I think you guys all bring up great points. Also, hi! I'm new here.
But I think if we go back to the basics of the case, we can agree that there is no evidence whatsoever that there was an intruder/abductor. There is no physical evidence, there are no credible eye witness accounts, and there is no mention from the other McCann children of them hearing or seeing anyone. I think it's easy to think that some kind of organized crime ring is responsible with trained abductors that would steal a child and leave without a trace, but statistically this is unlikely to the point of impossible. A child is more statistically likely to be abducted in public (even if out with mom or dad) then through a home invasion.
As another poster mentioned, children who are trafficked are usually vulnerable already and much easier to kidnap because they will not be looked for as hard (marginalized, poor children, children of addicts etc). For a European crime faction to abduct a child on holiday from her own room would be extremely risky and what would the profit be? If it's a pedophile then there would still be far easier targets. The netflix doc shows how visible the area around the apartment was, there are clear sightlines on all sides in a private resort. That is not an easy target.
Also, the mother's statement is most telling. Why would she assume someone had taken her child? Wouldn’t she assume that Maddie has wandered off or gone missing? If she truly believed right away that she was taken, why would she leave the other children alone in the apartment? Why didn’t they wake up throughout the commotion of her looking in the apartment? And afterwards in the press videos she did not look like someone who was out of their mind with panic and anxiety over not knowing where their child was, she looked like someone who already knew her child was dead and was grieving. I think the overdose theory is most likely. Also, I find it telling that the only other witness to confirm that the children were asleep and alright the night of admitted he never even went into the room. What kind of check system is that? You would at least count heads if no actually go up to each child to make sure they were okay. These are very young children we are talking about who would need diaper changes and maybe late evening snacks or water. What group of 2 and 3 year olds all sleep through the night?
According to the CNN there are an average of 500 children killed every year in the US by their parents, which accounts for 60 percent of child murders. Unless evidence is found that a unknown male or female person was in the apartment in the night in question, I see no reason to deviate from Occam’s razor. The simplest explanation is that Maddie overdosed (or choked due to vomit due to an overdose) and her parents disposed of the body. The how and why of this is more complex but if convicted both would lose their licenses to practice medicine and their remaining children. Also, they were by the sea and near old wells and fields that were unused. As a methodical search of the land was not completed, I don’t think it’s that unusual that she was never found. Many people are never found. To imagine that she was smuggled as part of a rich person adoption scheme is wishful thinking (so that she is still alive and cared for).
While I don’t believe there is some grand conspiracy at play to cover it up in favour of the parents, I do think their actions were telling after the fact and they had PR people on their side always to support the reasonable doubt/ abductor angle. Frankly, I’m surprised they were never charged.
I do find the police investigation to be lacking, because I think they should have performing a more thorough search and should have interviewed every single person and staff of the resort and surrounding area. With that evidence it would be clear if anyone else was involved.
All my opinions obviously, but would love to hear your thoughts