Madeleine McCann hunt: Parents hire crack USA team

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Kate and Gerry McCann have hired a team of top US investigators to spearhead the hunt for their missing daughter Madeleine.

The top secret outfit includes former CIA, FBI and American special forces personnel.

 

The Find Madeleine Fund appointed the US operators - who are on a massive ?500,000 six-month contract - earlier this year. They have replaced Metodo 3 as the lead investigators on the case.

The Spanish team will continue to chase leads in the region where Madeleine was taken.

 

A McCann family friend said last night: "It was felt that a truly international firm was now needed to lead the inquiry. These really are the big boys."

Police yesterday said a girl caught on CCTV in Brussels was not Madeleine.

The child's father recognised her and told Belgian cops the North African woman with the girl was her babysitter.