They marked their daughter’s milestone birthday with a renewed appeal to find her.
The parents of Madeleine McCann have posted a touching statement to mark her 21st birthday, and say they are ‘still looking’ for her.
Kate and Gerry McCann have been trying to find their missing daughter Maddie since May 3, 2007, when she vanished from their apartment while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, on the southern coast of Portugal.
Madeleine was three-years-old at the time of her disappearance, and this morning her parents wished her a happy 21st birthday on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page.
In the heartbreaking message, which featured an image of a smiling Maddie, they wrote: “Happy 21st birthday Madeleine.
“Still missing. Still missed. Still looking.”
Madeleine would be turning 21-years-old today.
Thousands of people responded to the new post, wishing her a happy birthday.
“Forever hoping and praying that Madeleine will be returned to her loving family … Happy Birthday sweet Madeleine xx”, one comment read.
In the past year, the police investigation into Madeleines disappearance has honed in on one primary suspect, a German national by the name of Christian Bruckner.
The 45-year-old is currently in prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in the same area of the Algarve region where Madeleine went missing but has not been charged with any crime related to the disappearance. He has always maintained that he was not involved.
According to reports last year, Bruckner is said to have visited a reservoir that had previously been searched by police “some days” after Madeleine went missing.
A former friend of his is said to have informed police, and the tip-off tallied up with photos and videos of Bruckner near the reservoir and influenced investigators to carry out thorough searches of the area.
Those searches produced no new information or leads.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that up to a further £192,000 has been granted by the Home Office for the Scotland Yard investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance.
The confirmation of the latest annual funding for Operation Grange was revealed in a parliamentary written answer by Home Office minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom.
He also said that as of March this year, the Metropolitan Police had spent £13.2 million investigating the high-profile case.
Earlier this month, in an update posted to the Find Madeleine website, Kate and Gerry McCann marked the 17th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance.
They wrote: “It’s 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us. It’s hard to even say that number without shaking our heads in disbelief. 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.
“Your support continues to encourage us and bolsters our strength to keep going. 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.”
Related Links:
Breakthrough in Madeleine McCann case as suspect’s friend vows to testify
Key witness in Madeleine McCann case reveals gruesome footage he found in suspect’s home
Christian Brueckner told friend Madeleine McCann ‘didn’t scream’
Madeleine McCann: Police receive tip to search ‘two more spots linked to main suspect’
Madeleine McCann main suspect went to reservoir days after she disappeared
