The parents of missing child Madeleine McCann have issued a heartbreaking message on the 17th anniversary of her disappearance.

Madeleine was just three years old when she vanished from her bed in a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Lagos, Portugal, on the evening of May 3, 2007.

Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, had left Madeleine and her twin siblings asleep in the ground floor apartment at around 8.30PM while they dined with friends at a restaurant just 55 meters (180 feet) away, but found she was missing when they checked on the children at 10PM.

A massive search began and Madeleine's case became one of the most-reported missing child incidents worldwide, however, her whereabouts remain a mystery to this day, and nobody has yet been found guilty of her abduction.

Kate and Gerry marked the 17th anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance on social media, sharing a photo of the child as well as a heartbreaking message.

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."

The couple also thanked the public for their support over the years, adding: "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."

Madeleine's disappearance made headlines around the world, and is one of the most-publicised missing persons cases ever, with several documentaries having been made about the search.

Over £13 million ($16.3 million) has been spent on investigating her disappearance, with it recently being revealed that the Home Office had granted a further £192,000 ($241,000) to continue the search.

Nobody has yet been found guilty of abducting Madeleine, who would now be 20 years old, despite so much resource being put into the extensive search.

Christian Brueckner, a convicted pedophile from Germany, was named the prime suspect in her disappearance in 2020.

He is accused of a string of sex offenses unrelated to Madeleine's case, but denies any involvement in the toddler's disappearance.

According to Detective Constable Mark Draycott, who was giving evidence in Brueckner's trial, the case was "blown open" by a voicemail left for police by a former friend of the sex offender.

DC Draycott revealed that Brueckner's former friend, Helge Busching, tipped police off in 2017 by leaving a message on an answering machine.

He explained: "Back then we still had a public phone number which was publicized around the world.

"Members of the public were able to ring in with any information related to Operation Grance – the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance.

“One of my jobs was to check the answer phone messages. On May 18th I checked the answer phone and there was a message.

“It was from a male by the sound of his voice, he spoke good English and he asked to speak to David Edgar (private investigator). He said he had information and he left a Greek mobile number.

"I then rang this Greek mobile number and spoke to a male I now know to be Helge Lars Busching. He referred to himself as Lars and he gave information in relation to the Madeleine McCann investigation.”

German prosecutors claimed in 2020 that they had "concrete evidence" that Brueckner had killed Madeleine, however, formal charges still have not been brought due to issues over Brueckner's last address in Germany leading to confusion over which court would be responsible for the case.

He has previously been convicted of unrelated counts of child sexual abuse and drug trafficking and has been serving a prison sentence in Germany since 2019 for raping a 72-year-old American pensioner in the Algarve region.

He is also accused of five unrelated sexual offenses committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017, and was given arguido (suspect) status by Portuguese authorities in 2022, meaning he could be extradited to the country for formal questioning.

Brueckner is believed to have been living in a camper van in the Algarve region at the time of Madeleine's disappearance.

A British woman, who had been dating Brueckner at the time, reported that the night before the abduction, he'd told her: "I have a job to do in Praia da Luz tomorrow. It's a horrible job but it's something I have to do and it will change my life. You won't be seeing me for a while."

His car, a Jaguar XJR6, was also registered to a new owner the day after Madeleine disappeared.

It was also revealed in 2022 that cell phone data had placed Brueckner no more than "five minutes away" from Madeleine's location at the time of her disappearance.

Featured image credit: Miguel Villagran/Getty Images

Madeleine McCann's younger sister has spoken out for the first time on the 16th anniversary of her disappearance.

On May 3, 2007, three-year-old Madeleine mysteriously vanished from a vacation apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while her parents - Kate and Gerry McCann - were at a nearby restaurant.

The case gripped the world, with Portuguese and British authorities setting up expansive search parties and several appeals in the following years. However, there has been no trace of her whereabouts.

Now, more than a decade and a half later, her 18-year-old sister Amelie along with her parents were joined by locals at a candle service in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire.

As reported by The Telegraph, Amelie shared an emotional statement, saying: "It’s nice that everyone is here together but it’s a sad occasion." Her twin brother Sean did not attend.

It is the first time the teenager - who is applying for university - has been pictured in public as an adult. She was joined by her friend Georgina. The pair knelt down to read messages written for Amelie's older sister and also lit a candle in her honor.

According to the publication, the parents joined in prayers but did not address the crowds. However, their friend Fiona Payne read out a poem.

The couple's friend read the 1891 ode Hope is the Thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson and later shared a warm embrace with Kate, per The Mirror.

The mother's uncle, 84-year-old Brian Kennedy, remarked after the poignant event: "Kate and Gerry are very moved by the size of the group of people who turned up. After all these years people still assemble – some come every time and some are new and we are very grateful."

He also addressed supporters during the heartbreaking vigil and said: "Sixteen years without someone and still not knowing where they are is a very long time. Even if it was bad news, in some ways, would give us some closure. But with no closure, there is still hope."

In addition to this, the Rev Rob Gladstone - who led prayers at the informal outdoor - told the congregation: "We are here this evening to show our loving concern for Madeleine and for all young children who have been taken away from their families against their will."

"We are also here to encourage one another to keep up hope and pray for a renewal of strength even after this long time," he added.

The vigil comes after Madeleine's parents issued a statement yesterday (May 3) to mark the 16th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance.

The statement was released on the official Find Madeleine Campaign website and read: "Today marks the 16th anniversary of Madeleine’s abduction. Still missing… still very much missed. It is hard to find the words to convey how we feel. The police investigation continues, and we await a breakthrough. Thank you to everyone for your support – it really helps."

The couple also shared a poem titled The Contradiction, written by Clare Pollard, which they said strongly resonated with them.

Part of the verse reads: "The absence contradicts itself: the missing conjures what we miss." "I cannot hold you, yet I do: please let me hold you in my head and where you are now, hold me too."

Furthermore, Maddie's name has been circulating in news reports in recent months after a young Polish woman named Julia Wendell claimed she could be the missing toddler. However, it was confirmed following a DNA test that Wendell is not Kate and Gerry's daughter.

Featured image credit: PA Images / Alamy S

Madeleine McCann's parents have said they "live in hope" ahead of her 18th birthday.

On May 3, 2007, three-year-old Madeleine disappeared from the family's vacation home in Praia da Luz, Portugal.

May 12, 2021, marks her 18th birthday.

Madeline's parents, Kate and Gerry, took to social media ahead of the event to share their continued hope that their daughter will one day be found.

On the Find Madeleine ­website and its Facebook page, they wrote: "This year it is ­particularly poignant as we should be ­celebrating Made­leine's 18th birthday. ­Enough said.

"As we have said repeatedly, we need to know what has ­happened to our lovely daughter, no matter what. We are very grateful to the police for their continued efforts.

"We hang on to the hope, however small, that we will see Madeleine again."

The couple continued: "We still receive so many positive words and good wishes despite the years that have gone by. It all helps and for that we are truly grateful - thank you."

Alongside the post, the couple shared a picture of their daughter along with the words: "Thank you for not giving up on Madeleine."

The Sun reports that the couple has recently received "significant" new information on the prime suspect in the case, convicted German pedophile, Christian B, 43.

The information concerns Christian's life in Germany and the Algarve in the late 1990s and early 2000s, a source close to the couple told the publication.

Kate and Gerry are pictured below in Rabat, Morocco, amid the hunt for their daughter:

"The police believe this new information could prove significant in shaping the future direction of the probe and will be looking to liaise with colleagues in the Algarve over it," the source continued.

"The police remain convinced someone, somewhere knows more about this man and his links to Maddie. They implore them to come forward."

Christian B is currently serving a seven-year sentence for the rape of an American woman in Praia da Luz in 2005.

German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters said that he is "hopeful" that he will be charged over Madeline's disappearance.

Featured image credit: Alamy / PA Images

Kate and Gerry McCann have marked the 15th anniversary of Madeleine McCann's disappearance by releasing a statement.

Madeleine was three years old when she vanished from her family's rented vacation apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal on May 3, 2007, as her parents were having dinner with friends nearby.

Despite the extensive search operation put in place to find the then-toddler, she has never been found.

In a poignant message on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, Kate and Gerry McCann wrote on Monday, May 2: "This year we mark fifteen years since we last saw Madeleine. It feels no harder than any other but no easier either. It’s a very long time. Many people talk about the need for ‘closure’.

"It’s always felt a strange term. Regardless of outcome, Madeleine will always be our daughter and a truly horrific crime has been committed. These things will remain. It is true though that uncertainty creates weakness; knowledge and certainty give strength, and for this reason our need for answers, for the truth, is essential.

"We are grateful for the ongoing work and commitment of the UK, Portuguese and German authorities as it is this combined police effort which will yield results and bring us those answers.

"As always, we would like to thank all of our supporters for their continued good wishes and support. It is a huge comfort to know that regardless of time passed, Madeleine is still in people’s hearts and minds. Thank you. Kate & Gerry."

Last month, convicted rapist Christian B was declared by Portuguese police to be an official suspect in Madeleine's abduction, BBC News reported.

Christian B is in prison in Germany after being found guilty of raping a 72-year-old woman in 2005 in Praia da Luz - the same town where Madeleine went missing in 2007.

While Christian B has been informed he is deemed an "arguido" - a formal suspect - he has not been charged in the case. This is most likely due to the fact that prosecuting serious crimes is usually ruled out after 15 years in Portugal.

Christian B had traveled between Praia da Luz and Germany in a VW camper van for a number of years before Madeleine disappeared.

The new suspect, who is in his 40s, allegedly confessed to abducting Madeleine in a German bar on the 10th anniversary of her disappearance.

Featured image credit: James Boardman Archive / Alamy

Madeleine McCann's parents have shared a heartbreaking message in honor of their missing daughter's 21st birthday.

Madeleine was just three years old when she suddenly went missing while the family was on vacation in Praia da Luz, Portugal in 2007. At the time, her parents - Kate and Gerry McCann - were eating at a restaurant nearby.

The story made global headlines with authorities in both the UK and Portugal rallying to find the missing toddler.

The British and Portuguese authorities invested millions into trying to come to a positive conclusion - but sadly, 17 years on, the case has not been solved and Madeleine still remains missing.

Credit: Handout/Getty

On May 12, Kate and Gerry McCann released a statement marking their daughter's 21st birthday.

In a heartbreaking statement shared to their official campaign to find her, they wrote: "Happy 21st birthday Madeleine", adding: "Still missing. Still missed. Still looking."

Hundreds of people gathered in the comment section to leave their well wishes too.

"So sad. She should be here celebrating with her friends and family. I hope that wherever she is she is found one day," wrote one person, while another added: "Happy 21st birthday!! We love you so much, sweetheart. We're still looking for you, never losing hope. Lights will guide you home."

Credit: Miguel Villagran/Getty

It comes shortly after the pair released yet another heartbreaking statement on the 17th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance.

"It’s 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us. It’s hard to even say that number without shaking our heads in disbelief," they wrote via their official social media pages. "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."

The couple also thanked the public for their support over the years, adding: "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," they concluded.

While no one has been fully convicted for Madeleine's disappearance, there is one major suspect in the case.

Christian Brueckner, a convicted pedophile from Germany, was named the prime suspect in her disappearance back in 2020.

He has previously been convicted of unrelated counts of child sexual abuse and drug trafficking and has been serving a prison sentence in Germany since 2019 for raping a 72-year-old American pensioner in the Algarve region.

Credit: Carabinieri Milano/Getty

He is also accused of five unrelated sexual offenses committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017, and was given arguido (suspect) status by Portuguese authorities in 2022, meaning he could be extradited to the country for formal questioning.

However, he denies being involved in Madeleine's disappearance, and due to a technical issue involving Brueckner's last address in Germany, there has been some confusion over which court would be responsible for the case.

Featured Image Credit: Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage/Getty