The case of Madeleine McCann, who vanished 17 years ago, remains one of the most widely known missing person cases in modern history.
In the years since her disappearance, her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, have continued to fight for answers, holding onto hope and navigating the passage of time with resilience.
This May marked what would have been Madeleine’s 21st birthday, and the McCanns shared a moving message on the Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page.
Their words reflected the pain and profound loss they have carried over the years, a heartache that remains ever-present.
Madeleine, then just three years old, disappeared on May 3, 2007, while the family was on vacation in Praia da Luz, Portugal.
Kate and Gerry had left her and her siblings sleeping in their apartment while they dined at a nearby restaurant.
The search for Madeleine has persisted, with British authorities allocating additional resources to support the ongoing investigation.
According to Home Office minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom, Scotland Yard’s Operation Grange—dedicated to the search for Madeleine—received a funding boost of £192,000 for 2024-25.
This funding brings the total cost of the investigation to £13.2 million as of March 2024 and continues to support a team actively investigating her case.
Kate and Gerry recently reflected on this passage of time, posting, “It’s 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us. It’s hard to even say that number without shaking our heads in disbelief.”
Their message continued, “Whilst we are fortunate in many ways and able to live a relatively normal and enjoyable life now, the ‘living in limbo’ is still very unsettling. And the absence still aches.”
Their message also acknowledged the outpouring of public support, which they say has bolstered their strength through the years.
“Your support continues to encourage us and bolsters our strength to keep going,” they expressed.
“We know the love and hope for Madeleine and the will to find her, even after so many years, remains, and we are truly thankful for that. Thank you again for remembering Madeleine and all missing children.”
Meanwhile, Christian Brueckner, a convicted German criminal and the main suspect in Madeleine’s case, remains uncharged in connection with her disappearance.
He is currently serving a seven-year sentence for an unrelated crime committed in Portugal, but he has denied any involvement in Madeleine’s case.
Madeleine’s 21st birthday was marked by a prayer vigil at a local parish church, though Kate and Gerry were not in attendance.
Julia Wendell, a 22-year-old woman who had publicly speculated in 2023 that she could be Madeleine due to similar physical traits, reportedly traveled from Poland to attend the vigil.
However, DNA tests later confirmed her identity as unrelated to the McCann family, revealing her Polish and Eastern European heritage.
As Kate and Gerry McCann continued to search for answers, they left a touching final note, expressing their unyielding hope.
“Happy 21st birthday Madeleine. Still missing, still missed, still looking.”
Featured Image Credit: (Alamy)
