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Madeleine search reaches 100 days Madeleine search reaches 100 days
(about 5 hours later)
The passing of 100 days since Madeleine McCann disappeared in Portugal is to be marked by her family and supporters with a series of events.The passing of 100 days since Madeleine McCann disappeared in Portugal is to be marked by her family and supporters with a series of events.
It comes amid unconfirmed Portuguese newspaper reports that police now believe the four-year-old is dead.It comes amid unconfirmed Portuguese newspaper reports that police now believe the four-year-old is dead.
Her parents, Kate and Gerry, have also been forced to deny allegations they were somehow involved.Her parents, Kate and Gerry, have also been forced to deny allegations they were somehow involved.
The couple will attend a prayer service in Praia da Luz, while in Britain sports stars will pledge their support. The couple are attending a prayer service in Praia da Luz. In Britain sports stars will pledge their support.
A hundred days is a landmark of sorts Madeleine's great uncle Brian Kennedy
Madeleine's grandparents, Brian and Susan Healey, will take to the streets in Liverpool to hand out balloons, stickers and posters to mark her disappearance.Madeleine's grandparents, Brian and Susan Healey, will take to the streets in Liverpool to hand out balloons, stickers and posters to mark her disappearance.
And in the family's home town of Rothley, in Leicestershire, relatives and friends of the McCanns marked the 100-day milestone with a quiet vigil at the local Catholic church.
About 50 people gathered at the Sacred Heart Church to say prayers and light candles for Madeleine on Friday night.
Her great-uncle, Brian Kennedy, said: "A hundred days is a landmark of sorts. At 50 days we hoped at the time that we would not be here another 50 days later but here we are and so it goes on.
"I hope the investigation produces a result at the end."
And at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, a special lament to the missing girl is to be played by a lone piper.And at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, a special lament to the missing girl is to be played by a lone piper.
Media pressure Traces of blood?
Madeleine's parents believe she is still alive and say they have not seen any "concrete evidence" to the contrary.Madeleine's parents believe she is still alive and say they have not seen any "concrete evidence" to the contrary.
They have come under intense media pressure as police reportedly move away from the long-held belief that Madeleine was abducted from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on 3 May.They have come under intense media pressure as police reportedly move away from the long-held belief that Madeleine was abducted from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on 3 May.
Portuguese police are publicly refusing to comment on the newspaper reports.Portuguese police are publicly refusing to comment on the newspaper reports.
100 days of searching100 days of searching
Meanwhile, suspected traces of blood from the Algarve apartment where Madeleine was last seen are being tested in Birmingham by UK scientists.Meanwhile, suspected traces of blood from the Algarve apartment where Madeleine was last seen are being tested in Birmingham by UK scientists.
The McCanns, from Rothley, Leicestershire, have insisted they will not be "bullied" into leaving Portugal by the growing backlash against them. The McCanns insist they will not be "bullied" into leaving Portugal by the growing backlash against them.
Mr McCann told the BBC: "It's incredibly difficult when people are implying that your daughter is dead and that you may have been involved in it.Mr McCann told the BBC: "It's incredibly difficult when people are implying that your daughter is dead and that you may have been involved in it.
"I had a fairly strong belief that there was a lack of evidence, certainly initially, that there was no evidence of serious harm and I do not know of any specific evidence now that alters that.""I had a fairly strong belief that there was a lack of evidence, certainly initially, that there was no evidence of serious harm and I do not know of any specific evidence now that alters that."
Madeleine's mother Kate said: "All we want is Madeleine back, and the truth to be out. Anything else we'll stay strong and we'll get through."Madeleine's mother Kate said: "All we want is Madeleine back, and the truth to be out. Anything else we'll stay strong and we'll get through."
Mr McCann also told the BBC there had been a "shift in the investigation" and detectives could be "starting with a new slate", fuelling speculation Robert Murat, the only official suspect in the case, will be formally cleared in the coming weeks.Mr McCann also told the BBC there had been a "shift in the investigation" and detectives could be "starting with a new slate", fuelling speculation Robert Murat, the only official suspect in the case, will be formally cleared in the coming weeks.
'Scrutiny' Pledges of support
The couple have met detectives twice this week but are understood to be frustrated by a lack of clear information.The couple have met detectives twice this week but are understood to be frustrated by a lack of clear information.
Under Portuguese law, police are not allowed to speak publicly about the details of an investigation but a spokesman has said there are indications to contradict the view that she was abducted. Under Portuguese law, police are not allowed to speak publicly about the details of an investigation but a spokesman has said there were indications to contradict the view that she was abducted.
Paul Luckman, publisher of the expat newspaper Portugal News, told the BBC: "The police investigation has changed over the last 10 or 14 days and I think that's probably borne of the knowledge that the hundred days is coming up and the local police force will come under some scrutiny."
In Praia da Luz the McCanns are due to attend a special prayer service for missing children.
In Britain, there will be prayers and pledges of support by sports stars, including England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, jockey Frankie Dettori and Everton Football Club.In Britain, there will be prayers and pledges of support by sports stars, including England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, jockey Frankie Dettori and Everton Football Club.
Teams in the Premiership will wear T-shirts with Madeleine's image during their pre-match warm ups.Teams in the Premiership will wear T-shirts with Madeleine's image during their pre-match warm ups.
Among the international events is a mass being held in the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, France.Among the international events is a mass being held in the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, France.
On Friday, the McCanns helped launch a new section on the video-sharing website YouTube which will show footage of missing children.On Friday, the McCanns helped launch a new section on the video-sharing website YouTube which will show footage of missing children.
The Don't You Forget About Me channel will be managed by the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington DC.The Don't You Forget About Me channel will be managed by the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington DC.