Interview with South African hoaxer

http://www.thepost.co.za/i-ve-found-maddie-cape-man-1.1336216


I’ve found Maddie - Cape man

July 7 2012 at 12:44pm
By KOWTHAR SOLOMONS

A Cape Town businessman has made international headlines with claims that he may have found the remains of British toddler Madeleine McCann five years after she disappeared while on holiday with her family in Portugal.

The businessman, Stephen Birch, owner of commercial property developer the Birch Organisation, says he used a radar scanner and found what could be human bones near the Praia da Luiz holiday resort where the family had been staying in May 2007.

And Birch strongly suspects they belong to Madeleine, whose mysterious disappearance made headlines across the globe.

Since her disappearance, several people have claimed to have spotted her, with reports coming from as far as India. However, despite an ongoing, high-profile search campaign spearheaded by Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, the little girl remains missing.

But Birch believes he may have solved the mystery and has handed over his findings to London’s New Scotland Yard and the Portuguese police to investigate further.

He told Weekend Argus yesterday that the radar scans revealed a cavity, about 400 to 600mm below ground, which contains what appears to be human remains on private property about 150m away from the holiday resort where the McCanns were staying.



Stephen Birch claims to have found the remains of Madeleine McCann. Picture: Neil Baynes
INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

“I’ve had scans analysed by SA experts and they agree that they (the scans) clearly show a void, which has soil patterns around it, indicating human intervention and what could be human bones. But we won’t know anything for sure until we go down there.”

Birch says he is certain the scans are accurate because he tested the device at a graveyard in Cape Town before using it near the Praia da Luiz holiday resort.

Asked what motivated him to go to such extremes so long after the toddler’s disappearance, Birch said he was ”obsessed” with the case.

“Initially when the case started I was uninterested, but the prospect of solving a mystery that not even two of the world’s greatest law enforcement agencies could solve, was too exciting for me to ignore. Eventually, after months of reading through more than 12 000 pages of documents and countless interviews, I became increasingly emotionally involved to the point of obsession and was driven to help solve the case,” said Birch.

So obsessed was the property developer, that he forked out more than R500 000 in 15 months to investigate Madeleine’s disappearance.

After more than a year of investigation, Birch suspected Madeleine was not alive and that her body could be buried near the resort.

He decided to use the radar device, called the Mala ground penetrating system, to look for traces of the missing girl and, after testing it, he left for Portugal in June.

“I was trained for two months in the use of the device and knew its capabilities. During the test I was able to identify 12 bodies without marked graves between 1.5 and 2m below the surface,” Birch said.

In Portugal, he was assisted by three men, who specialise in IT and surveillance. They identified two sites where they suspected the body could be buried and investigated both.

After monitoring one of the sites for several days, Birch and his team decided that a secluded paved area, about 154m from where Madeleine disappeared, was a likely location for the grave.

Birch admitted to Weekend Argus that his visits to the property were illegal.

“I visited the site, illegally, over the next four days in the early mornings for at least four 20-minute scanning sessions. We eventually found what we believe could be the grave and took several more scans.”

“I have not heard anything from the authorities since I submitted the scans and that is in part why I have approached the media. I want to put pressure on British authorities. They, along with the media, have been holding back, and I believe their involvement in the case is extremely crucial.

“I know if we can find a body that will narrow the search to find whoever is responsible for this. I have personally become involved in this case and believe justice must be done for Madeleine,” said Birch.

The Huffington Post has reported that British detectives are examining Birch’s claim.

New Scotland Yard detectives have also asked him for more information to help them interpret the scan results.

He has sent the material to the Portuguese police, who abandoned their search 15 months after Madeleine disappeared.

Birch said he was aware the owner of the property wanted to sue him for his actions. The owner is the mother of a former suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance

who was later cleared.

Birch said he also discussed the scans with SA forensic authorities. He said he had not spoken to Madeleine’s parents in order to “remain professional”. The parents have declined to comment and are confident that their daughter is still alive.

Veteran Metropolitan detective Ian Horrocks told British newspaper, The Sun, there was a possibility she was still alive.

kowthar.solomons@inl.co.za

------------

Personally, I think this creature needs to name his fellow-trespassers, then we might see who is behind this scam.

I hope it wasn't a woman with a metal detector who was one of them?

Or maybe an ex-policeman?

Looks like the Portuguese police know all about this hoaxer:


sharonl Today
Just for the record, the investigator that sent me an e-mail 15 months ago clearly stated that he had also been in touch with Goncalo Amaral and the Policia Judiciari and anything that he had forwarded to me was also in the hands of the PJ.


Someone must be desperate to pull a stunt like this.

I really do think Birch has to reveal who else was playing Burke and Hare in Murat's garden.

In Portugal, he was assisted by three men, who specialise in IT and surveillance

MM, That sounds just like a security firm, now who do we know, has a security firm.?

Two Sites now, is it? I hope one of them isn't under The Patio.

bb1 wrote:Or maybe an ex-policeman?

Looks like the Portuguese police know all about this hoaxer:


sharonl Today
Just for the record, the investigator that sent me an e-mail 15 months ago clearly stated that he had also been in touch with Goncalo Amaral and the Policia Judiciari and anything that he had forwarded to me was also in the hands of the PJ.


Someone must be desperate to pull a stunt like this.

I really do think Birch has to reveal who else was playing Burke and Hare in Murat's garden.

The original Email Sharoni posted doesn't mention The PJ. She must be trying to talk Bennett out of trouble for not reporting it.
They never think these things through, do they.

Is this why Bennett has been so desperate to put off his Trial.

Birch said he was aware the owner of the property wanted to sue him for his actions. The owner is the mother of a former suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance

I should think so too!

Attempts now underway to put clear, blue water betwixt Team Gonc and this creature:

Carolina Today

It was Júlia Pinheiro who said that the house had been sold and I believed her. Now I think that she must have gotten it confused with the sale of 5A.

I honestly don't see how anyone could get in the garden of the house with two Serra da Estrela dogs guarding the place. They are huge and would frighten anyone away. Most of the ground in the Algarve is hard as rock and it is not possible to dig up anything with your usual shovel or without making a lot of noise.

Lots of 'security firms' in Portugal, Maggs, I am sure it is just yet another coincidence.

Birch said he was aware the owner of the property wanted to sue him for his actions. The owner is the mother of a former suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance

I should think so too!

Hope Mrs. Murat takes him to the cleaners.

bb1 wrote:Attempts now underway to put clear, blue water betwixt Team Gonc and this creature:

Carolina Today

It was Júlia Pinheiro who said that the house had been sold and I believed her. Now I think that she must have gotten it confused with the sale of 5A.

I honestly don't see how anyone could get in the garden of the house with two Serra da Estrela dogs guarding the place. They are huge and would frighten anyone away. Most of the ground in the Algarve is hard as rock and it is not possible to dig up anything with your usual shovel or without making a lot of noise.

Lots of 'security firms' in Portugal, Maggs, I am sure it is just yet another coincidence.

We could always ask Julia Pinheiro, which house she meant. Nice lady!

Has anyone told this dipstick, that Doc/Birch didn't do any digging?

Is somebody from Portugal writing her script?

This is one Extradition I am going to heartily agree with. We just have to think up a Criminal Offence. What about Breaking and Entering? The Gates are bound to have been locked.

Excellent! There is a transcript of this con-man's radio interview on Bren's blog:

http://regretsandramblings.com/2012/07/07/birch-talks-to-capetalk-radio/

It needs read in full, as there are some gems in it, like:

BIRCH Well, we’ve er, I’ve undertaken a fifteen month investigation into the Madeleine McCann case. And er, we finished off the investigation on the 13th of June this year, err, when I flew to London to make arrangements, err, with my attorney to represent me in London and also to hire a ground-penetrating radar machine. I then flew from, ermm, London to Lisbon and met my team that left from Cape Town

I want to know exactly WHO he met in London and exactly WHO his 'team' is.

Also:

Erm, I have certain evidence in my possession that says the property was not properly searched

Really? Because if there is one property that WAS properly searched, it was that one.

Time this con-man started spilling a few beans, methinks.

Who put him up to this hoax?

err, when I flew to London to make arrangements, err, with my attorney to represent me in London

?


Who put him up to this hoax?

Oh, we could definitely think of a few people who could benefit from this?

Something that has been puzzling me - why did this conman pick that section of Murat's garden - has been answered in the comments on Bren's blog:

http://regretsandramblings.com/2012/07/07/birch-talks-to-capetalk-radio/

quote:

That door under the pool is presumably the entrance to the pool maintenance area and would have had the police and dogs all over it when they searched.

It would be perfectly normal to have a water evacuation pipe leading out from that area to drain excess water / clean the filter system.

I presume he would have known that in advance and therefore would have also known that there was a high probability that he'd make a "hit" in that particular area before he ever made the trip.

Bingo!

So, who is behind this hoax? CUI BONO?

He says in that interview:

And IT team and, erm, a team to help me with regard to the camera work and surveillance. And I then met with them in Lisbon and we drove down to Praia da Luz where I pre-booked accommodation in the Ocean Club. Basically we rented an apartment known as Fuji (???) Farms 10 which overlooks the property which I’m sure some of your listeners might remember belonged to a gentleman by the name of Robert Murat. Or actually it belongs to his mother, Jenny Murat.

I wonder if he had any help from Levy and/or Morais in that regard? Also, surveillance from GA's security firm?

He knows way too much about the area for someone who only got interested 15 months ago, and had never been to Praia da Luz. He had to have outside help from someone.

Agree, Sabot. The proof that this is some kind of con-trick is there for all to see, with the police working at the exact same spot years ago:



Someone didn't do their homework, though, and didn't know that photo existed.

Time the police and lawyers moved on Mr Birch, methinks.

You can imagine that if we know this, surely SY have figured it out?

Oh, I am sure the Yard and the PJ have been onto this conman from the start, Lily. The PJ in particular will have their own records, and know there is nothing there except the swimming pool drain.

I hope they throw the book at Birch - and his 'team'.

bb1 wrote:Oh, I am sure the Yard and the PJ have been onto this conman from the start, Lily. The PJ in particular will have their own records, and know there is nothing there except the swimming pool drain.

I hope they throw the book at Birch - and his 'team'.

They have good reason to throw the book at all those involved. Just a question of time......tick tock.

And slowly, the Hate Machine goes into reverse:

Nanny ‏@MyNanny25
#McCann #Africa - #StephenBirch is he an imposter ? Please read Joana Morias tweets.

Of course he is an imposter - IRONSIDE should be an expert on that.

bb1 wrote:Oh, I am sure the Yard and the PJ have been onto this conman from the start, Lily. The PJ in particular will have their own records, and know there is nothing there except the swimming pool drain.

I hope they throw the book at Birch - and his 'team'.

Police Station Stairs, anyone?

bb1 wrote:And slowly, the Hate Machine goes into reverse:

Nanny ‏@MyNanny25
#McCann #Africa - #StephenBirch is he an imposter ? Please read Joana Morias tweets.

Of course he is an imposter - IRONSIDE should be an expert on that.

Ironside probably knows its the old Quack, Doc. and doing the damage limitation run

Maggs wrote:

bb1 wrote:And slowly, the Hate Machine goes into reverse:

Nanny ‏@MyNanny25
#McCann #Africa - #StephenBirch is he an imposter ? Please read Joana Morias tweets.

Of course he is an imposter - IRONSIDE should be an expert on that.

Ironside probably knows its the old Quack, Doc. and doing the damage limitation run

BA BOOM.

Oh yes, they were mates, weren't they? Enjoyed a good old ghoul about dead children, didn't they?

Speaking of ghouls...going back to:


http://www.thepost.co.za/i-ve-found-maddie-cape-man-1.1336216


Birch claims that he 'tested' his equipment hanging around graveyards in SA:



He decided to use the radar device, called the Mala ground penetrating system, to look for traces of the missing girl and, after testing it, he left for Portugal in June.

“I was trained for two months in the use of the device and knew its capabilities. During the test I was able to identify 12 bodies without marked graves between 1.5 and 2m below the surface,” Birch said.

ORLY?
In his interview with Cape Town Radio,

And er, we finished off the investigation on the 13th of June this year, err, when I flew to London to er, make arrangements, with my attorney, erm, to represent me in London and also to hire a ground-penetrating radar machine



No wonder the SA interview is so sceptical of this rubbish.

And if he has gone to the police, as he claims, then how did he end up in a four page special in Cart of Muck?