Madeleine McCann’s parents said their daughter’s absence “hurts” and that they are still “living in limbo” 17 years after her disappearance.
In one of the most notorious missing persons cases in British history, madeleine He disappeared while on vacation with his family in Portugal’s Algarve in 2007.
Gerry and Kate McCann had left Madeleine in bed with her twin brothers while they dined with friends at a nearby restaurant in Praia da Luz when the three-year-old disappeared on May 3.
In a message posted on the official Find Madeleine website, the McCanns, from Rothley in Leicestershire, said: “It has been 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us.
“It’s hard to even say that number without shaking your head in disbelief.”
Earlier this week it emerged that the Home Office had given Scotland Yard additional funding of £192,000 for the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance.
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It was also confirmed that as of March of this year, the metropolitan police had spent £13.2 million investigating the high-profile case.
“Although we are fortunate in many ways and can live a relatively normal and pleasant life now, ‘living in limbo’ is still very unsettling. And the absence still hurts,” the McCanns said.
The couple added: “Your support continues to encourage us and strengthens our strength to move forward.
“We know that the love and hope for Madeleine and the will to find her, even after so many years, persist, and we are truly grateful for that.
“Thank you again for remembering Madeleine and all the missing children.”
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The main suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance is currently on trial in Germany accused of unrelated sexual crimes, allegedly committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.
Christian B in court. Photo: Reuters
The 47-year-old German, known only as Christian B due to the country’s strict privacy laws, spent many years in Portugal, including in Praia da Luz, around the time of Madeleine’s disappearance.
He had denied all charges against him and any involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance.