and I."
McCanns were away and in private most of the day.
McCanns taken from apt to a villa a few miles down the Algarve coast. {reported 13 May}
Sunday, May 13, 2007
"Nine British tourists at the holiday complex where she was taken have been shown photos of child sex offenders known to have been in Portugal in recent months."
Search centers on 1 pedophile whose photo is believed to have been picked out by witnesses.
Tourists at MW have cameras and video recorders taken by police in case they captured something of interest.
Suggestion that Maddy may have been taken away in a white van (parents "100 yards away").
Suggestion by same source that she may have been "marked" for abduction while still in Britain.
One of the men on the garage CCTV said to be wanted in Spain for attempted rape of 10-yr old girl. Licence plate on car is a fake.
Diane McCann, aunt by marriage to brother John, takes part in a run to raise awareness of Maddy's disappearance.
Scottish relatives had hundreds of T-shirts made that were distributed to the participants in 'Resolution Asset Management Women's 10k' and handed out flyers.
McCanns took the twins to a creche. Kate prayed at the church for a half-hour. {reported 14 May}
McCanns spent afternoon walking the beach in PDL; at one point Kate is seen lifting CCat to her face and seems to kiss it. {reported 14 May}
Monday, May 14, 2007
Police seal off Murat's villa and take him to station for {12 hours of} questioning.
Several items taken away for examination.
Murat helping local police with translations.
Kate says they have no immediate plans to return to Britain.
In an interview, Gerry says they have had help from "travel trauma consultants", "helping them to look forward and direct negative emotions out of their minds".
They ask people to watch for the colomba and have issued a poster showing that.
Suggestion that they could come face-to-face with Murat this week, that they might be present at his interview and might be able to put questions to him. Murat will be asked to swear a witness statement to a magistrate.
Police ask chemists if anyone matching Murat's description bought chloroform or other "knock-out type" drugs or if anyone suspicious purchased any childrens' medications or travel sickness tablets.
Police have questioned 10 people: 8 Britons & 2 "foreigners". Murat is one of the people questioned. The McCanns are included as well, though at this point they are not said to be suspects.
Police searched 5 houses & questioned 2 other people. {reported 15 May}
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Not enough evidence to arrest Murat.
In a statement Portuguese detectives said: “During the information collection last weekend one of those lines under investigation achieved strength and consistency. "Thus it was necessary to carry out different house searches."
Murat's young daughter looks strikingly like Maddy.
During search of Murat villa, a green tarp screened part of the building, and the pool was drained.
Report that police had visited Murat's uncle's bar at Burgau.
John Buck released short statement; report that he spoke to "the national chief of police in Lisbon as well as the chief investigating officer in the Algarve". Also said that British police are working closely with the PJ.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Murat claims to be a scapegoat.
McFund launched "to help pay for the rising costs of the search", according to John McCann.
Gordon Brown "has offered "practical help" in the search for Madeleine". This was disclosed by Auntie Phil who was lobbying MPs at Westminster today. She and other family members are due to meet John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister.
Murat described as a "one-eyed estate agent, former car salesman and turkey farm worker".
Claims by Portuguese press that Murat's computers, seized by police, were found to contain "images of “sexual violence�?from paedophile websites".
His 'arrangement' with Michaela Wulczuch & Luis Antonio briefly described. Claim that Luis Antonio, pool man, was also questioned. The flat they all shared has been examined by a forensic team.
Mention of 'Romigen'.
Ralph Eveleigh, Murat's uncle, says that Murat and mother Jenny were together at the villa when Maddy went missing.
Police seized material from at least 2 of the 5 houses searched, one of which was believed to be Michaela's home.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Russian computer expert questioned by police {6 hrs} after they found he had worked on one of Murat's computers, setting up Romigen's website. Police raided the flat where he lives, which is owned by his parents.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Reports from Malinka's former colleagues about his boasts re his relationship with a 14-yr old girl. Malinka denied the suggestion he's a pedophile and dismisses the claims about the type of images previously said to have been found on his computer.
Claims that Malinka phoned Murat about 30 minutes after Maddy "was snatched".
{Presumably this means 30 minutes after she was found to be missing...}
Further claims there were several calls between the two men that night, but no suggestions that they were related to Maddy's disappearance.
Witness claims to have seen Maddy look-a-like in a red van with fake number plates in a southern suburb.
McCanns described now as dining "40 yards away".
Murat described as an "oddball".
Reports that both Murat & Malinka had been put under police surveillance.
Report that Jenny Murat also questioned and note that she had been instrumental in printing & distributing the posters of Maddy.
Report that Murat asked a number of people to provide an alibi for him. {reported 19 May}
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Uncle John McCann calls people who are launching bogus websites about Maddy, "parasites".
Report that Gerry flew back yesterday evening to UK for 24 hrs re international fund arrangements; Kate and twins to stay in PDL in the temporary holiday apartment {reported 20 May}
Gerry's return home included a visit to the Leicester-based police incident room during his trip home {reported 23 May}
Report that a video of Maddy will be broadcast at the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Report that PJ now working on idea that Madeleine has been smuggled to Africa and sold to child traffickers.
Calls between Malinka & Murat ranged over a 2-hr period, and one was said to have been placed by Murat at 11:40 PM.
Report that M & M told police they barely knew each other and hadn't spoken in months. {No mention of who made that report.}
M & M also reported to have been seeing on CCTV having animated conversations days after the kidnapping.
Dawn Murat defends him and says she believes him to be innocent.
Malinka might have been in PT illegally, and may be linked to a firm in Lagos that offers boat trips to North Africa.
Report that a British witness saw a young blonde girl being dragged towards a marina by a couple on the morning after Maddy was taken.
Mari Pollard thinks she saw Maddy in Marrakech wearing "blue pyjamas with a little pink and white pattern on her top". Mrs. Pollard's husband, Ray, is British.
McCanns feel Maddy may no longer be in the country.
Report that Murat went somewhere last weekend for 36 hrs in a rental car.
Monday, May 21, 2007
The couple have vowed to stay in the Algarve for the foreseeable future to coordinate an international campaign to get her back.
Last week, Kate McCann said that she “couldn’t even consider�?leaving Portugal at present.
Madeleine’s fund, which has been set up to pay for efforts to raise the missing toddler’s profile across Europe and North Africa, has already raised over £80,000.
Madeleine’s brother and sister have been gently asked if they could provide any details which could help identify her abductor. However, twins Sean and Amelie, two, have no memories of what happened and still believe they are holiday. {reported 22 May}
Portuguese detectives arrived in Marrakech after holidaymaker Mari Pollard said she saw Madeleine at a Moroccan petrol station. {reported 22 May}
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Gerry returned to PDL this morning after trip back which included visit to Rothley and the war memorial there.
THE parents of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann vowed today to “travel wherever is necessary�?in their quest to get their daughter back.
And he said the couple were nowhere near ready to leave Portugal and return home.
Mass trawl of holiday snaps initiated by police to search for clues - looking at apparent bystanders and strangers before running the faces through a biometric facial recognition programme to compare them against a database of known paedophiles and other criminals.
Special website launched to receive uploaded photos of Maddy - plea by Gerry for holidaymakers to send in their photos who were in PDL 2 weeks BEFORE
Gerry refuses to comment when asked if he knew Murat
Gerry announces the family intend to travel to Fatima tomorrow
Gerry says: “At this stage we don’t see a role for private investigators.�?BR>
Report that Murat has contacted Max Clifford
Gerry asks for people to consider Murat innocent until proven guilty
Clifford gave Murat free advice about handling the media but said he wouldn't represent him until Murat cleared as arguido.
A police source told a Portuguese newspaper: “It is painful to say this but we have to be realistic. The chances of finding the girl alive are less likely every day.�?BR>
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Police in Portugal admitted their chances of finding Madeleine alive were fading.
The search in Portugal has now been scaled down and just 30 officers are still involved in the investigation.
Mr McCann also gave details of how money from the fund will be spent. He said: “There will be significant legal expenses as a legal team has come in to advise us.
Gerry said the family had taken advice and had decided not to hire a private detective.
He added: “The thrust of the investigation will be that being run by the Portuguese with the assistance of the British police.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
McCanns say the guilt will never leave them.
Gerry McCann compared eating in the tapas bar at the Ocean Club Resort in Praia da Luz as like “having dinner in your garden�?
Kate said they are very responsible parents who were naive.
Mr McCann said: “We have said she’s gone on a little trip just now and Amelie came out with one really cutting line that went right to the core, she said ’Madeleine’s on trip, back soon�?
Gerry described Maddy as a 'ringleader' and had enjoyed her holiday tiring her parents out with a game in which she would shout “Be a monster, be a monster�?
Kate described her as being a good talker, good at role play, into sports and activities, swimming on Saturdays and of her favourite television programme - Dr Who as well as films such as Shrek and Finding Nemo.
McCanns continue to leave the twins at the local "kids club".
Mr McCann said: “All the families were checking on the children at very regular intervals and often in very close proximity.�?He added: “It is what we had done during the week.
Gerry says at home the kids are asleep by 7:30 every night.
Gerry maintains they could see the flat from where they dined and that they were "checking so regularly".
Kate remains silent when asked about her emotions upon discovering that Maddy had been kidnapped.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Unnamed woman {but obviously Jane Tanner} says she saw a young blonde girl wearing "distinguishable" pyjamas and wrapped in a blanket.
That witness is now back in UK.
The witness, who has been advised by police not to discuss events of that night, joined the McCanns at dinner at about 9.30pm. As she walked past the family's property, she saw a man with a child wearing pink pyjamas in his arms. "She thought it was odd, but thought it was the man's own child," the police source said. "He was walking urgently, neither running or walking."
Report that Leicestershire police said she was the principal witness to what happened
Description of a white man aged between 35 and 40 seen holding what was thought to be a child on the night Madeleine disappeared.
Report that PM-in-waiting Gordon Brown had spoken personally to Gerry and pledged support from the top of the Government for the family's efforts to find her.
Entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, footballer Wayne Rooney and Harry Potter creator JK Rowling, have all offered financial rewards a multi-million pound reward for her safe return.
Portuguese police release picture of presumed abductor after meeting with McCanns and senior police officials. McCanns had threatened legal action.
The McCanns are convinced that a white man aged around 35 to 40 spotted by a friend of the couple near their apartment at 9.30 pm was holding Madeleine. He was medium build, 5ft 10in tall, wearing a dark jacket and beige trousers. Portuguese police knew of the sighting for 3 weeks.
McCanns attended a 90-minute service yesterday at PDL's Catholic church {reported 28 May}
Monday, May 28, 2007
Report that the McCanns are to travel to Rome - without the twins - on Tuesday night and had been offered the use of 2 private jets by wealthy benefactors.
Report that McCanns are to meet the Pope.
Foreign Office liaison officer Clarence Mitchell is helping to plan the trip.
They're also to meet David Beckham.
Report that the McCanns had gone on holiday with 8 couples.
Report that they dined 40 yards away and that JT {unnamed} had left the table briefly.
Report that Kate still wants to use Portugal as a base until Maddy is found.
Report that "the couple also plan to visit Madrid, Seville, Berlin and Amsterdam".
Report that the McCanns left Portugal for Rome {reported 30 May}
"In touching scenes on the balcony of their apartment the McCanns were given a tender send-off from the two toddlers desperate to see their elder sister again. " They had put green and yellow ribbons in Amelie's hair. Sean smiled and waved to TV camera crews before he was hoisted into his father’s arms and kissed farewell. {reported 30 May}
Gerry and Kate, both 38, flew in the jet from a private VIP terminal near Faro airport in the Algarve to Rome’s Ciampino airport. {reported 30 May}
In Rome the couple had dinner with the British ambassador to the Holy See, Francis Campbell, and stayed at his official residency. {reported 30 May}
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Sir Philip Green revealed offering them the use of his Gulfstream jet; he'd been in regular phone contact with Gerry.
Report that the police think Cuddle Cat's position might hold an important clue.
Clarification that British witness say a man of 5'7" but PJ descibed him as 5'10".
McCanns met Pope; Kate wore green & yellow ribbons in her hair and had a butterfly land on her yellow lapel ribbon. {reported 31 May}
McCanns left Rome and returned to PDL {reported 31 May}
Kate said: "The first 72 hours really were the worst time for both of us. It was hard to get away from the dark places." Kate admitted: “It’s fair to say I find it harder to lock away the emotions. I feel guilty not thinking about her.�?Quietly, her husband added: “But during the lows, as soon as you go there, you can go into the darkest chasms. {reported 31 May}
Thursday, May 31, 2007
PJ criticized for allegedly not searching empty holiday flats - presumably this comes from statement of Businessman Michael Askew, 60, owns a two-bedroom apartment in a large complex just 500 yards from the Ocean Club where the McCann family were staying on holiday. He said none of the owners had been asked who was living in the complex at the time four-year-old Madeleine was taken on May 3.
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