Paul James: Why did Kate make so much of Cuddle Cat?

Remember Karen Matthews and Cuddle Bear? She copied the McCann's faked abduction story and it was so obvious to everyone, even very small children could see that this was a shameless carbon copy. Even the press had Karen pose with Shannon's 'supposedly' favourite toy, Cuddle Bear, just as Kate posed with Madeleine's 'supposedly' favourite toy, Cuddle Cat.

So what exactly is Cuddle Cat really about and why it is so important for Kate to flaunt it, right from the very start?

A TV drama was produced about the faked kidnap of Shannon Matthews where it featured Karen Matthews clutching a stuffed toy in front of the press and TV cameras, mirroring Kate.

The faked kidnapping of her own daughter was inspired purely by the huge amount of cash being seen offered by the Madeleine case that happened just nine months earlier, and so Karen set out to 'cash in' with a relative by setting up a staged recovery and then raking in on the reward. In the mean time, getting more money offers from media interviews .

The TV show that was produced, portrayed the story of Shannon, who apparently 'vanished' without trace from the Moorside council estate in Dewsbury in February 2008.

Unbeknownst to the world's press and public, Karen had blatantly copied the faked abduction from the McCanns.

As viewers watched, from the start, Madeleine's situation was highlighted at least three times. In one scene, discussions were made for a candle lit vigil and then someone said, 'they are offering two-and-a-half million pounds for Madeleine McCann'. Finally, Karen says to an officer, 'I’ve got my Cuddly Bear that you wanted, like Madeleine's mum wants her Cuddle Cat.'

The police officer asked, 'Is that Shannon’s favourite?' Karen takes a while to think, before answering: 'Probably.'

During the show’s reconstruction of the appeal, Karen blatantly, still copying Kate, cried crocodile tears, trying to sound bothered, copying Kate’s words closely, saying, 'I need her home. If anyone’s got my beautiful princess, bring her home.'

In a later newspaper article, a source close to Kate and Gerry said: The whole Shannon Matthews event only came about because of Madeleine’s disappearance, the family thought they could extort money through donations, rewards and interviews'.

Sound familiar anyone?

Karen was eventually arrested, charged and jailed for eight years for her daughter’s drugging and kidnapping.

Interestingly, not one photo has ever been seen of just Shannon with Cuddle Bear and not one photo has ever been seen of just Madeleine with Cuddle Cat.

I find that rather strange! Don't you?

But one things for sure is, Cuddle Bear was a complete fabrication, a prop, based entirely on Madeleine's faked abduction and meant nothing to Karen, but so is Cuddle Cat; Madeleine's supposedly favourite toy means nothing to Kate, so the question is, why did Kate make so much of Cuddle Cat?

Comments:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/JillHavernCompleteMysteryofMadeleineMcCann/permalink/2703222509922225/

I well recall reading at the time of the 'abduction', Kate refused for two days to release the Cuddle Cat to the police. Her explanation was along the lines that it  was too close to her, and she couldn't bear to part with it. When she did release it, she had washed it twice, so I read. It then seemed clear to me that the child had choked on her vomit while asleep. In the absence of her medical parents to assist her, she died. Her favourite toy was therefore marked with her vomit, which would reveal to the police the cause of her death. Hence, the need to wash away the evidence. The situation is similar to the Sherlock Holmes case of the 'Retired Colourman'. After killing his wife and her lover, he had to remove the odour of gas from the scene of the crime by painting the room. In fact, it was a give-away, just as washing clean the evidence of what had happened to Madeline. Neither action is the natural consequence of having just lost a loved one.

I doubt very much the vomit soaked cuddle cat would have been overlooked by Joao Barreiras the crime scene photographer and the police who were in 5a that night. Unless of course, Madeleine did indeed go missing earlier in the week and the cuddle cat had been washed in readiness for " setting the scene. "

Jack Daw wrote:I well recall reading at the time of the 'abduction', Kate refused for two days to release the Cuddle Cat to the police. Her explanation was along the lines that it  was too close to her, and she couldn't bear to part with it. When she did release it, she had washed it twice, so I read. It then seemed clear to me that the child had choked on her vomit while asleep. In the absence of her medical parents to assist her, she died. Her favourite toy was therefore marked with her vomit, which would reveal to the police the cause of her death. Hence, the need to wash away the evidence. The situation is similar to the Sherlock Holmes case of the 'Retired Colourman'. After killing his wife and her lover, he had to remove the odour of gas from the scene of the crime by painting the room. In fact, it was a give-away, just as washing clean the evidence of what had happened to Madeline. Neither action is the natural consequence of having just lost a loved one.

It's evident from your comments that your primary source of information is from the media, more particularly the tabloid press.

The PJ did not to my knowledge ever show any interest in cuddlecat until the arrival of Eddie and Keela, the specialist dogs, if the police had reason to sequestre cuddlecat to assist their investigation, Kate McCann would have no choice but to concede. It was widely reported that Kate McCann had washed cuddlecat on a couple of occasions, her reason being..

Kate McCann's diary

THURSDAY, JULY 12: I hate the person who took my Madeleine—the same one who has caused all this trouble, who made us feel worthless and mistrustful and mainly who has frightened my beautiful Madeleine. I will never forgive that person/those people for this. Never.

Today I washed the Cuddle Cat. (Madeleine's favourite soft toy and a constant comfort to heartbroken Kate). I was hoping not to have to do it until Madeleine returns, but it was now quite dirty and smelly, unfortunately without the smell of Madeleine on it. XX

That is the closest you will get to anything with any semblance of truth.

Cuddlecat first rose to fame when Eddie, the cadavar dog, showed interest in it during the dogs inspection late July 2007. It was then sequestred for forensic examination..

cadaver odour dog:
* in two pieces of clothing belonging to KATE HEALY
* in a piece of clothing of the minor MADELEINE
* in the plush toy, possibly belonging to MADELEINE (it was detected cadaver odour, when the plush was inside the residence – at the date occupied by the family)

PJ Files

The remainder of you post is pure speculation, there is no evidence to support.

May I respectfully ask that you be very cautious about what you post on CMOMM, especially when embarking on baseless supposition. This is a highly respected serious forum that boasts extensive membership and is read across the globe by both members and guests. The forum is also closely monitored by team McCann and their legal team - it's paramount that we adhere to fact and evidenced material/informed opinion as far as possible. Of course, if you have well sourced information to impart that might help our long journey towards justice for little Madeleine Mccann, you're more than welcome to add.

Thank you for understanding.

Verdi

crusader wrote:I doubt very much the vomit soaked cuddle cat would have been overlooked by Joao Barreiras the crime scene photographer and the police who were in 5a that night. Unless of course, Madeleine did indeed go missing earlier in the week and the cuddle cat had been washed in readiness for " setting the scene. "

Quite so crusader, quite so !