Annie Walton Doyle
Madeleine McCann‘s parents have shared a devastating update on their missing daughter’s 21st birthday.
Since three-year-old Madeleine mysteriously vanished from her holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, 17 years ago, the mystery of her whereabouts has captivated the internet.
The missing girl’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, have committed themselves to the search for their daughter.
Her heartbroken family took to the Finding Madeleine website amid the 17th anniversary of her disappearance and shared a devastating message.
And now, the McCanns have shared a heartbreaking update on what would be Maddie’s 21st birthday…
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Madeleine, from Rothley in Leicestershire, vanished on May 3, 2007.
While on holiday with her parents in Praia da Luz, Portugal, they left the then three-year-old and her younger twin siblings asleep in their apartment while they went to a tapas dinner with friends nearby.
Home Office minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom has confirmed that efforts in the search for Madeleine are ongoing.
He said (per LBC): “For the year 2024-25 the Home Office has agreed to provide up to £192,000 to the Metropolitan Police Service through special grant funding for Operation Grange, the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
“On March 31 2024, the total cost of the investigation was £13.2 million.”
He continued: “Operation Grange’s special grant budget currently funds a team of three police officers and one member of police staff, all of whom operate on a part-time basis.
“Special grant funding is reviewed annually by the Home Office.
“The department also liaises regularly with the Operation Grange investigation team to assess progress and challenge the use of funds as necessary.”
The Independent recently revealed that the private investigator hired by the McCann family is returning to the scene where Madeleine vanished.
Julian Peribañez was part of the original private investigation firm Metodo 3 hired by the McCann family.
He’s now aiming to explore leads that weren’t considered by police in Portugal.
Peribañez is heading back to the family’s holiday apartment in Rua Dr Agostinho da Silva, Praia da Luz, to chase leads and seek answers in the hopes of reinvigorating the investigation.
He tells The Independent: “The problem is that the only way to obtain information, in my opinion, is from certain people that would never speak to the police.
“The kind of person that knows what happened lurks in the underground of every city or town. I’m no one to say what to do to Operation Grange.
“I think it is good each one carries his own investigations. It would be great to be able to share between us, but I know how police forces work and I understand they won’t disclose any information.
“I’m happy to say if I find something relevant I will take that information personally to them.”
In a post on the anniversary of her disappearance on May 3, Kate and Gerry said: “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. Kate and Gerry.”
And now, Maddie’s parents have shared a heartbreaking update in honour of their daughter’s 21st birthday…
The post was shared on the official Find Maddie Campaign Facebook page, on Sunday, May 12.
The image and milestone birthday left followers emotional, with one saying: “Forever hoping and praying that Madeleine will be returned to her loving family… Happy Birthday sweet Madeleine xx.”
Another writes: “This brought tears to my eyes. What a nightmare. I think we’ve all probably been thinking and praying a little more for Maddie and her family today.”
A third adds: “Still in our thoughts, still in our search, still holding you close to us all. Happy 21st x.”
Kate and Gerry revealed they were ‘still looking’ as they acknowledged her milestone 21st.
The couple wrote: “Happy 21st birthday Madeleine. Still missing, still missed, still looking.”
Alongside the message was one of the last images believed to have been taken of Madeleine.
Underneath the caption was the word ‘hope’.
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