Brenda Leyland: Madeleine McCann parents Twitter troll found dead in hotel room

Brenda Leyland, who was accused of targeting internet abuse at the family of Madeleine McCann, has been found dead in a room at Marriott Hotel in Leicester, UK.

Brenda Leyland, 63, 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.

Madeleine McCann disappeared while on holiday In Portugal in 2007.

Brenda 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.”

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.”

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 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.”