Portugal still investigating little girl's disappearance

[May 03, 2008]  PRAIA DA LUZ, Portugal (AP) -- A year after Madeleine McCann vanished from a resort in southern Portugal, police are still gathering evidence into the British girl's disappearance, a top detective said Saturday.

Madeleine disappeared during a family vacation in Praia da Luz on May 3 last year, a few days before her fourth birthday.

Police have named her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, and a local man, Robert Murat, as formal suspects in the case. All deny involvement in her disappearance, and police have not decided whether to file charges - or drop the case.

"At this stage, nothing has been determined regarding possible charges or closing the case," Alipio Ribeiro, head of the Policia Judiciaria investigative department, told the Portuguese national news agency Lusa. Police are still gathering and analyzing evidence, he said.

Church services were being held in Praia da Luz, in Portugal's Algarve region, and at the McCanns' hometown in central England, to mark the one-year anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance.

Kate and Gerry McCann walked hand-in-hand to a service near their home in Rothley, central England. They made no comment to the media.

The McCanns, who have launched a worldwide online campaign to find their daughter, returned to England in September, a few days after they were named as suspects.

A message written by Kate McCann is to be read out during the service at the beachside chapel in Praia da Luz, and Gerry McCann's brother John is expected to attend.

In England, the Archbishop of York has penned a special prayer for Madeleine to mark the anniversary.

[Associated Press; By BARRY HATTON]

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