Kate 'complained frequently'
2007-09-13 14:25
Lisbon - Portuguese newspapers on Thursday quoted what they said were extracts from the personal diary of Kate McCann, portraying her as a woman worn out by her three children, including missing toddler Madeleine.
The daily Publico said a copy of the diary had been seized during a police search of the Portuguese holiday home of the couple, who have been named as official suspects in the search for Madeleine.
Jornal de Noticias said the diary and other personal documents were now in the hands of examining magistrate Pedro Danielo dos Anjos Frias, who under Portuguese law must rule if they can be used as evidence.
Correio da Manha said that Kate McCann complained frequently in her diary that her children were "hysterical" and Madeleine in particular was hyperactive, while her husband Gerry did not help in household tasks.
According to Publico, events following the disappearance of Madeleine from the family's holiday apartment on May 3 while her parents were dining nearby with friends, are also described.
They include "the mother's anguish and despair, the solidarity of friends and the impact in the media", Publico said, adding that the police were interested in making comparisons or checking for contradictions in the various entries.
Publico said Portuguese prosecutors had asked the judge to summon Kate McCann back to Portugal from Britain, where they returned on Sunday.
According to Philomena McCann, Kate's sister-in-law, police suspect her of accidentally killing Madeleine then hiding her body.
- AFP