Parents’ Worst Nightmare: The Story of Madeleine McCann

Brenda Leyland

Brenda Leyland was a British woman who took it upon herself to try to investigate the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. She also came to the forefront of media attention after her Twitter account was revealed to be among a dossier of people who were regularly tweeting out disparaging and harassing tweets on Kate and Gerry McCann.

While there was apparently no reasoning for a criminal inquest Sky News in England began pushing the topic and even approached Brenda outside of her home about why she was sending out so many tweets. Less than two days later Brenda Leyland committed suicide. Her adult son later said that she had been “totally destroyed” by what happened as she valued her reputation greatly.