Madeleine McCann’s parent’s ‘need for answers’ 15 years on
Madeleine McCann’s parents have called for “answers” and “truth” fifteen years since their daughter’s disappearance.
In a post on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, Kate and Gerry McCann said it is imperative they find out what happened to their “beloved daughter”.
“This year we mark fifteen years since we last saw Madeleine. It feels no harder than any other but no easier either. It’s a very long time,” the post read.
“Many people talk about the need for ‘closure’. It’s always felt a strange term. Regardless of outcome, Madeleine will always be our daughter and a truly horrific crime has been committed. These things will remain.
“It is true though that uncertainty creates weakness; knowledge and certainty give strength, and for this reason our need for answers, for the truth, is essential.”
The post comes as Portuguese prosecutors from the Faro Department of Criminal Investigation and Prosecution (DIAP) announced a new suspect in the missing girls‘ case on April 21.
“As part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in 2007, a person was made an arguido (person of interest) on Wednesday,” the statement said.
“The person was made an arguido by the German authorities in execution of a request for international judicial cooperation issued by the Public Ministry of Portugal.
“The investigation has been carried out with the cooperation of the English and German authorities.”
The McCanns issued a statement in regards to the announcement, saying they hadn’t “given up hope that Madeleine is still alive”.
“We welcome the news that the Portuguese authorities have declared a German man an “arguido” in relation to the disappearance of our beloved daughter Madeleine. This reflects progress in the investigation, being conducted by the Portuguese, German and British authorities. We are kept informed of developments by the Metropolitan police,” the statement said.
“It is important to note the “arguido” has not yet been charged with any specific crime related to Madeleine’s disappearance. Even though the possibility may be slim, we have not given up hope that Madeleine is still alive and we will be reunited with her.”
The announcement is the first major breakthrough in the case since Madeleine went missing from her bed at a resort while holidaying with her parents in Portugal on May 3, 2007. The case of the then three year old’s disappearance attracted considerable global attention. Despite a long running investigation, Madeleine’s whereabouts remain unknown to this day.
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