Family pleased with investigation into missing girl

LONDON, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- The father of a missing British girl says he is pleased with the investigation so far and hopes new evidence will help "fill in pieces of the jigsaw."

Madeleine McCann, then 3, vanished while vacationing with her family in Portugal in May 2007.

The girl's father, Gerry, said he and his wife Kate were "very pleased with the work of the Metropolitan Police both during the review process and now that they have moved into an investigatory phrase," Sky News reported Monday

"I think that is all that any parent would want when their child is missing," Gerry McCann said. "They've uncovered new evidence and we hope that the appeals that go out next week will lead to further new evidence that helps fill in pieces of the jigsaw and moves at least a step closer to finding Madeleine and those responsible."

Detectives have interviewed 442 people as part of their investigation, including 41 people of interest, including 15 British nationals.

Madeleine's disappearance is scheduled to be the subject on a BBC "Crimewatch" segment next week.

The show will reveal the "latest, most detailed understanding" of the events surrounding Madeleine's disappearance.