PICTURE!!!!! Is it Maddie???

[colomom]

http://www.cope.es/archivos/especiales/nina_rubia_4.jpg

(from: http://forums.mirror.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=17239&start=15&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=)

What do you think???

(more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/25/nmaddy325.xml )

[IrishMist]

Boy, it sure looks like her.

[Squishified]

It DOES look like her.

[colomom]

Read what they are posting on the Mirror board about it. Interesting reactions. I can tell you, my heart dropped....

[Rino]

Looks photoshopped to me

[IrishMist]

Read what they are posting on the Mirror board about it. Interesting reactions. I can tell you, my heart dropped....

Colomom, what's the Mirror board?

[Squishified]

Looks photoshopped to me
Shoot, that was my second thought.

[Pinkhammer]

No, it doesn't look much like Maddie. A child of the same age and sex, but that's about it.

McCanns have hired a private detective agency, CRG, which is generating these Morocco leads. More spin.

It may surprise some here to learn that not all Moroccans are dark. The country was occupied by French and Spanish forces over the years. Germans, too. (Remember the movie "Casablanca?) There are blue-eyed, fair-haired Moroccans.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco#European_influence

[poco]

Heck, all I can find is a blurry picture of a blonde girl - can't see anything up close. From that picture it could be her or 1,000,000 other little girls in the world. Isn't there a better picture somewhere?

[IrishMist]

Looks photoshopped to me

Shoot, that was my second thought.

Interpol is taking it seriously, and they have record of who sent it to them, so hopefully, it's legit.

~~~~~~

Wouldn't it be nice if she were "just" taken by some creepies that wanted a pretty child?

Not for sexual purposes, not to murder for thrills...

Wouldn't it be nice if Madeleine was found alive and safe?

[Pinkhammer]

It DOES look like her.

The child being carried piggy-back looks a lot like the tall woman walking alongside of her. That is probably the mother.

These ridiculous "leads" being brought forth by McCanns' private eyes are all to be taken with a large grain of salt.

[IrishMist]

Heck, all I can find is a blurry picture of a blonde girl - can't see anything up close. From that picture it could be here or 1,000,000 other little girls in the world. Isn't there a better picture somewhere?

It was taken by a tourist using their cell phone from approximately 200 meters away.

Do you use Firefox? There's plug-ins you can use that enable you to enlarge pictures without losing too much quality.

[poco]

Interpol is taking it seriously, and they have record of who sent it to them, so hopefully, it's legit.

~~~~~~

Wouldn't it be nice if she were "just" taken by some creepies that wanted a pretty child?

Not for sexual purposes, not to murder for thrills...

Wouldn't it be nice if Madeleine was found alive and safe?

Where do you see this about Interpol? Any better pictures anywhere?

The people in the picture appear dark-skinned. The little girl appears to be light-skinned and blonde - the people also appear to be poor.

Perhaps - just perhaps - the McCann's staged the abduction - Maggie was too much to handle??? Interrupted their lives and the lives of the "twins." Had her abducted and given to a poor family to raise - Well, heck, guys, I've heard of weirder things............

[IrishMist]

The child being carried piggy-back looks a lot like the tall woman walking alongside of her. That is probably the mother.

These ridiculous "leads" being brought forth by McCanns' private eyes are all to be taken with a large grain of salt.

It was turned in by a young Spanish couple that were vacationing there.

[IrishMist]

Where do you see this about Interpol? Any better pictures anywhere?

The people in the picture appear dark-skinned. The little girl appears to be light-skinned and blonde - the people also appear to be poor.

Perhaps - just perhaps - the McCann's staged the abduction - Maggie was too much to handle??? Interrupted their lives and the lives of the "twins." Had her abducted and given to a poor family to raise - Well, heck, guys, I've heard of weirder things............

From one of Colomom's links above.

Here, I'll post it again, just to make life easier for you :)

Link. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/25/nmaddy325.xml)

[Pinkhammer]

Heck, all I can find is a blurry picture of a blonde girl - can't see anything up close. From that picture it could be here or 1,000,000 other little girls in the world. Isn't there a better picture somewhere?

From The Telegraph:

"A source close to the McCanns' legal team said CRG (Control Risk Group)had been working with the family since May and were in regular contact.
Under Portuguese law, the McCanns are not allowed to carry out their own enquiries while the police investigation is ongoing. However, CRG is understood to be focusing on other countries, such as Spain and Morocco, where a number of possible sightings have been reported.

It is also expected to help the McCanns deal with sifting through the large number of tip-offs they receive."

[Pinkhammer]

It was turned in by a young Spanish couple that were vacationing there.

Oh, yes. I am sure CRG is not actively seeking such leads right now in Spain and Morocco.

[IrishMist]

Where do you see this about Interpol? Any better pictures anywhere?

The people in the picture appear dark-skinned. The little girl appears to be light-skinned and blonde - the people also appear to be poor.

Perhaps - just perhaps - the McCann's staged the abduction - Maggie was too much to handle??? Interrupted their lives and the lives of the "twins." Had her abducted and given to a poor family to raise - Well, heck, guys, I've heard of weirder things............


If that was the case, why the international media campaign and the hiring of the private investigators? And these aren't some cheapo investigators, these are the big boys...

Seems to me that if the McCanns had staged an abduction, they would have let all the attention die down. (As is sadly what happens in most missing person cases. :()

[poco]

I have Adobe - I got it enlarged - a close up of the face, but it is still hard to see. Going to see if I can't make it clearer.

[wtsn5]

Thank you Colomom for posting the picture - it does give some hope that Maddie is alive.

[IrishMist]

Oh, yes. I am sure CRG is not actively seeking such leads right now in Spain and Morocco.

Of course they are! What is your point?

[Rino]

Of course they are! What is your point?
I think the point is people believe what they want to believe. :)

[colomom]

Colomom, what's the Mirror board?

Ahhhh, the Mirror board, not for the faint of heart, for sure.

It is a forum connected to the UK publication called the Mirror (some say rag, others tabloid). They are very vocal about this case and if you post there be sure to "gird your loins". They are the masters of flame.

You can find them here: http://forums.mirror.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=31

[iNTERESTEDWOMAN]

Nope, that's not her. Every picture of Madeleine her natural part is on HER left. You occasionally see it parted near the middle, but still on the left. This picture clearly shows the natural part on the right.

[philamena]

Unfortunately I can't tell if it's Maddie in the picture or not. The picture is a little fuzzy on my puter.

[colomom]

So, during our short break....at least I could not get logged on...I obtained permission from our good friends over at the Proboards79 forum to share with you a post and a piece of Photoshop genius created by Speefts (thanks Speefts!!!)

Post: (copied with permission from: http://helpmadeleine.proboards79.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1190711518&page=13 post #181)

"Hi everyone.
The latest 'Madeleine' image, the 'sighting', has me hooked.
A close up of the image reminded me of the official Madeleine campaign image of her - so much so that I considered that the new image had been doctored from that original photo. I have done a bit of photoshopping to see what happens when the two images are superimposed. This is spooky - the two images nest perfectly, IMO, on top of each other. I did this by making the chin to top of head the same in both images, rotating the images so that the eyes are level, then placed one image on top of the other, changing the opacity so that you can see through one image to the other.

What do you think?

This has me totally freaked out - either this really IS Madeleine, or a fake doctored photo made from the Madeleine campaign photo, IMO."

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/colomom/madeleinepictures.jpg

[poco]

So, during our short break....at least I could not get logged on...I obtained permission from our good friends over at the Proboards79 forum to share with you a post and a piece of Photoshop genius created by Speefts (thanks Speefts!!!)

Post: (copied with permission from: http://helpmadeleine.proboards79.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1190711518&page=13 post #181)

"Hi everyone.
The latest 'Madeleine' image, the 'sighting', has me hooked.
A close up of the image reminded me of the official Madeleine campaign image of her - so much so that I considered that the new image had been doctored from that original photo. I have done a bit of photoshopping to see what happens when the two images are superimposed. This is spooky - the two images nest perfectly, IMO, on top of each other. I did this by making the chin to top of head the same in both images, rotating the images so that the eyes are level, then placed one image on top of the other, changing the opacity so that you can see through one image to the other.

What do you think?

This has me totally freaked out - either this really IS Madeleine, or a fake doctored photo made from the Madeleine campaign photo, IMO."

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/colomom/madeleinepictures.jpg


Now that is strange................... But what isn't strange about this case? God, I hope they find her - ALIVE!

[Rino]

To me it just lacks proper proportion. You can't see the childs bum, or hands securing her to the adult or any indication she is holding on as a child that old would be doing, in my experiences. The woman doesn't look like any significant weight is being carried, not in her shoulders, not in her stance. Plus the blond child happens to be looking directly at the camera like so many beautiful pictures of Maddie taken prior to her missing. If she was taken, they wouldn't at least try to disguise her?!?!

[iNTERESTEDWOMAN]

They would have had to flip the image, because her natural part is on the wrong side. This is not Maddie. It's a fake

[colomom]

OK, I think we are all pretty much in agreement that it is probably fake....

BUT what really bugs me is WHY?? Can we think of any reason why someone would do this??

[Smurf]

To me it just lacks proper proportion. You can't see the childs bum, or hands securing her to the adult or any indication she is holding on as a child that old would be doing, in my experiences. The woman doesn't look like any significant weight is being carried, not in her shoulders, not in her stance. Plus the blond child happens to be looking directly at the camera like so many beautiful pictures of Maddie taken prior to her missing. If she was taken, they wouldn't at least try to disguise her?!?!


I agree, with all the worldwide media attention on this case, who would be carrying an abducted child down the road in plain site; unless they wanted to be spotted and caught.

[Texana]

Maybe in hopes of snagging some of the reward? Very odd indeed.

Nice work on the photoshopped matching images, Colomom!

[colomom]

Maybe in hopes of snagging some of the reward? Very odd indeed.

Nice work on the photoshopped matching images, Colomom!

Oh, no, not me....Speefts over at the Proboards79 is the photoshop genius....I don't have time for stuff like that ;)

[Rino]

Maybe in hopes of snagging some of the reward? Very odd indeed.


As well as a ploy to create the continued interest in findind her alive. I agree with Pinkhammer: These ridiculous "leads" being brought forth by McCanns' private eyes are all to be taken with a large grain of salt.Today 03:05 PM

[englishleigh]

I think it DARN sure looks like her. The morph that Colomom posted gave me chills.

It COULD be fake, but I pray it is her and they find her alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jilly]

Nope - not her imo. I think this little girl is smaller and her face is more rounded.

[pinto]

They would have had to flip the image, because her natural part is on the wrong side. This is not Maddie. It's a fake

You're absolutely right that her hair is usually parted that way, but in many pictures, it looks like she has a cowlick on the other side (as if the hair part is attempting to cover the cowlick). The cowlick is very obvious in the Morocco photo ... and you can even see it in the superimposed photo of Maddy.

Go to the Pictures thread, and the first photo of the second post shows it, too. It's the photo where her hair has been crimped. Maybe after several months of no hairstyling, her hair has fallen into its natural cowlick part.

That said, I'm not sure it looks like her. Maybe the girl in the photo looks too young. Those cheeks are awfully chubby.

Although it's strange how she is the only one looking at the photographer -- this could be due it being photoshopped, if that's the case, or ... she noticed some familiar looking people? Europeans?

[kiltubrid]

I think the woman wearing navy blue walking next to the grandmother looks like a Westerner. The baby is probably her child.

[KR2tonenow]

Also by now we can safely assume, if Maddy is alive and well somewhere, she'd have short hair and it would be dyed back or brown.

This case is so high profiled. At this point, who knows what happened to her? She could pop up one day like Elizabeth Smart?? or not??

The parents are on a "damage control"" mission now. What are we to believe??

If the parents have hired an expensive PI firm, let's see what they come up with??

[pinto]

Also by now we can safely assume, if Maddy is alive and well somewhere, she'd have short hair and it would be dyed back or brown...

Unless the people who have her don't know who it is. Quite unlikely ... but not impossible. These wouldn't be the people who actually took her. If she was stolen for someone, and things got too hot (ie, publicity), they could kill her, or give her away/sell her to someone without a tv.

Highly unlikely, as I said. But I don't think it's necessarily a safe assumption the other way, either.

[CaliKid]

I hope it's her but don't think it is. Remember the little Belgian girl?

[sleuthin4fun]

No, it doesn't look much like Maddie. A child of the same age and sex, but that's about it.

McCanns have hired a private detective agency, CRG, which is generating these Morocco leads. More spin.

It may surprise some here to learn that not all Moroccans are dark. The country was occupied by French and Spanish forces over the years. Germans, too. (Remember the movie "Casablanca?) There are blue-eyed, fair-haired Moroccans.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco#European_influence

That is so true. I was an L&D nurse for years. I had a young couple who came in and had a baby. Hispanic couple with typical features both dark skinned, dark hair, dark eyes. The baby was born and looked just like them. Dad left to get the 6yo sibling. When he came back with her she was blonde haired and blue eyed. I was speachless. They said that they were not sure where the hair and eyes came from but said that his sister looked the same.

[solidarity]

I think a good exercise would be to get a child of similar proportions to those of Maddie, and place her in a sling on someone's back just to see how much of a bulk she creates. I personally think that the child in the picture is more like a 2 year old than a 4 year old....but then again, we've heard Maddie was small for her age. I have my doubts that it is her, but I feel every avenue should be explored.

If this photo gets enough coverage in Morocco, then surely someone could identify these people, or they themselves could come forward and present the child look-alike.

[JanetElaine]

I don't know a darn thing about cell phones but I do know that 200 meters is 656 feet. So how good are the cell phone cameras these days? Can they take pictures like that at such a distance?

[JanetElaine]

I think the woman wearing navy blue walking next to the grandmother looks like a Westerner. The baby is probably her child.

Do you think this only because of the clothes she's wearing? Because they are pretty normal for Morocco.

[ThoughtFox]

The part being on the wrong side doesn't matter either, if these are photoshopped. Even with MS-Paint, you can flip an image with one click - easy.

To me it just lacks proper proportion. You can't see the childs bum, or hands securing her to the adult or any indication she is holding on as a child that old would be doing, in my experiences. The woman doesn't look like any significant weight is being carried, not in her shoulders, not in her stance. Plus the blond child happens to be looking directly at the camera like so many beautiful pictures of Maddie taken prior to her missing. If she was taken, they wouldn't at least try to disguise her?!?!
I agree with all that - I kept looking for her hands and feet. Why carry a child that large so low on your back? It's very odd. My first thought was why they were making an older woman carry a heavy child, instead of the younger woman?

[wtsn5]

I think it is a man carrying the child. I also see an arm of the little girl in the picture, pink on the shoudrs with a offwhite on the arm. Also the little child is not the only one looking at the camera look at the boy in orange he is also looking at the camera.

I pray to God that it is her and she is safe.

[Kezlyn]

I don't think it's her. Just a child with light hair that people don't expect to see in Morocco.

You cannot see her arms and legs because she is being carried in a sling wrapped around the adult - that is also why she is low and doesn't seem to be much of a burden.

[Chanler]

I would be surprised if it is Madeleine. More likely, it is a picture of two European children being escorted to or from school/day care by family servants (not at all uncommon in Morocco.)

[hcc2007]

Oh how I could hope it is Madeleine! You guys are geniuses, having figured out so much about the picture already (natural part, morphing, etc.). Wow.

She looks like MY daughter at that age -- and so, unfortunately, like 1000s of little girls the world over, as someone has already said.

As for dark people having blonde children, light coloring is recessive so it can pop up unexpectedly when two dark people have the recessive gene. AND there's a historical connection between Morocco and Ireland, so I've heard. Via ancient sea routes.

I'm not inclined to think it's a fake, as some have said. But then again, this case is nutty enough that anything could happen. And the timing is a little suspicious.

Good sleuthing you all!

[Elphaba]

You know me, I am going to inject my photographer's eye... I am not perfect in reading pictures, but my abilities have been recognized by NASA, in the past, if that is worth anything of credibility.

The picture: on first glance, the child in the picture seems to have a broad nose... my feeling is that a shot that far away would be more about brightness, than contrast, because since the nose projects from the face it will be the part that captures the most light... so in my opinion: Maddie's nose probably wouldn't appear that broad. As well, the child in the image seems to have deeper set eyes... again, far away shot, brightness vs contrast... eyes are inward on the face, so they will capture less light. Maddie's eyes, since they aren't really set too fark back in her face, wouldn't look as deep as the child's in the image As well, the hair: how the hair lays and with the prominent gap in the part, suggests that the child has a definitive "cow lick" parting her hair... Maddie's hair is straight like the child in the picture, but Maddie's images do not seem to show any hint of a "cow lick"... plus when Maddie's hair is slightly parted, it's on the opposite of her head.


Overall, I can't say with 100% surety that this is not Maddie... I'll go with "80% not her", "20% probablity of it being her". As well, I really can't dismiss the probability that it isn't her based upon if someone kidnapped her they would have changed her appearance. There are enough dumb criminals out there to prove that sometimes people don't know how to cover their bums to go undetected.

So... that's my take on things...

[JanetElaine]

I think it is a man carrying the child. I also see an arm of the little girl in the picture, pink on the shoudrs with a offwhite on the arm. Also the little child is not the only one looking at the camera look at the boy in orange he is also looking at the camera.

I pray to God that it is her and she is safe.

That's a girl... look at the skirt.... or are my computer settings off?

[pinto]

I think it is a man carrying the child. I also see an arm of the little girl in the picture, pink on the shoudrs with a offwhite on the arm. Also the little child is not the only one looking at the camera look at the boy in orange he is also looking at the camera.

I pray to God that it is her and she is safe.

You are correct, the other child is looking at the camera. I was originally looking at the cropped picture in the Telegraph article, not the other link; that child is only half shown. (I think it's a girl in the orange ... with a flower on the tshirt, and a skirt ... and a ponytail?)

And I do see a child there ... you can see the weight pulling on the strap across the chest of the carrier, and also the waist, right above the red stripes. I think it's a man, except it appears to have boobs? LOL. I don't think women wear hats like that ... usually scarves. And everything else looks like a man, except for those boob things.

If you look up "berber people" on Wikipedia, there is an engraving of a Berber family crossing a river, and the men have the babies strapped on them in a similar fashion. Kinda weird.

berber family (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/ST-berberfamily.jpg)

[JanetElaine]

Again, if anyone knows this: are cell phone cameras able to take pictures at 656 feet distance?

[pinto]

Again, if anyone knows this: are cell phone cameras able to take pictures at 656 feet distance?

Yeah, I wondered about that, but I didn't see where it said it was a camera phone? Except on this thread. The article only says "200 meters."

Unless I missed something, which is always possible.

And to reiterate, if it's true that Interpol is taking it seriously, I think they'd have been able to tell if it's a chop or not.

[Texana]

Again, if anyone knows this: are cell phone cameras able to take pictures at 656 feet distance?

JanetElaine, my 14 year old just came running to tell me that I HAVE to post immediately and answer your question:

Yes, good photos can be taken from such a distance, especially with some of the newer phones including the Razr., iPhone, even her (cheap, her sister is adding) two year old cell phone, using the zoom feature.

:)

(post dictated by both little Texanas.)

[Chanler]

You are correct, the other child is looking at the camera. I was originally looking at the cropped picture in the Telegraph article, not the other link; that child is only half shown. (I think it's a girl in the orange ... with a flower on the tshirt, and a skirt ... and a ponytail?)

And I do see a child there ... you can see the weight pulling on the strap across the chest of the carrier, and also the waist, right above the red stripes. I think it's a man, except it appears to have boobs? LOL. I don't think women wear hats like that ... usually scarves. And everything else looks like a man, except for those boob things.

If you look up "berber people" on Wikipedia, there is an engraving of a Berber family crossing a river, and the men have the babies strapped on them in a similar fashion. Kinda weird.

berber family (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/ST-berberfamily.jpg)

I think that it is a woman carrying the child. My girlfriend and I saw numerous large size, sturdy-looking women in Morocco; it's not surprising: they perform lots of manual labor. From what I remember, you see few racially mixed couples, especially in Marrakesh and the rest of the south.

[philamena]

Looks like a joke to me. The man-woman-whoever is supposed to be carrying the child isn't carrying anyone imo. Looks like someone superimposed a blond haired child on the original picture. Doesn't look like anyone in that family would have a blond haired child does it? Or maybe it's just me.

[pinto]

Doesn't look like anyone in that family would have a blond haired child does it?

I think that's the point. :)

[haypaula]

Although the photo is blurred, the little girl's features (nose) and hair color resemble Maddie's.

I was struck by how out of place the little blond girl looks amid the dark-haired boy and the raven-haired woman carrying her.

IMO

[philamena]

I think that's the point. :)

pinto,
We agree on something. lol ;)

[docwho3]

If the picture was faked it was done with some skill. I have been looking at it and so far I have found some very small indications that it may have been faked but the indications are slight, not the overdone easily spotted fakes I usually see. At this point I cannot make a determination that is certain. All I can say is there is a small amount of indication the image is faked but only a small amount. Watch for some black halo highlighting around some body parts where background should be showing through but isn't. However, I am not seeing the other distortion that I sometimes see around areas where things have been pasted into a picture.

Anyone else have comments on what they see or do not see?

[pinto]

pinto,
We agree on something. lol ;)

We actually probably agree on a lot of things. :) I know I'm being a gadfly, but it's on purpose.

[pan05]

I don`t believe it has been photoshopped, but I don`t think it Maddie either.
Very similar looking, I reckon this girl isn`t as old as Maddie, and the face is too round. IMO

[Yaelle]

The woman walking to the side is not dressed in full Arab garb. Her dress is not long enough to fit their modesty. Rather it looks like a Western current style of tunic top with jeans under it. I know she has a scarf over her head, but it does make me wonder if she is originally from Europe and possibly has blonde hair or blonde genes. I would not assume this child is Maddie. Morocco is not that far from Europe and I am sure there must be a few lighter-haired children there.

The photo does not look photoshopped to me, but I am no expert.

[rmf]

Also by now we can safely assume, if Maddy is alive and well somewhere, she'd have short hair and it would be dyed back or brown.



I doubt that the photo, if it's real, is her. If she were abducted by a pedophile, I agree that her hair would have been cut and colored differently to change her appearance. In that photo, her bangs appear to be around the same length that they were when she went missing. Which would mean someone has been cutting them. I doubt that an abductor would do that and if they did, they would have changed the color and style altogether.

[Dr. Creepin]

What do you think?

This has me totally freaked out - either this really IS Madeleine, or a fake doctored photo made from the Madeleine campaign photo, IMO."

The photo of Madeleine is the red dress, (bottom right) is the same one used by the BBC to break this fairy story. CRG are certainly earning their money with this nifty piece of work. Of course, the Berber woman could simply be child-minding. Not everyone leaves their children unattended in a foreign country. This "Muslim" family could easily be tracked down and eliminated.... from the inquiry!

[poco]

What do you think?

This has me totally freaked out - either this really IS Madeleine, or a fake doctored photo made from the Madeleine campaign photo, IMO."

The photo of Madeleine is the red dress, (bottom right) is the same one used by the BBC to break this fairy story. CRG are certainly earning their money with this nifty piece of work. Of course, the Berber woman could simply be child-minding. Not everyone leaves their children unattended in a foreign country. This "Muslim" family could easily be tracked down and eliminated.... from the inquiry!


Okay, a woman apparently took this picture with her cell phone - "they" (Interpol or whoever) know the woman's identity - why would she submit a photoshopped picture, it's obvious she would be caught. This sounds like a hoax from the gitgo, but why isn't someone stepping forward and admitting that it is?

[Barnaby]

I too think it is a hoax but as you say Poco, who could submit it without being caught?

[poco]

I too think it is a hoax but as you say Poco, who could submit it without being caught?

The picture was taken on 31 August by Spanish holidaymaker Clara Torres in Zinat near Tangiers after she spotted the blonde girl among the group and thought it was odd.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=484025&in_page_id=1770

[poco]

The picture was taken on 31 August by Spanish holidaymaker Clara Torres in Zinat near Tangiers after she spotted the blonde girl among the group and thought it was odd.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=484025&in_page_id=1770

Apparently picture was taken from inside a car, has the picture as taken from the car plus a picture of Clara Torres......

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23413854-details/Witness:%20Seeing%20'Madeleine'%20in%20Morocco%20s ent%20shivers%20down%20my%20spine/article.do

I guess you will have to copy and paste it.

[robinparten]

I really can't believe the photo was altered, the woman who took the pic seems to be on the up and up. And, I put a lot of credibility in her comments about seeing the little girl, and immediately thinking about Maddie. First impressions often mean a lot.

[poco]

I really can't believe the photo was altered, the woman who took the pic seems to be on the up and up. And, I put a lot of credibility in her comments about seeing the little girl, and immediately thinking about Maddie. First impressions often mean a lot.

LOL, I have no friggin' idea any more - will just have to wait and see I guess. If one poster says, they think it was altered, them I'm like, "Yeah, I bet it was altered." If I read something else or read a post from another poster, then I'm like, "I bet it is a real picture." Go figure!

[docwho3]

I am not saying the pic is for sure a fake just that it might possibly be. There are ways to fake a pic without photoshop type technology. At this point I think it is only about a 35% chance its been faked - maybe less. I am not good with odds unless I am more certain. All I see so far is a possibility. However allegedly the original is being vetted by the experts so perhaps we will know before long.

[calus_3]

Yes, it is her.

She was stolen by Joseph with the technicolor dream pants! Sheesh.

I bet you could walk into any city in America and take the same picture in any mall of a 4 year old girl with blonde hair and post it.

Cal

[poco]

Yes, it is her.

She was stolen by Joseph with the technicolor dream pants! Sheesh.

I bet you could walk into any city in America and take the same picture in any mall of a 4 year old girl with blonde hair and post it.

Cal


True, and that's probably why they have been getting thousands of pictures sent into them from CONCERNED people. I think it is great that everyone is so aware of this and taking the time to take pictures and send them in. Ya never know, one of them may be her.

[SleuthMom]

Nope, it's not her.

[AfterMidnight]

You know me, I am going to inject my photographer's eye... I am not perfect in reading pictures, but my abilities have been recognized by NASA, in the past, if that is worth anything of credibility.

The picture: on first glance, the child in the picture seems to have a broad nose... my feeling is that a shot that far away would be more about brightness, than contrast, because since the nose projects from the face it will be the part that captures the most light... so in my opinion: Maddie's nose probably wouldn't appear that broad. As well, the child in the image seems to have deeper set eyes... again, far away shot, brightness vs contrast... eyes are inward on the face, so they will capture less light. Maddie's eyes, since they aren't really set too fark back in her face, wouldn't look as deep as the child's in the image As well, the hair: how the hair lays and with the prominent gap in the part, suggests that the child has a definitive "cow lick" parting her hair... Maddie's hair is straight like the child in the picture, but Maddie's images do not seem to show any hint of a "cow lick"... plus when Maddie's hair is slightly parted, it's on the opposite of her head.


Overall, I can't say with 100% surety that this is not Maddie... I'll go with "80% not her", "20% probablity of it being her". As well, I really can't dismiss the probability that it isn't her based upon if someone kidnapped her they would have changed her appearance. There are enough dumb criminals out there to prove that sometimes people don't know how to cover their bums to go undetected.

So... that's my take on things...


I agree with your assessment of the child's face. The girl in the picture has more "depth" to her face than Madeleine has. I also concur with your take on the "criminals out there", in relation to changing Maddie's looks. It gets harder and harder to figure out their MO, because some are so unbelievably stupid and still we try to give them credit for a minimum of intelligence, at least. In other words, I believe we often "over" estimate the intelligence of the criminals and that could be a mistake.

[Trino]

While it would be great if this is Madeline, I think the face is too rounded. Surely, the people in the picture will be identified within a few days.

[JanetElaine]

JanetElaine, my 14 year old just came running to tell me that I HAVE to post immediately and answer your question:

Yes, good photos can be taken from such a distance, especially with some of the newer phones including the Razr., iPhone, even her (cheap, her sister is adding) two year old cell phone, using the zoom feature.

:)

(post dictated by both little Texanas.)

Playing catch-up :)

Texana, that is soooo funny! I can just picture the scene in my head. Thank you very much, little Texanas! I really appreciate it. :)

[ThoughtFox]

Yes, it is her.

She was stolen by Joseph with the technicolor dream pants! Sheesh.

I bet you could walk into any city in America and take the same picture in any mall of a 4 year old girl with blonde hair and post it.

Cal
Yes, we may as well laugh a little, since no one can know for sure. ;)

I'm starting to think it isn't a hoax as much as a red herring.

What I keep coming back to is how Maddie would end up strapped to an old woman's back on the side of the road? If someone abducted the child, and they knew the whole world was on the alert, wouldn't she be in a house somewhere? How did she get involved with that group?

[JanetElaine]

The woman walking to the side is not dressed in full Arab garb. Her dress is not long enough to fit their modesty. Rather it looks like a Western current style of tunic top with jeans under it. I know she has a scarf over her head, but it does make me wonder if she is originally from Europe and possibly has blonde hair or blonde genes. I would not assume this child is Maddie. Morocco is not that far from Europe and I am sure there must be a few lighter-haired children there.

The photo does not look photoshopped to me, but I am no expert.

Women in Morrocco do not all dress in 'Arab garb'. Morocco and Turkey are the places for jeans - both to buy and for women to wear. Also women in these countries do not usually wear head scarfs. You might see the full garb and scarves in remote parts and the occasional woman elsewhere, but it is definitely not the norm. It's Morocco, not Afghanistan. :)

[poco]

Yes, we may as well laugh a little, since no one can know for sure. ;)

I'm starting to think it isn't a hoax as much as a red herring.

What I keep coming back to is how Maddie would end up strapped to an old woman's back on the side of the road? If someone abducted the child, and they knew the whole world was on the alert, wouldn't she be in a house somewhere? How did she get involved with that group?

Probably not the whole world, lol. I'm sure I could say the name Madeleine McCann to quite a few people I know and they would all go "who?"

[calus_3]

Yes, we may as well laugh a little, since no one can know for sure. ;)

I'm starting to think it isn't a hoax as much as a red herring.

What I keep coming back to is how Maddie would end up strapped to an old woman's back on the side of the road? If someone abducted the child, and they knew the whole world was on the alert, wouldn't she be in a house somewhere? How did she get involved with that group?

I thought it was a guy! :D

Welcome to Ramsey part II. These red herrings just muddy the water and help the parents and their friends get away with murder.

Cal

[colomom]

Morning all,

I was thinking this morning, after seeing this mentioned on our local news (sheeesh), some PR people are definitely earning thier paychecks.

Think of this....in the next few days the PJ will get the forensics back and the judge will allow new questioning. The Tapas 7 and the McCanns will be called back to Portugal.

I think most people (sheep) will be immediately suspicious of the PJ. They will automatically say to themselves..."wait a minute...what's going on...why are the parents being questioned again when there has been a sighting?!?!" This will have been a very effective way of turning peoples heads.

And that's how it appears to me....carry on.

:)

[Pocono Sleuther]

Heck, all I can find is a blurry picture of a blonde girl - can't see anything up close. From that picture it could be her or 1,000,000 other little girls in the world. Isn't there a better picture somewhere?


Honestly, it looks more like my niece or my daughter's best friend who lives two doors up. I agree with Poco, it could be anyone. This is spin from the Mc's PR machine. I was intrigued initially. I did jump out of the bed at 5:45am. But the more I thought about it. The more I questioned it. Isn't it the perfect time to release an alleged photo of Maddie alive in another country? Sure takes focus off the Mc's for a bit. I would love to believe it's her, but my gut tells me it's spin.

[ThoughtFox]

Morning all,

I was thinking this morning, after seeing this mentioned on our local news (sheeesh), some PR people are definitely earning thier paychecks.

Think of this....in the next few days the PJ will get the forensics back and the judge will allow new questioning. The Tapas 7 and the McCanns will be called back to Portugal.

I think most people (sheep) will be immediately suspicious of the PJ. They will automatically say to themselves..."wait a minute...what's going on...why are the parents being questioned again when there has been a sighting?!?!" This will have been a very effective way of turning peoples heads.

And that's how it appears to me....carry on.

:)
Precisely! :cool: That's what a good red herring can do for someone's defense. They've been saying all along the police aren't doing their job, and now they can also blame Interpol.

Funny how the McCann's took a tour of Europe, but they never thought to go to North Africa or Morocco. I guess they were as clueless as the police, no?

[IrishMist]

Precisely! :cool: That's what a good red herring can do for someone's defense. They've been saying all along the police aren't doing their job, and now they can also blame Interpol.

Funny how the McCann's took a tour of Europe, but they never thought to go to North Africa or Morocco. I guess they were as clueless as the police, no?

Maybe not so clueless:

Smiles as children greet McCanns in Morocco (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/12/wmccann112.xml)

[Jayelles]

Yes, it is her.

She was stolen by Joseph with the technicolor dream pants! Sheesh.

I bet you could walk into any city in America and take the same picture in any mall of a 4 year old girl with blonde hair and post it.

Cal

Yes, I'm sure you could ... in an American mall. Except this wasn't an American mall. I wonder how easy it would be for you to snap a little blonde girl in North Africa where the natives are black? Sure some are lighter skinned and some have lighter brown hair but I think you'd be hard pushed to find a blue-eyed blonde native.

It's easy to get to Morocco from Portugal and Spain and some resorts have a problem with Africans selling trinkets and water melon very pushily to the tourists. Pickpocketing can be a problem too. I've been approached and hassled by Africans on vacation. We now avoid resorts where this is a problem because it can be very unnerving. You feel sorry for them because they are only trying to eke a living, but sometimes they just won't go away when you tell them you're not interested.

[IrishMist]

Yes, it is her.

She was stolen by Joseph with the technicolor dream pants! Sheesh.

I bet you could walk into any city in America and take the same picture in any mall of a 4 year old girl with blonde hair and post it.

Cal

And then turn it in to Interpol in your own name? :eek:

[AfterMidnight]

Maybe not so clueless:

Smiles as children greet McCanns in Morocco (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/12/wmccann112.xml)

They went there back in June?

I noticed Kate was smiling. I think the childrens' reception made her happy if only for a short while.

[Jayelles]

Regarding cell phone cameras.

Yes you can now take fantastic quality photos with these. A friend of mine recently bemoaned the fact that she'd gone to one of these massive open air concerts (it was Eagles or something like that) and she bought a new all singing, all dancing digital camera but that the photos were rubbish. She was disgruntled because her friend had taken photos with her cell phone which turned out great.

Me - I still have my old Nokia which is just about a museum piece but it does everything I need it to do.

[Jayelles]

They went there back in June?

I noticed Kate was smiling. I think the childrens' reception made her happy if only for a short while.

Yes. It's amazing how well we are programmed to hide our tears and put on a brave face for little ones.

[calus_3]

Yes, I'm sure you could ... in an American mall. Except this wasn't an American mall. I wonder how easy it would be for you to snap a little blonde girl in North Africa where the natives are black? Sure some are lighter skinned and some have lighter brown hair but I think you'd be hard pushed to find a blue-eyed blonde native.

It's easy to get to Morocco from Portugal and Spain and some resorts have a problem with Africans selling trinkets and water melon very pushily to the tourists. Pickpocketing can be a problem too. I've been approached and hassled by Africans on vacation. We now avoid resorts where this is a problem because it can be very unnerving. You feel sorry for them because they are only trying to eke a living, but sometimes they just won't go away when you tell them you're not interested.

Don't look now but I see five in one picture. This girl is this family's.

I doubt that if it was Maddie, they would be carrying her around like that.

Cal

[Jayelles]

And then turn it in to Interpol in your own name? :eek:

The latest news bulletin says that experts are examining it to see if it could be a hoax and that they are using some sophisticated software which matches various points on our faces which don't change as we grow older.

[pinto]

Precisely! :cool: That's what a good red herring can do for someone's defense. They've been saying all along the police aren't doing their job, and now they can also blame Interpol.

Funny how the McCann's took a tour of Europe, but they never thought to go to North Africa or Morocco. I guess they were as clueless as the police, no?

I read that they did visit Morocco, in June.

[IrishMist]

The latest news bulletin says that experts are examining it to see if it could be a hoax and that they are using some sophisticated software which matches various points on our faces which don't change as we grow older.

And wouldn't anyone who turned in the photo expect them to do that?

My point is, this may or may not be a picture of Madeleine, but I have to doubt that it's photoshopped or faked in any way.

[Shamrock]

Don't look now but I see five in one picture. This girl is this family's.

I doubt that if it was Maddie, they would be carrying her around like that.

Cal

That's what I was thinking too. Along with the fact that that picture could be a million little girls with blonde hair.

[JanetElaine]

This is what stuck out to me:

Clarence Mitchell, a spokesman for the McCanns, said last night: “The picture poses serious questions. The child does appear to look like Madeleine. Kate and Gerry are keen to establish what exactly we are seeing here.” http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,298072,00.html

I don't even know what to think about who did what anymore, BUT what puzzles me is they have from day one dismissed all possible sightings and said they didn't want to know about it (or whatever it was) because it would be a let down anyway.

How come this change of heart? I've so far only seen them do things that suited them. So I have to wonder that they're interested because it suits them. Why does it suit them? Because it takes the heat off of them being suspects. And like I said - I have no idea who did what.... if Madeleine's dead or missing.... but this is very puzzling to me.

[Jayelles]

Don't look now but I see five in one picture. This girl is this family's.

I doubt that if it was Maddie, they would be carrying her around like that.

Cal

I'm sorry, but I don't see five blue-eyed blondes. I see four dark-skinned arab women and one light-skinned, blonde haired little girl.

Common sense tells me that the reason this photo was taken is because the child stood out as different.

Two of the women are carrying travel bags/cases.

[Jayelles]

That's what I was thinking too. Along with the fact that that picture could be a million little girls with blonde hair.

Yes but the whole point is that there aren't a million little blonde haired girls in Morocco. The natives are black.

[Jdee]

Food for thought....Instead of focusing on the picture. Put your mind and ideas on the person or persons taking the picture. IF they thought that was Madeleine so much that they snapped a grainey picture... why didn't they follow the group and get a better picture? Or shout Madeleine's name to see if she reacted? Or at the very least followed them to see where they went and what they were up to? Why if you thought you saw Madeleine so much so that you took a crappy picture would you stop there?
Was the person taking the picture walking or in a car? Why only one picture?

[IrishMist]

This is what stuck out to me:

Clarence Mitchell, a spokesman for the McCanns, said last night: “The picture poses serious questions. The child does appear to look like Madeleine. Kate and Gerry are keen to establish what exactly we are seeing here.” http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,298072,00.html

I don't even know what to think about who did what anymore, BUT what puzzles me is they have from day one dismissed all possible sightings and said they didn't want to know about it (or whatever it was) because it would be a let down anyway.

How come this change of heart? I've so far only seen them do things that suited them. So I have to wonder that they're interested because it suits them. Why does it suit them? Because it takes the heat off of them being suspects. And like I said - I have no idea who did what.... if Madeleine's dead or missing.... but this is very puzzling to me.

With so many independent reports, I think it would lend credence and hope that these are actual sightings.

[Pocono Sleuther]

Where the hell are the Mc's with their reactions to this????? Pressy anyone? This is insane imo. IF they allegedly believe it could be her then why aren't they speaking? What is their opinion? We've seen time and time again parents of a missing child begging for tips. Speaking out about possibilites (looks at Sharon R and Laci's case). She commented on the possibilities before she questioned Scott's innocence.

Where are the Mc's or their spokesperson(s) and why aren't they commenting?

This tells us more than the picture imo.

[IrishMist]

Food for thought....Instead of focusing on the picture. Put your mind and ideas on the person or persons taking the picture. IF they thought that was Madeleine so much that they snapped a grainey picture... why didn't they follow the group and get a better picture? Or shout Madeleine's name to see if she reacted? Or at the very least followed them to see where they went and what they were up to? Why if you thought you saw Madeleine so much so that you took a crappy picture would you stop there?
Was the person taking the picture walking or in a car? Why only one picture?

Quote from the woman that took the picture:

"We saw a blonde girl who caught our eye. We both looked at each other. We thought of Madeleine but we didn't think any more about it, as we thought it would be impossible," Torres told Spanish news agency EFE about the possible sighting.

Remarkably, the photograph stayed undeveloped in Torres' camera for almost a month, says CBS News reporter Meg Oliver.

"I've been kicking myself because these 25 days have been lost … The moment I realized, I handed over the photo to the authorities," said Torres.

Link to rest of the article. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/26/world/main3298799.shtml)

[Pocono Sleuther]

:banghead: They thought about Madeline and then left the photo in the camera for 25 days?!!!!!!!!!!!:waitasec:

[JanetElaine]

Yes but the whole point is that there aren't a million little blonde haired girls in Morocco. The natives are black.

People in Morocco aren't black. They're olive skinned. Unless that's what you mean with black?

[Shamrock]

Food for thought....Instead of focusing on the picture. Put your mind and ideas on the person or persons taking the picture. IF they thought that was Madeleine so much that they snapped a grainey picture... why didn't they follow the group and get a better picture? Or shout Madeleine's name to see if she reacted? Or at the very least followed them to see where they went and what they were up to? Why if you thought you saw Madeleine so much so that you took a crappy picture would you stop there?
Was the person taking the picture walking or in a car? Why only one picture?

This never crossed my mind. Very good point!!! Why didn't they follow them?? Do something more than take one picture? Not that I'm judging. Maybe they were scared? Maybe they snapped the picture and didn't notice the blonde girl until afterwards??

[Shamrock]

Quote from the woman that took the picture:

"We saw a blonde girl who caught our eye. We both looked at each other. We thought of Madeleine but we didn't think any more about it, as we thought it would be impossible," Torres told Spanish news agency EFE about the possible sighting.

Remarkably, the photograph stayed undeveloped in Torres' camera for almost a month, says CBS News reporter Meg Oliver.

"I've been kicking myself because these 25 days have been lost … The moment I realized, I handed over the photo to the authorities," said Torres.

Link to rest of the article. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/26/world/main3298799.shtml)

Well that answers my questions! Thanks!

[IrishMist]

Where the hell are the Mc's with their reactions to this????? Pressy anyone? This is insane imo. IF they allegedly believe it could be her then why aren't they speaking? What is their opinion? We've seen time and time again parents of a missing child begging for tips. Speaking out about possibilites (looks at Sharon R and Laci's case). She commented on the possibilities before she questioned Scott's innocence.

Where are the Mc's or their spokesperson(s) and why aren't they commenting?

This tells us more than the picture imo.

Quote from the same article I linked in my last post:

The McCanns, who traveled to Morocco this summer as they publicized their daughter's disappearance, are said to be impressed by the latest photo, but they remain guarded.

Speaking to Britain's Sky News on Wednesday, McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said "there are certainly questions to be answered" about the new photo.

Mitchell said the McCanns were waiting to hear what the police, who are using facial recognition technology to examine the photo, say about the likelihood of it being their daughter.

But he added that one positive aspect of the new focus for the case is that it "refocuses the campaign on finding her."

Bold emphasis mine.
Link to article. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/26/world/main3298799.shtml)

I think it's wise for them to not get their hopes up without more information.

[JanetElaine]

With so many independent reports, I think it would lend credence and hope that these are actual sightings.

But that has been the fact too with others (many independent reports). Plus this is only one report, true, with a pic, but it could be anyone. What about the many different reports who claim to have seen her elsewhere but that was dismissed because .... why? I just don't understand why all of a sudden they are interested in a sighting like there have been so many others.

I guess what I really don't understand is why they dismissed all the others. If they really have nothing to do with her disapperance other than negligence, this is how they should have reacted all the time.

[Jdee]

Quote from the woman that took the picture:

"We saw a blonde girl who caught our eye. We both looked at each other. We thought of Madeleine but we didn't think any more about it, as we thought it would be impossible," Torres told Spanish news agency EFE about the possible sighting.

Remarkably, the photograph stayed undeveloped in Torres' camera for almost a month, says CBS News reporter Meg Oliver.

"I've been kicking myself because these 25 days have been lost … The moment I realized, I handed over the photo to the authorities," said Torres.

Link to rest of the article. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/26/world/main3298799.shtml)

All I can say is these people are idiots. This case is in the news everyday.. and they possibly had a picture of her for over a month? The article mentions a 'camera' and 'film' so that leaves out a cell phone pic.

[IrishMist]

But that has been the fact too with others (many independent reports). Plus this is only one report, true, with a pic, but it could be anyone. What about the many different reports who claim to have seen her elsewhere but that was dismissed because .... why? I just don't understand why all of a sudden they are interested in a sighting like there have been so many others.

Where else have there been this many independent sightings in one area?

[JanetElaine]

Where else have there been this many independent sightings in one area?

I forget where they were. Wasn't it on some island? Also please read the part where I edited my post. Thanks.

[colomom]

Where else have there been this many independent sightings in one area?

Malta.

[Rino]

Where else have there been this many independent sightings in one area?
2 in Marrakech

[IrishMist]

I forget where they were. Wasn't it on some island? Also please read the part where I edited my post. Thanks.


I just noticed your Ohio State logo in your siggy. As a lifelong Wolverine, I want you to know just how difficult it will be for me to be civil to you in the future. :D :D

~~~~~~~~
Seriously now-

I don't think there have been this many independent reports of sightings anywhere else, which would explain why the higher hopes for Morocco. Also, we don't really know if other sightings have been ignored. The McCann's investigators may very well have checked out anything credible enough to look at.

[colomom]

What Paulo Reis is reporting:

http://gazetadigitalmadeleinecase.blogspot.com/2007/09/fourth-witness-says-she-saw-madeleine.html

"A source from the head office of Moroccan Police told us that the “Sureté Nacional” (Moroccan Intelligence Services) has already identified the man that was helping the family carrying their bags and they found that it's a family of Moroccan immigrants that lives in Europe. Moroccan intelligence services keep on investigating the last sightings, according to the same source."

[ThoughtFox]

Quote from the woman that took the picture:

"We saw a blonde girl who caught our eye. We both looked at each other. We thought of Madeleine but we didn't think any more about it, as we thought it would be impossible," Torres told Spanish news agency EFE about the possible sighting.

Remarkably, the photograph stayed undeveloped in Torres' camera for almost a month, says CBS News reporter Meg Oliver.

"I've been kicking myself because these 25 days have been lost … The moment I realized, I handed over the photo to the authorities," said Torres.

Link to rest of the article. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/26/world/main3298799.shtml)

Good Grief! :banghead:

"We thought of Madeleine but we didn't think any more about it" :eek:

25 Days? :chicken: Why didn't they call the police that day? Someone could have stopped them on the road right away. :mad:

[Texana]

This is what stuck out to me:

Clarence Mitchell, a spokesman for the McCanns, said last night: “The picture poses serious questions. The child does appear to look like Madeleine. Kate and Gerry are keen to establish what exactly we are seeing here.” http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,298072,00.html

I don't even know what to think about who did what anymore, BUT what puzzles me is they have from day one dismissed all possible sightings and said they didn't want to know about it (or whatever it was) because it would be a let down anyway.

How come this change of heart? I've so far only seen them do things that suited them. So I have to wonder that they're interested because it suits them. Why does it suit them? Because it takes the heat off of them being suspects. And like I said - I have no idea who did what.... if Madeleine's dead or missing.... but this is very puzzling to me.

Couldn't agree more. They were adamant about not getting on the "roller coaster" of sightings.

I think the difference is Clarence Mitchell is running the show now. It will take some time to prove or disprove this sighting, but the impression that "Madeleine McCann was seen in Morocco" will remain in the public's mind.

[ThoughtFox]

What they need now is to connect a name to the child on the road, and debunk this as soon as possible.

[poco]

Food for thought....Instead of focusing on the picture. Put your mind and ideas on the person or persons taking the picture. IF they thought that was Madeleine so much that they snapped a grainey picture... why didn't they follow the group and get a better picture? Or shout Madeleine's name to see if she reacted? Or at the very least followed them to see where they went and what they were up to? Why if you thought you saw Madeleine so much so that you took a crappy picture would you stop there?
Was the person taking the picture walking or in a car? Why only one picture?

The person was in the car - copy and paste this link and look at third photo down - read article too, will answer some of your questions.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23413854-details/Witness:%20Seeing%20'Madeleine'%20in%20Morocco%20s ent%20shivers%20down%20my%20spine/article.do

[JanetElaine]

I just noticed your Ohio State logo in your siggy. As a lifelong Wolverine, I want you to know just how difficult it will be for me to be civil to you in the future. :D :D

~~~~~~~~
Seriously now-

I don't think there have been this many independent reports of sightings anywhere else, which would explain why the higher hopes for Morocco. Also, we don't really know if other sightings have been ignored. The McCann's investigators may very well have checked out anything credible enough to look at.

Hey then at least I know why! :D :D

Uhm, I mean, likewise! ;)

Thanks for your opinion. :)

[IrishMist]

What Paulo Reis is reporting:

http://gazetadigitalmadeleinecase.blogspot.com/2007/09/fourth-witness-says-she-saw-madeleine.html

"A source from the head office of Moroccan Police told us that the “Sureté Nacional” (Moroccan Intelligence Services) has already identified the man that was helping the family carrying their bags and they found that it's a family of Moroccan immigrants that lives in Europe. Moroccan intelligence services keep on investigating the last sightings, according to the same source."

Good find, Colomom, thanks for posting it. Hopefully, this will lead to something definitive.

[Rino]

What they need now is to connect a name to the child on the road, and debunk this as soon as possible.

I think it is Maddie, just photo shopped. IMO, it is a hoax 100%.

(That said, it would be nice to be wrong...)

[hcc2007]

I don`t believe it has been photoshopped, but I don`t think it Maddie either.
Very similar looking, I reckon this girl isn`t as old as Maddie, and the face is too round. IMO

Good point! One thing that's been bothering me is how the McCann's keep releasing OLD pictures of Madeleine! In the most recent release -- featured on CNN.com this morning -- she is, like, 2 years old!

Why in heaven's name would they do that if they really wanted the public to help them find her? They're showing the wrong picture, and of course it will generate false sightings.

What they SHOULD be doing is 'virtual aging' which is a well-established technology for picturing missing children here in the U.S. THAT is something they could spend their huge fund of money on. But ... are they? No!

Why not? In almost 6 months' time, between the ages of 3.5 years and 4.5 years, the features, shape, and fatness of a young child will change a lot.

Why oh why aren't they providing pictures that actually look like their child? Arrrrrgggg! Just another of the many mysteries surrounding this very strange couple.

[englishleigh]

NOT MADDIE!!

Fox News is reporting that Sky News has reported it is NOT Maddie. It was NOT Photo-shopped, the child does exist, but it is not Madeleine. Interpol tracked down the family to confirm it is not her.

[IrishMist]

NOT MADDIE!!

Fox News is reporting that Sky News has reported it is NOT Maddie. It was NOT Photo-shopped, the child does exist, but it is not Madeleine. Interpol tracked down the family to confirm it is not her.


Too bad, but it's better to know for sure, IMO. I'm glad the McCann's stayed "guarded" about the whole thing.

Sure would have been nice. :(

[colomom]

Breaking News

From: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,70131-1285900,00.html

Photo Girl 'Not Missing Madeleine'
Updated: 15:42, Wednesday September 26, 2007

The recent photo purportedly showing Madeleine McCann is not of the missing girl, according to reports from Morocco.

Sky News understands the girl is from a local family.

Sky's crime correspondent Martin Brunt said the reports from Morocco were unofficial but he understood that the child in the photo came from a farming family.

(continues)

[colomom]

Think we should have this thread locked now???

[IrishMist]

Think we should have this thread locked now???

I'm sure Animal, Jeana or Christine will lock it if they think it needs to be.

Some people may want to post their thoughts and reactions to this news, who knows?

[Jeana (DP)]

Its not Maddie. I see no need to keep the thread open.