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Police are searching an area in Odiaxere
Portuguese police are continuing to investigate an area where it is claimed
Madeleine McCann's body may be buried.
Sniffer dogs are helping police with their search at the location, which is
nine miles from where the four-year-old disappeared.
The move came after an anonymous note, seemingly from the same person who sent
a letter leading police to the bodies of two murdered Belgian girls last year,
was received by a newspaper and passed to the Policia Judiciaria.
It claimed the four-year-old lies buried under rocks and branches in deserted
scrubland.
A map marking the location of Madeleine with a cross was sent along with the
letter.
It was thought to pinpoint an area north of Odiaxere,
north east of Praia da Luz from where the girl was
snatched 41 days ago.
According to De Telegraaf, the letter said Madeleine
was buried "north of the road under branches and rocks, around six to
seven metres off the road" in a barren and deserted landscape.
A map from Dutch website routenet.nl came with the letter, with crosses marked
on it. The letter claimed her body could be found up a dirt track north of Odiaxere.
Around eight plain clothed police officers visited Arao
on Wednesday, a small village 15 kilometres away from Praia da
Luz.
They spent an hour and 20 minutes looking at fields and the surrounding area
ahead of possible searches starting in the morning.
Local Translator Gaynor Jesus told Sky News: "Apparently the letter came
from a medium who pinpointed the location of two murdered Belgian girls - I
think this is the reason for such credibility.
"But in Portugal
mediums' reports are filed away unless they have something specific police can
go on - they have received hundreds reports.
"They are treating this report with extreme caution."
Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa added: "We are
checking the information like we check everything in this case for
importance."
Meanwhile, Madeleine's family announced that hundreds of yellow ribbons, cuddly
toys and messages of support left at a memorial for Madeleine McCann are to be
cleared away.
The colourful tributes have been placed around a monument in the centre of the
four-year-old's home town of Rothley, Leicester, ever since she went
missing 41 days ago.
The memorial has been a focal point for those praying for the little girl's
safe return.
Madeleine's great uncle, Brian Kennedy, said: "We are aware that the huge
response to the loss of our great-niece Madeleine has changed the appearance of
Cross Green in the centre of Rothley for several weeks now.
"We would like to restore the Green to something approaching normality,
whilst acknowledging the kindness shown by so many people."
Mr Kennedy said the family hoped to initially clear seats around the green and
to move as many of the donated toys as possible to a good home for other
children.
"All the cards and messages will be stored carefully to await the family's
return and some have been sent to them already."
Pub landlady Valerie Armstrong, who arranged for well-wishers to tie yellow
ribbons to railings around Cross Green monument, said the process would begin
at the weekend.
She said: "It's definitely not a sign of us giving up hope. It's just the
practical side of it. We need to free up some of the benches. The yellow
ribbons are staying." |
