British police investigating death threats against Madeleine McCann's family

LONDON, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- London's Metropolitan Police are investigating abusive Internet posts and death threats directed at the family of Madeleine McCann.

The missing British girl's parents were initially considered suspects when the 3-year-old disappeared while on vacation with her family at a Portuguese resort in 2007, but were cleared by Portuguese police in 2008. When McCann's parents became the target of inflammatory press coverage in the U.K. suggesting they were responsible for Madeleine's death, Kate and Gerry McCann successfully sued four newspapers.

Metropolitan Police involved in the search for McCann, known as Operation Grange, are now investigating a document containing 80 abusive and threatening internet posts against the McCanns. The document was assembled by concerned members of the public.

"We can confirm we received a letter and documentation on Sept. 9 which was passed to officers from Operation Grange. They are assessing its contents and consulting with the CPS and the McCann family," a Scotland Yard spokesman said.

According to Sky News, two posts read "I hope that the McCanns are living in total misery" and "I want to see them smashed up the back of a bus or trampled by horses." A third post reportedly said "These 2 [the McCanns] should burn in hell."

Police are coordinating with the U.K.'s Crown Prosecution Service and the McCann family "to find the best way to take this forward."