James and Charlotte Gorrod

Whilst browsing on Pamalam's website, I came across some info about the Gorrods. This couple appear to have slipped under the radar in the investigation - did they give statements, how long were they in PDL, had their visit to the O'Brian family been pre-arranged? Despite googling their names, I can't find much info about them other than a brief article from 'The Sun' Dec 2007 titled The Exeter Connection, which appears to have been mostly deleted.

JAMES & CHARLOTTE GORROD
CHARLOTTE AND JAMES GORROD (32 and 34 respectively)Year 2007
A British family who have been linked by police in Portugal to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann today denied any involvement in the case. James Gorrod, 34, and his blonde-haired wife Charlotte, 32, branded any suggestions of their involvement "ridiculous". Coincidentally the Gorrods are friends of Dr Russell O'Brien and his partner Jane Tanner - who are close friends of the McCanns - and met the O'Brien family at the resort.
James Gorrod



From left, Dr O'Brien and partner Jane Tanner, James Gorrod and his wife Charlotte friends of O'Brian & Tanner, they were all in PDL on 03 May2007
TAPAS 9 PHOTOS
EXPRESS 14-08-07

Charlotte Gorrod

British family cleared of any link to Madeleine McCann's disappearance.
TELEGRAPH-14-08-07

Friends Liverpool Meeting 7.30pm, Tuesday, 16t

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Also see

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Blood traces found in the holiday apartment from which Madeleine McCann was snatched did not come from the missing girl, it was reported today.

Blood traces found in the holiday apartment from which Madeleine McCann was snatched did not come from the missing girl, it was reported today.

Reports today claim forensic results show the blood came from a man.

The results come at the end of a fortnight in which speculation has been rife that the little girl was murdered in the Praia da Luz apartment.

There have been numerous reports in the Portuguese media quoting anonymous police sources as saying detectives believe four-year-old Madeleine died in the apartment the night she went missing.

Detectives officially acknowledged she could be dead for the first time on Saturday.

The technical analysis of the tiny spots of blood found smeared on the bedroom wall show it probably came from a man from the "northeast European sub group", the newspaper said.

A male guest is known to have injured himself while staying at the flat after Madeleine disappeared.

This could explain why the blood was not found when Portuguese police searched the apartment after Madeleine's disappearance.

The blood sample analysis is said to be 72% accurate due to the sample's degeneration.

Further tests are being carried out by the Forensic Science Service.

In another development, it has been reported that detectives may soon name new official suspects in the case.

Police sources are reported as saying they have a "new line of inquiry which has proved significant".

The McCanns have clung to the hope that their daughter is still alive during the 105 days since she vanished while they ate dinner with friends at a nearby restaurant.

But Madeleine's mother Kate has said that she would rather know her daughter was dead than remain in limbo for the rest of her life.

A British family caught up in the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine have already been cleared of any involvement.

James and Charlotte Gorrod, from Exeter, who were on holiday at the same time as the McCanns, came under suspicion when they hired a car at an airport with a child seat.

But it turned out to be for their two-year-old son.

Earlier this week Mrs Gorrod said she was baffled Portuguese police had not spoken to them while they were on holiday even though they offered to help.

Lots of interesing info on this thread (scroll down to see the thread). Includes info on the Gorrods as well as other guests:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Interesting articles Sharon, especially the MF piece about Murat Whilst I do not think that he was complicit in Madeleine's death, there is much to indicate that he was involved in the cover-up.

Cheshire Cat wrote:Lots of interesing info on this thread (scroll down to see the thread). Includes info on the Gorrods as well as other guests:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Haven't seen this website before, there is quite a lot of interesting info about the other guests and, as we have come to expect from this case, some of it throwing up more questions than answers - I'v added it to my favourites, CC

Here is the section about the Gorrods. Does anyone know if they gave statements to the police?

What do we know about the Gorrods, are they Doctors by any chance? (lawyer)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] ... taff_id/62

British family caught up in the investigation say detectives have cleared them of any link to the case. Solicitor James Gorrod, from Exeter, and his family happened to be in the resort at the same time, but never met the McCann’s.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]


James Gorrod, 34, a solicitor from Exeter, said that detectives had cleared him and his wife of any link to her disappearance. They had raised suspicion because they were a couple who were on holiday with the McCann’s and had hired a car with a child seat. However, it transpired that they were travelling with their two-year-old son.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]



A BRITON told yesterday how he became caught up in the investigation into missing Madeleine McCann after suspicious staff at a hire car firm tipped off police.

Lawyer James Gorrod, 34, rented a blue Opel Corsa in Portugal five days before the four-year-old vanished.

Staff at rental firm Sixt, based at Faro airport, raised the alarm when he returned the vehicle on May 6 – because it was fitted with a child seat and they believed he was travelling alone.

Mr Gorrod was later contacted by British police after it was discovered he had close links with friends who had been on holiday with Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry.

In a statement, Mr Gorrod said last night: “A British police officer directly liaising with the Portuguese investigation team recently contacted me to eliminate the vehicle I hired for a holiday with my wife and two-year-son in Praia da Luz at the time Madeleine McCann disappeared.

“The ¬vehicle has been identified and I have been told by the British police officer that he has no plans to interview me or my family, and he does not expect me or my family to have any further involvement in the investigation. We are, of course, deeply saddened by Madeleine’s disappearance and hope for her safe return.”

Mr Gorrod’s wife, Charlotte, yesterday said it was “absolutely ridiculous” to suggest the couple were in any way linked to Madeleine’s ¬disappearance.

She said: “Horrible things have been said about us and our friends but none of them are true.’’

The Gorrods live in Exeter, Devon, just two minutes from their friends, hospital consultant Dr Russell O’Brien and Jane Tanner, who are both key witnesses in the investigation.

The two couples met up during their week-long holiday in Portugal and it is believed Mr Gorrod and his family were staying at the same resort in Praia da Luz as the McCann’s and their seven friends.

Coincidentally, chief suspect Robert Murat, 33, was in Exeter for 10 days shortly before Madeleine vanished on May 3.

The British expat arrived back in the Algarve just 48 hours earlier on May 1. He has since been questioned several times by police but has always protested his innocence.

Mr Gorrod, his wife, and their two-year-old son William flew out to Portugal on April 28 – the same day as the McCann’s and their friends began their ill-fated holiday.

Police were alerted after Mr Gorrod returned the car eight days later. The vehicle was never examined by Portuguese police and was leased out five more times.

Three months into the investigation British police carried out a major review of the case and car hire bosses were ordered to take it off the road last Monday.

The vehicle was traced to Lisbon and has now been placed in a compound awaiting examination.

Yesterday Mrs Gorrod, 32, said how hurtful speculation about the couple’s involvement in the case had been.

She said: “This is all absolutely ridiculous. We know Dr O’Brien and Jane Tanner because we both have children of about the same age and we were staying in the same resort. At the time, the Portuguese police asked the O’Brien’s if they knew anybody who had access to a car and they gave our names.

“We were happy to talk to the police but they did not approach us.

“We know what is being said now and it is ridiculous. The car has been checked out and there is no problem. It is surprising it has come up now and very upsetting for me because I have just come out of hospital after giving birth to my second child.

“We have been told that the family and friends of the McCann’s are not under suspicion. My husband has spoken to the police and given them all the details of the car. We just want to help really and we could do without all this hassle.
“My husband was on holiday with myself and our son who is aged two. And that is why we needed a baby seat. It was our last chance to have a holiday before I got too pregnant to fly.”

Dr O’Brien, 36, has told police he saw Murat outside the McCanns’ apartment around the time of the abduction.

He was among three members of the McCanns’ party who insist they saw Murat close to the apartment that night.

Miss Tanner claims she saw a man rushing away from the complex with a child wrapped in a blanket at around 9.10pm, 50 minutes before the alarm was raised.

Portuguese police were last night still awaiting the results of DNA tests being carried out in Britain on specks of blood found in the McCanns’ holiday apartment.

Yesterday, the respected Portuguese newspaper Diario de Noticias reported that British sniffer dogs had carried out searches along the coastline close to Praia da Luz.

The newspaper claims police are working on the theory that Madeleine’s body was thrown into the sea.

It is possible her corpse was placed in a rubbish bag weighed down by rocks.

It is also claimed that police believe Madeleine died in the family’s holiday apartment – either by accident or murder.

But, despite the speculation, the McCann’s insist they will carry on believing Madeleine is alive until they are shown evidence to the contrary.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]



"Mr Gorrod, his wife, and their two-year-old son William flew out to Portugal on April 28 – the same day as the McCann’s and their friends began their ill-fated holiday".
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

One has no doubt that more scrutiny would not go amiss.

Couple of things I have thought about re the Gaorrods.

The T9 say they didn't know that the Ocean Club didn't have a baby listening facility - so why didn't Jane Tanner ask her friends the Gorrods before hand

Also I think it states that there were THREE adults booked into their apartment and there is only ever any reference in the media to it being only James & Charlotte in PDL with their 2 year old son.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Gillyspot wrote:

Also I think it states that there were THREE adults booked into their apartment and there is only ever any reference in the media to it being only James & Charlotte in PDL with their 2 year old son.

Where does it say 3 adults Gillyspot ?

Isn't where it says "Ad" (after Saida).

Most have number 2 but the Gorrods have 3

and yes why are the Gorrods booked in starting the 30th April but flew out and picked up their rental car at 20:06 on April 28th.

Where were they for 2 days?

Gillyspot wrote:Isn't where it says "Ad" (after Saida).

Most have number 2 but the Gorrods have 3

And if you look at the McCann booking it says 5 and O'Brien booking it says 4. I agree adults and children numbers should be seperated properly.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

The integrity of the OC daily run report information, leaves a lot to be desired.

The Garrods booked their trip to PDL on or around 28th March 2007

And they definitely picked up their hired car on the 28th April at 20.06. (Their flight left Bristol airport at 17:25 on the 28th April) It seems to have taken 2 days to drive to the Ocean Club from Faro airport! they could have driven from Exeter to PDL in that time. Where were they for 2 days???

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

James Gorrod is a solicitor at Ansteys in Exeter, and specialises in property and contruction law.

Robert Murat visited his sister house in Exeter in April 2007. His sister's house is alleged to have been within a mile of Gorrod and O Brien's properties. Murat has been employed by several property dealers, including Remax in Lagos, where Ocean Country has its head office

I have got sidetracked and came across this. Sorry if this has been asked before but is it normal if you travel with a 2 year old they are not on the passenger list? What if there was accident. How would the airline know who was on the plane?

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


And this......

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

What are the chances of moving from your house to another one in a totally different part of the country, and within a few weeks of moving there your brand new neighbours just happened to be going to the very same holiday resort as you on the very same day? And the man you are trying to get arrested for your friends daughters abduction also just happened to be less a mile up the road from your new house in this different part of the country the week before too? And he too just happens to live outside the holiday resort you are going to, infact his father built up the surrounding area of this holiday resort

This is the true story of jane tanner/rob o'brien / robert murat / The gorrods

Maybe murat was in Exeter to visit the Gorrods? According to Textusa the Gorrods own an apartment in the resort. The Gorrods have offices in Plymouth. Murats cousin/aunt Sally Eveleigh and her husband Ralph Eveleigh, they live in Plymouth and Sally Eveleigh works too for a adoption agency. She and her husband own houses in Portugal. Murat's uncle, Ralph Eveleigh, runs a bed and breakfast in the nearby village of Burgau

The Gorrods went 'missing' for nearly 2 days after arriving at the airport on the 28th and did not arrive at OC until the 30th which is most curious, 30th the day murat booked his very hasty plane ticket back to PDL

aquila wrote: That is bloody interesting JD.

Its get more interesting aquila..""After looking at the Police Files it transpires that BOTH of the witnesses responsible for querying David Payne - Yvonne Warren Martin and Katerina Gaspar - have both served in the medical and social professions in the ... Plymouth... area."

jd wrote:What are the chances of moving from your house to another one in a totally different part of the country, and within a few weeks of moving there your brand new neighbours just happened to be going to the very same holiday resort as you on the very same day? And the man you are trying to get arrested for your friends daughters abduction also just happened to be less a mile up the road from your new house in this different part of the country the week before too? And he too just happens to live outside the holiday resort you are going to, infact his father built up the surrounding area of this holiday resort

This is the true story of jane tanner/rob o'brien / robert murat / The gorrods

Maybe murat was in Exeter to visit the Gorrods? According to Textusa the Gorrods own an apartment in the resort. The Gorrods have offices in Plymouth. Murats cousin/aunt Sally Eveleigh and her husband Ralph Eveleigh, they live in Plymouth and Sally Eveleigh works too for a adoption agency. She and her husband own houses in Portugal. Murat's uncle, Ralph Eveleigh, runs a bed and breakfast in the nearby village of Burgau

The Gorrods went 'missing' for nearly 2 days after arriving at the airport on the 28th and did not arrive at OC until the 30th which is most curious, 30th the day murat booked his very hasty plane ticket back to PDL

Very interesting, a few to many Coincidence's for me. I wonder where they went when they disappeared for 2 day's?

Candyfloss, when we took my 18 month old abroad, she had to be put down as a passenger, even though under 3's went free.

I agree there are so many many coincidence's, but to know them helps create a path to what business they were out there for, and what may be the reason for this huge coverup

James gorrod is into property law.

Badboys wrote:James gorrod is into property law.

Do you know what sort of propery law, Badboys, big property like 'Freeport' or local stuff like Ocean Club/Symington/Murat style.

Appears to be involved in county/high court disputes,not sure if he does any other work

there is the case where a judge ruled a developer had to consider his neighbours security.possible damage to neighbours property.

Badboys wrote:Appears to be involved in county/high court disputes,not sure if he does any other work

there is the case where a judge ruled a developer had to consider his neighbours security.possible damage to neighbours property.

Thanks Badboys, I don't see Freeport being of interest here then, his work doesn't look high profile enough, if he works at county court/high court level.

bobbin wrote:

Badboys wrote:Appears to be involved in county/high court disputes,not sure if he does any other work

there is the case where a judge ruled a developer had to consider his neighbours security.possible damage to neighbours property.

Thanks Badboys, I don't see Freeport being of interest here then, his work doesn't look high profile enough, if he works at county court/high court level.

I forgot to say that james gorrod was a member of the wall party group(cornwall/devon)possibly connected to wall party act.

freeport was once mentioned by gerry mccann.