Portugese Police Admit Maddie May Have Been Snatched

Jan 27 2008 By Bruce Walker

Madeleine McCann

PORTUGUESE police admitted yesterday that Madeleine McCann may have been snatched.

Detectives launched a review of the case after DNA tests on blood samples found in her parents' holiday flat and hire car proved inconclusive.

The abduction theory gained strength last week with the release of a sketch of a suspect seen acting strangely near their apartment in Praia da Luz.

Yesterday police sources admitted dad Gerry and mum Kate may have been telling the truth about Madeleine's disappearance on May 3 last year.

The couple remain official suspects.

A source told a Portuguese newspaper: "There are now two hypotheses - abduction or accidental death.

"With the results from the Birmingham lab, doubt was cast and the possibility of abduction resurfaced."

McCann spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "We welcome any movement by the police that accepts Madeleine was abducted because that is what happened."