The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have released a powerful new statement to mark 18 years since their daughter vanished.
Kate and Gerry McCann said they will never give up hope and continue to believe their child is “right here with us every day”, despite no positive sightings since she disappeared on May 3, 2007.
‘No matter how near or far she is’
In a moving update posted on the official Find Madeleine Facebook page on the eve of the grim anniversary, the couple thanked supporters for sticking by them.
They said: “No matter how near or far she is, Madeleine continues to be right here with us, every day — but especially on her special day.”
Madeleine, who would turn 22 this month, vanished from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while her parents were dining nearby. Despite countless investigations across the UK, Portugal and beyond, nobody has ever been charged over her disappearance.
Fresh pain as milestone birthday approaches
For the McCanns, the month of May is doubly hard. Not only does it mark the date Madeleine was taken, it is also when they should be celebrating her birthday.
The couple said they still “celebrate” Madeleine’s life and the young woman she would have become, even in her absence.
They added: “The years appear to be passing even more quickly and, while we have no significant news to share, our determination to leave no stone unturned is unwavering.
“We continue to celebrate her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her.”
Prime suspect still denies involvement
The case remains open and active. Convicted rapist Christian Brueckner, 48, remains the prime suspect. He was living in the area at the time Madeleine vanished and has long denied involvement in her disappearance.
Brueckner was recently cleared of unrelated sex offences dating back to between 2000 and 2017. He remains in prison in Germany for the rape of an elderly woman in Praia da Luz in 2005.
Despite his denials, German prosecutors say their investigation into Madeleine’s case remains ongoing.
Scotland Yard investigation still live after £13m spent
Operation Grange, the UK’s dedicated investigation into the case, has now cost more than £13.2 million since it was launched in 2011.
Just last month, ministers approved up to £108,000 in new funding for the probe for 2025/26.
A small team made up of one Detective Chief Inspector, one Detective Constable and a member of police staff continue to work on the inquiry.
DCI Mark Cranwell said: “We continue to support Madeleine’s family to understand what happened on the evening of May 3, 2007. Our thoughts remain with them.”
Still missing – and still remembered
As International Missing Children’s Day also falls in May, the McCanns used their statement to highlight the plight of other missing youngsters and families suffering worldwide.
They said: “We continue to remember all missing children and their families, both here in the UK and abroad — thinking especially of all the children displaced from their homes in Ukraine and Gaza at this time.”
Madeleine McCann was just three years old when she was taken. Her face and story became one of the world’s most high-profile missing person cases, yet her whereabouts remain a mystery.
Police and the family continue to appeal for information. Anyone who knows what happened to Madeleine is urged to contact the authorities.
