People.co.uk
Pendiente de traducción
9 August 2009
EXCLUSIVE
Russell Myers
A £3MILLION superyacht has become the latest focus in the two-year hunt for Madeleine McCann.
It was moored at a Spanish marina three days after Maddie vanished when a woman with an Australian accent asked a man: "Are you here to deliver my new daughter?" The luxury boat - named Willpower - is owned by mega-rich Aussie socialite Rhonda Wyllie.
But the 52-year-old is said to be "devastated" by the news and has vowed to do all she can to help investigators.
There is NO suggestion Rhonda - widow of property tycoon Bill Wyllie - is connected to Maddie's disappearance.
Willpower, which is currently for sale, is a 105ft Sunseeker big enough to sleep six guests and carry four crew.
Last night Rhonda's brother Wayne McGrath said: "I have spoken to my sister and she is absolutely devastated.
"She doesn't know anything about this.
"She does go to Spain - she's been there for the last two or three years. But the only reason she goes is to entertain friends."
Wayne added: "She is happy to co-operate with and help any investigation."
The People has learnt most of the crew who have worked on Willpower in recent years have been Australian.
It's believed investigators want to find out all they can about anyone connected to the yacht to rule them out of the probe.
Records show Willpower was at the Port Olimpic marina in Barcelona when a woman - said to look like Posh Spice Victoria Beckham - approached a British man and asked about the child.
It is believed she had mistaken him for a "courier".
A source close to the worldwide Hunt for Maddie said: "Any information the yacht's owners can give would be very helpful."
Willpower is thought to be in the south of France at present.
Madeleine vanished from a Portuguese apartment in Praia da Luz in May 2007 - just before her fourth birthday.
She was on holiday with mum Kate, dad Gerry and the couple's twins Sean and Amelie, then aged two.
The children were alseep in the flat while their parents dined with friends at a nearby restaurant when Maddie was last seen.
Since then, heart specialist Gerry and GP Kate, of Rothley, Leics, have campaigned tirelessly around the world to find their missing daughter.
A new global appeal was launched in London on Thursday after the possible "Aussie Spice" link came to light.
Kate and Gerry, both 41, have already had more than 600 calls after an E-fit picture of a suspect was released.
Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "There has been an overwhelming response.
"Kate and Gerry are very pleased and grateful to people for making such an effort to help them."
But a woman named as a match for the E-fit claims she has not left Australia for years.
Judith Aron, of Glen Iris, Victoria, said: "I'm 53 years old and I certainly don't look like a Spice Girl.
"I'm totally shocked anybody may have thought I have some connection to the case.
"I have been looking after my sick father and I haven't left the country since 2000."
Pendiente de traducción
9 August 2009
EXCLUSIVE
Russell Myers
A £3MILLION superyacht has become the latest focus in the two-year hunt for Madeleine McCann.
It was moored at a Spanish marina three days after Maddie vanished when a woman with an Australian accent asked a man: "Are you here to deliver my new daughter?" The luxury boat - named Willpower - is owned by mega-rich Aussie socialite Rhonda Wyllie.
But the 52-year-old is said to be "devastated" by the news and has vowed to do all she can to help investigators.
There is NO suggestion Rhonda - widow of property tycoon Bill Wyllie - is connected to Maddie's disappearance.
Willpower, which is currently for sale, is a 105ft Sunseeker big enough to sleep six guests and carry four crew.
Last night Rhonda's brother Wayne McGrath said: "I have spoken to my sister and she is absolutely devastated.
"She doesn't know anything about this.
"She does go to Spain - she's been there for the last two or three years. But the only reason she goes is to entertain friends."
Wayne added: "She is happy to co-operate with and help any investigation."
The People has learnt most of the crew who have worked on Willpower in recent years have been Australian.
It's believed investigators want to find out all they can about anyone connected to the yacht to rule them out of the probe.
Records show Willpower was at the Port Olimpic marina in Barcelona when a woman - said to look like Posh Spice Victoria Beckham - approached a British man and asked about the child.
It is believed she had mistaken him for a "courier".
A source close to the worldwide Hunt for Maddie said: "Any information the yacht's owners can give would be very helpful."
Willpower is thought to be in the south of France at present.
Madeleine vanished from a Portuguese apartment in Praia da Luz in May 2007 - just before her fourth birthday.
She was on holiday with mum Kate, dad Gerry and the couple's twins Sean and Amelie, then aged two.
The children were alseep in the flat while their parents dined with friends at a nearby restaurant when Maddie was last seen.
Since then, heart specialist Gerry and GP Kate, of Rothley, Leics, have campaigned tirelessly around the world to find their missing daughter.
A new global appeal was launched in London on Thursday after the possible "Aussie Spice" link came to light.
Kate and Gerry, both 41, have already had more than 600 calls after an E-fit picture of a suspect was released.
Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "There has been an overwhelming response.
"Kate and Gerry are very pleased and grateful to people for making such an effort to help them."
But a woman named as a match for the E-fit claims she has not left Australia for years.
Judith Aron, of Glen Iris, Victoria, said: "I'm 53 years old and I certainly don't look like a Spice Girl.
"I'm totally shocked anybody may have thought I have some connection to the case.
"I have been looking after my sick father and I haven't left the country since 2000."
