Article today from 'Goldcoast'- Grief unites Morcombe, McCann families

by Littlefish 04.09.12 9:13

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/09/04/437731_gold-coast-news.html

Grief unites Morcombe, McCann families

Ann Wason Moore | 10:47am September 4, 2012

TWO families half a world apart have been brought together by their shared pain.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe, whose son Daniel, 13, was abducted in December 2003, have become firm friends with British couple Gerry and Kate McCann.

The McCann's daughter Madeleine was abducted while the family holidayed in Portugal in May 2007. She has never been found.

Daniel Morcombe's disappearance was not solved until August last year when some of Daniel's bones and clothing were found in a creek in the Glass House Mountains. A Perth man was arrested and charged with murder.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe told SHE Magazine they connected online with the McCanns years ago, later meeting in person for a few pints at a pub.

"Obviously and unfortunately we have a lot in common," Mr Morcombe said.

"Everyone knows our story and everyone knows the story of Madeleine McCann.

"We all understand what it's like to have that uncertainty, that pain, that nightmare and intrusion."

The families met up when the Morcombes were touring the UK last year, and they stayed in the McCanns' home.

"They are truly lovely, wonderful people," Mr Morcombe said.

"Like us, this just came out of nowhere for them.

"And like us, they have vowed to fight on for the truth.
"We're more than victims of circumstance and more than friends now.
"We're part of the family of survivors."

Read the rest of the interview in SHE Magazine, free in today's Gold Coast Bulletin.

I was curious to see if this website had featured articles about the McCann case before. A search showed that this appears to be the first/only one.

by Guest 04.09.12 9:50

This is a rerun of a story from August last year.

https://jillhavern.forumotion.net/t3325-families-united-in-grief

How my blood boils when the McCanns latch on to genuine victims of crime.

Article today from 'Goldcoast'- Grief unites Morcombe, McCann families 362910

Article today from 'Goldcoast'- Grief unites Morcombe, McCann families 362910

by **PeterMac** 04.09.12 10:09

"Daniel Morcombe's disappearance was not solved until August last year when some of Daniel's bones and clothing were found in a creek in the Glass House Mountains. A Perth man was arrested and charged with murder.
"Obviously and unfortunately we have a lot in common," Mr Morcombe said."
Meaning that Madeleine is dead and that the McCanns know that ?

by Littlefish 04.09.12 11:19

Thanks, Jean, I hadn't seen last year's article. The differences between the two articles interest me. I notice that last year's article makes this distinction:

"...Mr Morcombe said a stark difference they had from the McCanns was the global scrutiny the British family had faced about accusations that they were involved in their daughter’s disappearance.

Mr and Mrs McCann were listed as suspects for four months after their daughter went missing. They were later cleared of that allegation.

The Morcombes were supported nationwide as soon as their story spread in December, 2003.

“We’ve never had any scrutiny in the media regarding accusations that we were in any way involved,” Mr Morcombe said.

“Clearly that is a marked difference with (the McCanns)."
http://www.coolum-news.com.au/story/2011/08/17/families-united-in-grief-morcombe-mccann/

There is no mention made today of any acccusations. Also, this part of the previous article is missing from today's:

"...Among the 3000 emails the Morcombes have received is a message from former NSW deputy fire commissioner Ken Thompson, who last year tracked down his six-year-old son in Amsterdam after he was abducted by his mother."

So, no mention of "accusations" against the McCanns and no mention of the case where the child was found alive; as you suggest, PeterMac, more similarities being drawn than differences.

by aiyoyo 04.09.12 11:50

Daniel Morcombe was 13, alone at an unofficial bus stop,. when he was abducted.

Hardly parallel with the mccann's case.
But never mind, they will latch onto any genuine case that fits their agenda.
I dont see them inviting Tia Sharp's mum over to Rothley to exchange notes.

"They are truly lovely, wonderful people," Mr Morcombe said.
"Like us, this just came out of nowhere for them."
"And like us, they have vowed to fight on for the truth."
"We're more than victims of circumstance and more than friends now."
"We're part of the family of survivors."

Wonder whether the Morcombes will still feel that way they find out they'd been duped.

by Guest 04.09.12 11:55

This meeting was held before Daniel's remains were found. In my opinion the McCanns only befriended his parents when there was still a chance that he could be found alive as that fits their own agenda regarding their daughter.

by Littlefish 04.09.12 12:14

Elizabeth Smart's father is also friends with Gerry. Again, few parallels between this disappearance (and eventual reappearance) and Madeleine's case. The extreme rarity of a toddler being abducted and found alive means that I can't think of any other parents in the McCanns' position - none that they have a public relationship with, anyway. Ben Needham's mother is the closest match I can think of.

by aiyoyo 04.09.12 12:54

No doubt the meeting was before Morcombe was found but Mccann knew his was a case of genuine abduction.
Most victims are found dead anyway.
Main thing is: there was no parental involvement in that case and the mccanns want to be associated in the same way.
They are selective about victims they want to be associated with.
It's all about their image managing.
Everything else is just PR and spin.

If the mccanns are truly concerned about missing victims they would use their Fund to help others instead of wasting it on vexatious litigations.

by **Jill Havern** 13.08.18 8:04

An article written before Daniel's body was found:

Morcombe parents ask for inquest
ABC July 5, 2009, 11:50 am

Daniel Morcombe's family is pushing for safety awareness programs in Tasmanian schools.

The parents of missing Queensland teenager Daniel Morcombe have called for an inquest into their son's unsolved disappearance.

The 13-year-old was last seen waiting to catch a bus on the Sunshine Coast in December 2003.

Daniel's mother Denise Morcombe says she and her husband have written to the Queensland Coroner Michael Barnes.

She says an inquest could reveal more information.

"People have to go into the courtroom under oath and hopefully they will tell the truth," she said.

"Someone might be hiding some information and if they do have to sit there under oath they might come forward with the truth."

Mrs Morcombe says the coroner has sent the request to police.

"It's just natural - all cases have to have an inquest at some stage, and it's been five and a half years now so we just thought that it was time to just put that request in," she said.
---------

It's been more than 11 years now, so why haven't the McCann's called for an Inquest into Madeleine's disappearance so that people (like the Tapas 7) can go into a courtroom and tell the truth?

by Guest 13.08.18 12:44

An inquest into the unsolved disappearance of a child? Mmmm .. isn't that roughly why Operation Grange was initiated?

Some years ago, questions were asked as to why the McCanns haven't applied through the courts for a declaration of death in abstentia, so they could grieve and bring closure. Possible after seven years in the UK I believe.

They didn't do that, nor does it seems likely that they intend to in the foreseeable future - apparently because there 'is no evidence that Madeleine has come to any harm, so she is still a find-able little girl'.

The innate sceptic might think otherwise think