18 Years Missing: Madeleine McCann’s Family Releases Poignant Note as Her 22nd Birthday Nears
As the 22nd birthday of Madeleine McCann approaches, her family has released an emotional public message, marking yet another year of uncertainty and heartbreak. Madeleine, who vanished during a family vacation in Praia da Luz, Portugal in May 2007, was just three years old at the time. Now, nearly two decades later, her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, continue to search for answers, holding on to hope amid enduring pain.
The McCanns shared their annual message on the official “Find Madeleine” website and social media pages, accompanied by a photo of Madeleine as a toddler and an updated age-progression image of what she might look like at 22. The note, filled with both sorrow and strength, reads in part:
“As another birthday approaches — the 22nd Madeleine should be celebrating — our hearts ache just as much as they did in 2007. The passage of time does not ease the pain of not knowing where Madeleine is or what happened to her. We still miss her every single day.”
The message continues with a call for public awareness and gratitude to those who have continued to support the search:
“We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support and for all the people who have not forgotten our daughter. Your kindness gives us strength. Hope is what carries us.”
Madeleine’s disappearance became one of the most widely reported missing persons cases in history, sparking global media coverage and multiple investigations across Europe. Despite countless leads, public appeals, and international attention, no conclusive answers have been found.
In recent years, German authorities named Christian Brückner, a convicted sex offender, as a formal suspect in the case. Brückner was living in the Algarve region at the time of Madeleine’s disappearance. While prosecutors have stated they believe Madeleine is dead, her parents remain firm in their belief that there is still hope she may be found alive.
Scotland Yard’s Operation Grange continues to work alongside German and Portuguese authorities, though active developments have slowed. Funding for the investigation has been extended multiple times, reflecting ongoing interest in resolving the case, despite the challenges that come with time.
Kate and Gerry McCann, both doctors from Leicestershire, England, have remained in the public eye as they fight for answers. Over the years, they’ve faced waves of speculation, scrutiny, and emotional upheaval, yet they persist in their efforts to find their daughter and advocate for missing children globally.
As Madeleine’s birthday on May 12 approaches, the family is asking for continued awareness and for anyone with information — no matter how small — to come forward. They continue to mark her birthday privately, surrounded by close family and friends.
“Madeleine is forever in our hearts,” the message concludes. “We love her, we miss her, and we are still searching.”
The McCanns’ enduring resolve serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of unresolved loss — and the unyielding power of hope.
