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Brenda Leyland dead: Madeleine McCann parents' 'troll' found dead after TV report Brenda Leyland dead: Madeleine McCann parents' 'troll' found dead after TV report
(about 2 hours later)
A woman alleged to have been an internet troll who abused the parents of Madeleine McCann has been found dead in a Leicestershire hotel.A woman alleged to have been an internet troll who abused the parents of Madeleine McCann has been found dead in a Leicestershire hotel.
Brenda Leyland was believed to have posted abusive messages aimed at Gerry and Kate McCann, whose daughter went missing in Portugal in 2007.Brenda Leyland was believed to have posted abusive messages aimed at Gerry and Kate McCann, whose daughter went missing in Portugal in 2007.
Leicestershire Police were called to a hotel in Smith Way, Grove Park, in Enderby, Leicester, on Saturday. A police spokeswoman said the death was not being treated as suspicious.Leicestershire Police were called to a hotel in Smith Way, Grove Park, in Enderby, Leicester, on Saturday. A police spokeswoman said the death was not being treated as suspicious.
Last week Mrs Leyland was tracked down at her home in Burton Overy, Leicestershire, by Sky News, which reported that she was one of dozens of trolls targeting the McCanns on the internet.Last week Mrs Leyland was tracked down at her home in Burton Overy, Leicestershire, by Sky News, which reported that she was one of dozens of trolls targeting the McCanns on the internet.
On Wednesday the broadcaster’s crime correspondent Martin Brunt confronted the 63-year-old and quizzed her about her online activities, saying Mrs Leyland had posted dozens of messages attacking the family using the Twitter handle @sweepyface.On Wednesday the broadcaster’s crime correspondent Martin Brunt confronted the 63-year-old and quizzed her about her online activities, saying Mrs Leyland had posted dozens of messages attacking the family using the Twitter handle @sweepyface.
Mr Brunt asked Mrs Leyland why she was using her Twitter account to attack the McCanns, who live in Rothley, Leicestershire. “I’m entitled to do that,” Mrs Leyland replied.Mr Brunt asked Mrs Leyland why she was using her Twitter account to attack the McCanns, who live in Rothley, Leicestershire. “I’m entitled to do that,” Mrs Leyland replied.
Kate McCann and Gerry McCann (Getty Images) When Mr Brunt told her that she had been reported to police, she replied: “That’s fair enough.”Kate McCann and Gerry McCann (Getty Images) When Mr Brunt told her that she had been reported to police, she replied: “That’s fair enough.”
Footage of the encounter aired on Thursday and the next day it was reported that Mrs Leyland had left the village.Footage of the encounter aired on Thursday and the next day it was reported that Mrs Leyland had left the village.
A neighbour of Mrs Leyland, who did not want to be named, told the Leicester Mercury newspaper: “Somebody took a photo of her on Thursday afternoon and then she was gone. I haven’t seen her since.”A neighbour of Mrs Leyland, who did not want to be named, told the Leicester Mercury newspaper: “Somebody took a photo of her on Thursday afternoon and then she was gone. I haven’t seen her since.”
Another resident said: “While I wouldn’t condone what Brenda is accused of doing, I am worried for her safety now she has fled.”Another resident said: “While I wouldn’t condone what Brenda is accused of doing, I am worried for her safety now she has fled.”
A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said yesterday: “Police were called at 1.42pm on Saturday to reports of a body of a woman in a hotel room in Smith Way, Grove Park. Officers have attended the scene and a file is being prepared for the coroner. Identification of the deceased is a matter for the coroner. The death is not being treated as suspicious.” A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said on Sunday: “Police were called at 1.42pm on Saturday to reports of a body of a woman in a hotel room in Smith Way, Grove Park. Officers have attended the scene and a file is being prepared for the coroner. Identification of the deceased is a matter for the coroner. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
On Facebook, her son Ben Leyland, who lives in Los Angeles, wrote: “I love you mum and I will miss you forever.”On Facebook, her son Ben Leyland, who lives in Los Angeles, wrote: “I love you mum and I will miss you forever.”
An 80-page dossier containing hundreds of tweets, Facebook posts and messages posted on online forums was handed to the Metropolitan Police by members of the public sickened by the abuse in recent months. Many posts suggested that the McCanns should be tortured and killed. Madeleine’s younger siblings, nine-year-old twins Sean and Amelie, have also been subjected to threats.An 80-page dossier containing hundreds of tweets, Facebook posts and messages posted on online forums was handed to the Metropolitan Police by members of the public sickened by the abuse in recent months. Many posts suggested that the McCanns should be tortured and killed. Madeleine’s younger siblings, nine-year-old twins Sean and Amelie, have also been subjected to threats.