Ep 3. Pact of Silence

The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann is a true crime documentary series that explores the infamous case of Madeleine McCann, who vanished from a holiday resort in Portugal in 2007. Season 1, Episode 3, titled "Pact of Silence," delves deeper into the ongoing investigation and the various theories surrounding the disappearance.

The episode begins by exploring the hurried investigation conducted by the Portuguese police, who were criticized for their handling of the case. The police failed to secure the crime scene and allowed the resort staff to continue cleaning the apartment where Madeleine had gone missing. This makes it hard for the detectives to gather physical evidence and complicates the investigation.

The film then focuses on the range of theories that have emerged since Madeleine's disappearance. One of the most shocking is the allegation that a paedophile ring, who was operating in the region, abducted and trafficked the girl. The film interviews various experts and former detectives who worked on the case, and they acknowledged that the region where the McCann family was vacationing was well-known for child trafficking.

The documentary then explores the alleged theory that Madeleine was kidnapped by burglars, who had been targeting the resort where she was staying. This theory is backed up by evidence - there were burglaries in the area around the time of Madeleine's disappearance, and the apartment where she was sleeping was left unlocked. However, there are also several inconsistencies, such as no forensic evidence being found at the scene.

The episode also touches on the controversy surrounding Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann. They were initially considered suspects in their daughter's disappearance, but were later cleared. The film interviews both Kate and Gerry, who refuted the allegations and highlighted the impact that the public accusations have had on their family.

The documentary also explores the role of the media in the case, which turned it into a global phenomenon. The film highlights the various rumours and tabloid stories that plagued the investigation, which made it hard for the detectives to do their job. The media frenzy also resulted in numerous sightings of Madeleine across the world, none of which came to fruition.

Finally, the episode covers the emergence of a possible "Pact of Silence" that may have been established amongst the resort staff and locals of Praia da Luz to protect a prominent person from being implicated. The documentary presents claims by witnesses who say they saw Madeleine with a strange man on the night of her disappearance. They say that they approached the Portuguese police with the information, but nothing was done. The film argues that the police were too focused on the McCanns as potential suspects, and therefore, neglected these leads.

Overall, Season 1, Episode 3 of The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann provides an in-depth and nuanced examination of the various theories and leads that have emerged since her disappearance. It is a fascinating watch for anyone interested in true crime and unsolved mysteries.