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McCann 'Twitter troll' found dead in hotel | McCann 'Twitter troll' found dead in hotel |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A 63-year-old woman who was allegedly part of an internet hate campaign against the family of Madeleine McCann has been found dead in a hotel. | A 63-year-old woman who was allegedly part of an internet hate campaign against the family of Madeleine McCann has been found dead in a hotel. |
Brenda Leyland, from Burton Overy, Leicestershire, was accused of being one of the so-called "trolls" directing abusive messages at the McCanns. | Brenda Leyland, from Burton Overy, Leicestershire, was accused of being one of the so-called "trolls" directing abusive messages at the McCanns. |
Her body was found days after she was confronted outside her home by a Sky News reporter. | Her body was found days after she was confronted outside her home by a Sky News reporter. |
Madeleine McCann disappeared while on holiday In Portugal in 2007. | Madeleine McCann disappeared while on holiday In Portugal in 2007. |
Mrs Leyland was confronted by the reporter who put to her she had posted messages attacking the family on Twitter via the handle @sweepyface. | Mrs Leyland was confronted by the reporter who put to her she had posted messages attacking the family on Twitter via the handle @sweepyface. |
She replied: "I'm entitled to do that." | She replied: "I'm entitled to do that." |
A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: "Police were called at 13:42 on Saturday 4 October to reports of a body of a woman in a hotel room in Smith Way, Grove Park [in Leicester]. | A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: "Police were called at 13:42 on Saturday 4 October to reports of a body of a woman in a hotel room in Smith Way, Grove Park [in Leicester]. |
"Officers have attended the scene and a file is being prepared for the coroner. The death is not being treated as suspicious." | "Officers have attended the scene and a file is being prepared for the coroner. The death is not being treated as suspicious." |
Sky issued a statement saying: "We were saddened to hear of the death of Brenda Leyland. It would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further at this time." | |
A statement released by the Marriott Hotel in Leicester read: "We are very sad to confirm the death of a guest at the Leicester Marriott Hotel and our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the deceased. | A statement released by the Marriott Hotel in Leicester read: "We are very sad to confirm the death of a guest at the Leicester Marriott Hotel and our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the deceased. |
"As this is a police matter and an investigation is under way we are unable to comment further and any queries should be directed at the police." | "As this is a police matter and an investigation is under way we are unable to comment further and any queries should be directed at the police." |
On Friday, Madeleine's father, Gerry McCann, told the BBC: "Clearly something needs to be done about the abuse on the internet. | On Friday, Madeleine's father, Gerry McCann, told the BBC: "Clearly something needs to be done about the abuse on the internet. |
"I think we probably need more people charged." | "I think we probably need more people charged." |
He described how he and his wife Kate, who live in Rothley Leicestershire with their nine-year-old twins, do not read posts about them on the internet because it was too "upsetting". | He described how he and his wife Kate, who live in Rothley Leicestershire with their nine-year-old twins, do not read posts about them on the internet because it was too "upsetting". |
His interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme followed the news that police were reviewing a dossier of abusive messages about the family on social media. | His interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme followed the news that police were reviewing a dossier of abusive messages about the family on social media. |