McCANN'S IN THE PUBLIC EYE

RAGATORY LETTERS OF REQUEST & RESPONSES

OFFICIAL INQUIRY FILES and DOCUMENTS

ROGATORY LETTERS OF REQUEST & RESPONSES

letter in English - 2007.12.12
LETTER OF REQUEST

ADDRESSED TO THE COMPETENT JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE AND UNDER THE LEGAL PROVISIONS OF INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS (ACT 144/99, AUGUST 31, 1999);

Considering the facts justifying this Letter of Request and its accomplishment, the Public Prosecutor for the jurisdiction of Portimao, Portugal, requests the competent Judicial Authorities in the United Kingdom to carry out, observing all the legal formalities, the investigations mentioned below.

1-INTRODUCTION
An Inquiry-recorded under no. 201/07/0 GALGS-is in progress at the Public Attorney's Office of Portimao, carried out by the Public Prosecution Service, having Gerald Patrick McCann, Kate Marie Healy and Robert Murat as arguidos [formal suspects].

2-DESCRIPTION OF THE FACTS
This inquiry aims at determining the circumstances of the disappearance of MADELEINE BETH McCANN, born on May 12, 2003, daughter of GERALD PATRICK McCANN and KATE MARIE HEALY. The minor disappeared from the Apartment G5A, Ocean Club Resort, Praia da Luz - Lagos, Algarve.

-The disappearance of MADELEINE BETH McCANN was reported to the 24/7 service of the PJ through a phone call from the National Republic Guard [GNR] in Lagos mad around midnight on May 3, 2007.

-A team of investigators was immediately deployed to the place, in order to inspect it.

-Facing the fact, the disappearance of a minor, the investigation outlined the several possible scenarios. The disappearance took place in the period of time between 05.35 p.m. and 10.05 p.m., on May 3, 2007.

-Since the beginning, the minor's parents attributed the fact (the disappearance) to an act committed by third parties, claiming it was an ABDUCTION.

-Although this being a possible scenario, the family's procedures led in that direction, including the use of an intense media campaign.

-In fact, the next day in the morning, British television channels and newspapers were already announcing the disappearance/abduction of the minor.

-Time went on without this scenario being absolutely confirmed. A ransom request in exchange for information or for the child itself was never made.
However, and in view of the statement made by one of their friends, JANE TANNER, we could be facing such as
-After receiving the report, a judicial inspection was made to the place, resorting immediately, among other assets, to 'sniffer dogs' of the GNR.

-We must point out that these dogs were specifically trained to follow tracks and find people, besides taking part in international trainings, accomplishing the corresponding protocols.

-International dissemination was made;

-During three days these kinds of dogs were used in searches carried out in a perimeter of approximately 15 square kilometres [+/- 5.8 square miles];

-Meanwhile, investigations were going on in order to collect all kinds of information, always having in view to work out all possible scenarios. Countless investigations were carried out, in order to confirm or invalidate the several clues concerning a possible abduction.

Statements from all employees and service providers of the resort were obtained.

-At a certain time, keeping all the other lines of investigation open, it was decided to make a new inspection to the place from which the child has disappeared.

-This inspection technique is commonly used in the U.K. and consists of using two specially trained dogs.

-We must stress the fact that in the United Kingdom the resort to this kind of inspection is common and that it has a very high percentage of success.