Maddie was just three years old when she disappeared on this day in 2007 during a family vacation in Portugal.
Madeleine McCann's parents posted a touching message on social media this morning to mark the 17th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance.
Madeleine, from Rossley, Leicestershire, disappeared on May 3, 2007, while on holiday with her parents in Praia da Lux, Portugal, while her three-year-old child and her twin younger siblings were in the apartment Soundly asleep. Dinner with friends nearby.
In an update posted to Looking for Madeleine Kate and Gerry McCann wrote on the website: “It's been 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us. It's hard to even name that number without shaking your head in disbelief. Although in many ways we are Both are lucky enough to live relatively normal and enjoyable lives, but “living in hell” is still very disturbing and the absence is still painful.
“Your support continues to encourage us and strengthen us to keep going. We know that even after all these years, the love and hope for Madeleine and the will to find her remain, and we are truly grateful for that.
“Thank you again for remembering Madeleine and all the missing children.”
The post was accompanied by an image that included a photo of Madeleine at the time of her disappearance.
Madeleine will be 21 years old on the 12th of this month.
Last year, the police investigation into Madeleine's disappearance identified a main suspect, a German citizen named Christian Bruckner.
The 45-year-old is currently in jail for raping a 72-year-old woman in the same area of the Algarve region where Madeleine disappeared, but has not yet been charged with any crime in relation to the disappearance. He has always maintained that he had no involvement.
It was reported last year that Bruckner was said to have visited a reservoir “a few days” after Madeleine's disappearance, which had previously been searched by police.
A former friend reportedly tipped off police, and that tip, combined with photos and videos of Bruckner near the reservoir, influenced investigators to conduct a thorough search of the area.
These searches yielded no new information or leads.
Earlier this week it was confirmed that a further £192,000 had been allocated by the Home Office towards Scotland Yard's investigation into Madeleine's disappearance.
Confirmation of the latest annual funding for Operation Grange was revealed in a written parliamentary reply by Home Office Secretary Lord Sharp, Lord of Epsom.
He also said that as of March this year, the Metropolitan Police had spent 13.2 million pounds investigating this high-profile case.
Related Links:
Breakthrough in Madeleine McCann case, suspect's friend vows to testify
Key witness in Madeleine McCann case reveals horrific footage he found at suspect's home
Christian Bruckner tells friend Madeleine McCann 'didn't scream'
Madeleine McCann: Police received tip-off to search 'two further locations linked to main suspect'
Madeleine McCann prime suspect heads to reservoir days after disappearance
#Maddie #McCann39s #parents #share #heartbreaking #update #17th #anniversary #disappearance
