McCanns share moving message, a week out from Madeleine’s 18th birthday

It’s hard to believe Monday, May 3, marked 14 years since the disappearance of young Madeleine McCann from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Perhaps even more shocking is that next Wednesday, May 12, is when Madeleine’s family should be celebrating her 18th birthday.

To mark the tragic milestones, Madeleine’s parents, Kate, 53, and Gerry, 53, took to Facebook on Monday to post a heartfelt message. “Every May is tough – a reminder of years passed, of years together lost, or stolen,” they wrote. “This year it is particularly poignant as we should be celebrating Madeleine’s 18th birthday. Enough said.

“Thankfully the investigation to find Madeleine and her abductor has continued. We hang on to the hope, however small, that we will see Madeleine again. As we have said repeatedly, we need to know what has happened to our lovely daughter, no matter what.

“We are very grateful to the police for their continued efforts. We still receive so many positive words and good wishes despite the years that have gone by. It all helps and for that we are truly grateful – thank you.”

The social media post received hundreds of comments, with Facebook user @Justina Byrne writing, “Today is my son’s 18th birthday and every year I think of Madeleine.” While @Jean Payne commented, “My thoughts are with you all as a family, and hope one day you will be reunited with your beautiful daughter.” And @Cheryl Austin said, “Read the book very recently and I hope and prey Madeleine is found and you all get the answers you so need.”

Scotland Yard’s hunt for Madeleine’s abductor continues, with four detectives still working full-time on Operation Grange. According to The Mirror, prosecutors want to further question German paedophile Christian Brueckner over her disappearance.

Brueckner, 44, was named as the prime suspect for Madeleine’s disappearance by German prosecutors last June. His lawyer Friedrich Fulscher insists the German has nothing to do with the youngster’s disappearance.

Brueckner is currently serving a seven-year term in a prison in Germany for raping a 72-year-old American pensioner in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2005, two years before Madeleine went missing.

German prosecutors shocked the world in June last year when they announced that Madeleine is assumed to be dead. In April this year, The Sun newspaper said the prosecutors “remain optimistic” the McCann mystery will ultimately be solved, however.