6 Strange Behaviors by Madeleine McCann’s Parents That Have Fueled Suspicion for 17 Years

The disappearance of Madeleine McCann on May 3, 2007, from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, remains one of the most enduring mysteries in modern history. The three-year-old vanished while her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, dined 50 meters away with friends, sparking a global investigation and media frenzy. While the McCanns have maintained their innocence, certain actions and behaviors in the aftermath of Madeleine’s disappearance have raised eyebrows, leading to the sentiment that “Something doesn’t add up.” For 17 years, these behaviors have fueled suspicion, even as the couple was cleared as suspects in 2008. This article examines six strange behaviors by the McCanns, drawing on objective insights from web searches to explore why they’ve sparked debate, while contextualizing them within the chaotic investigation and intense public scrutiny.

1. Leaving the Children Unattended

The McCanns’ decision to leave Madeleine and their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie, alone in the unlocked apartment while dining at the Ocean Club’s tapas restaurant has been a focal point of criticism. The group, known as the “Tapas Seven,” checked on the children every 20-30 minutes, but the apartment was out of sight, 50 meters away. Kate discovered Madeleine missing at 10:00 PM, with the window and shutter open. The McCanns defended this as common among their group, with Gerry telling The Guardian in 2008, “We thought it was safe, like leaving kids in a house while you’re in the garden.” However, the choice to leave three young children unattended in a foreign resort, with an unlocked door, struck many as reckless, especially given their medical backgrounds as a GP and cardiologist. This decision, while not evidence of guilt, fueled early suspicion and remains a point of contention on platforms like X, where users question their judgment.

2. Inconsistent Statements About the Apartment’s Entry

The McCanns’ accounts of how they accessed the apartment during checks have raised questions. Kate initially told police she entered via the unlocked patio door at 10:00 PM, finding the window open and Madeleine gone. However, earlier statements suggested they used the locked front door, requiring a key. Gerry’s timeline of his 9:05 PM check also varied, with discrepancies about whether he entered the bedroom or merely looked in. These inconsistencies, detailed in Portuguese police files, were exacerbated by language barriers and poor translations during interviews. While the McCanns clarified that stress and miscommunication caused the confusion, the shifting details led police to suspect a “pact of silence” among the Tapas Seven, fueling media narratives of deception. The lack of a clear timeline, even if unintentional, has kept suspicion alive.

3. Kate’s Refusal to Answer Police Questions

In September 2007, when the McCanns were named “arguidos” (suspects), Kate was questioned for 11 hours and presented with 48 questions about the night Madeleine vanished. She refused to answer any, following her lawyer’s advice, citing concerns about mistranslations and aggressive tactics by Portuguese police. Gerry answered some questions but also remained guarded. This refusal, reported widely by outlets like Correio da Manhã, was framed as evasive, with headlines suggesting guilt. Kate later explained in her 2011 book, Madeleine, that she feared her words would be twisted, given the police’s focus on an accident theory. While legally prudent, her silence during a critical phase of the investigation struck many as uncooperative, amplifying public and media suspicion.

4. The Handling of Cuddle Cat

Madeleine’s favorite toy, a pink Cuddle Cat, became a focal point of controversy. Kate carried the toy constantly after the disappearance, often clutching it during interviews, which some interpreted as a symbol of grief but others saw as performative. In July 2007, British sniffer dogs alerted to cadaver scent on Cuddle Cat, the apartment, and a rental car used 25 days after Madeleine vanished. Kate explained she took the toy to work at a hospital mortuary, potentially explaining the scent, and washed it due to dirt, which some found suspicious as it could remove forensic evidence. The dog alerts were inconclusive, but the media, particularly Portuguese tabloids, portrayed Kate’s actions as an attempt to tamper with evidence. The decision to wash a key item, even if practical, added to the perception of odd behavior.

5. Rapid Media Engagement and the Madeleine Fund

Within days of Madeleine’s disappearance, the McCanns launched a high-profile media campaign, appearing on TV and hiring PR experts to keep the case visible. By May 15, 2007, they established the Madeleine Fund, raising £1 million to support the search, with contributions from figures like J.K. Rowling. While intended to sustain publicity, the speed and scale of this effort—uncommon for missing persons cases—raised questions. Critics, including posts on X, argued it seemed orchestrated, with some alleging the fund financed their legal defense rather than the search. The McCanns countered that publicity was vital, as seen in their 2007 papal visit