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. [[facebookwidget||https://www.facebook.com/Official.Find.Madeleine.Campaign/posts/10159094481864931]] 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." <img class="size-large wp-image-1263105802" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/05/2CKAPNK-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: REUTERS / Alamy]] 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." <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/14837775/madeleine-mccann-cops-new-info-christian-b-suspect/">The Sun</a> 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: <img class="wp-image-1263105777" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/05/Madeline-1.jpg" alt="Kate and Gerry McCann." width="642" height="524" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Alamy / Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix]] "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. <h6>Featured image credit: Alamy / PA Images</h6>

Madeleine McCann's parents say they 'live in hope' ahead of 18th birthday

Top Stories

News

Man dips finger in Yellowstone hot spring, accidentally falls in and dissolves within a day

News

Man who died after fight at football game once saved a young girl from drowning

News

James Bulger's killer Jon Venables granted parole hearing

News

Tourist plummets 300 feet to his death after slipping off terrifying 130-foot ladder bridge

News

Alleged 'alien corpses' found to have 'no relation to human beings' after scientists conclude tests

News

Patriots fan dies after allegedly being 'punched in the face' by Dolphins fan during football game