The couple vow they will ‘never give up’ their search in an emotional new statement on the 19th anniversary of her disappearance
Kate and Gerry McCann have issued a new statement on the 19th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance(Image: PA)
The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have spoken of their need to find “justice” on the 19th anniversary of her disappearance.
In an emotional new message on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, Kate and Gerry McCann vowed they would “never give up” in the search for their daughter.
Madeleine vanished aged three years old from a holiday flat in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007. She would now be 22 years old.
Despite years of investigations by police in the UK and across Europe, no trace of her has ever been found, and no-one has ever been convicted or charged in connection with her disappearance.
Madeleine McCann disappeared in Praia da Luz, Portugal on May 3, 2007(Image: METROPOLITAN POLICE/AFP via Gett)
The new statement from the McCann family reads: “19 years. The search goes on.. to find our Madeleine, to achieve some justice, to make the world that bit safer.
“We remain very grateful for all our support from friends and family, people we know and those we don’t – and from the police and authorities for their continued determination and effort. Thank you.
“For Madeleine, who we love and miss every day, we will never give up.”
The message is signed: “Kate, Gerry and family.”
Hundreds of people have responded with comments hoping she is found safe and well and offering messages of support to the family.
Prime suspect and convicted rapist Christian Brueckner was released after serving a prison sentence in his native Germany last September.
He has never been charged with any crimes in connection with Madeleine.
In March, it was announced more funding had been granted to continue to investigate the disappearance.
A total of £86,000 has been granted for Operation Grange for 2026/27, a drop from £108,000 in the previous year.
Christian Brueckner was identified as a prime suspect by prosecutors in Germany but has never been charged(Image: Phil Harris)
It brings the total cost of the missing persons inquiry to around £13.3 million since it was launched 15 years ago in 2011.
Operation Grange consists of three police officers and one member of police staff who work on a part-time basis.
In 2024, one member of the team DC Mark Draycott, testified at Brueckner’s trial and said he had taken a call from a man called Helge Busching who had named Brueckner as a suspect in the Maddie case.
Brueckner was released from prison in Germany last September after serving a sentence for an unrelated 2005 rape. Prosecutors said there was “no prospect of an indictment” over the Madeleine McCann case without stronger evidence.
