Madeleine McCann would be around 17 years old today, if she is alive, and her parents continue to look for her 13 years later.
It is hard to imagine the pain felt by parents whose children have passed away. However, those parents at least receive some closure. Meanwhile, the parents who have no knowledge about their children's whereabouts face a different kind of pain. They continue to seek answers persistently with no assurance that there are answers at the end of the search.
Madeleine McCann, who was a 3-year-old British child when she went missing in 2007, has still not been found. If she is alive somewhere, she is likely around 17 years of age. Investigators across Europe have been looking for the missing girl, and her parents, Kate and Gerry, continue to seek for her too. In the most recent statement, the couple said that they are "determined" to keep looking.
"Despite losing a parent each, we are aware we have been more fortunate than many, with our family unit at home and jobs to go to. Understandably, the investigation to find Madeleine has been forced to slow down as a result of the pandemic. It hasn’t stopped however and the hope, energy, and determination to find her and uncover the truth remain steadfast," said the couple. "We are very grateful for the continued support, especially throughout this 'rubbish' year and for all the Christmas wishes too. Thank you. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has suffered this year. Let’s hope 2021 is a brighter, more positive one," they added.
In December 2020, UK's Scotland Yard said that they were not ending the mission person investigation for Madeleine even though the German prosecutors believe that the girl was murdered. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said the force is working "really, really closely" with the German authorities. However, they don't expect the Germans to share all the evidence in the investigation, as per the Evening Standard.
In June 2020, police revealed that a 43-year-old German prisoner, named by German media as Christian B, was the prime suspect, as per BBC. The McCanns thanked the police, saying, "All we have ever wanted is to find her, uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice. We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive, but whatever the outcome may be, we need to know as we need to find peace."
The German investigators have said that they believe Madeleine passed away soon after she was kidnapped. The Times reported that the prime suspect had boasted he would "document" the abduction of a child. Christian B or Christian Brückner reportedly discussed kidnapping, raping, and killing a girl in a conversation with another pedophile online. He also said he wanted to "catch something little and use it for days." When he was asked about the risk of being caught, he said, "Meh, if the evidence is destroyed . . ." "Then I’ll record maaaany videos/clips. I’ll document in detail how she’s being tortured," he reportedly said.
With that disturbing information about the suspect, the UK's Metropolitan Police had issued an appeal for more information. They said that they have received more than 270 calls and emails since then.
The suspect is expected to be questioned by the German investigators soon. Christian Wolters, who is leading the inquiry in Germany, told the SUN, "When the accused will be questioned depends on further investigation. But he will be questioned."
Kate and Gerry are "baffled" that the suspect, who is in jail, has still not been quizzed. The suspect is at the top security Wolfenbuttel jail near Hanover. He is serving seven years for raping a 72-year-old American woman in Praia da Luz on Portugal’s Algarve coast in 2005, the place where Madeleine was abducted from two years later.
References:
https://www.facebook.com/Official.Find.Madeleine.Campaign/
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/madeleine-mccann-parents-hope-new-year-message-b616782.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-52910472
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/madeleine-mccann-died-soon-after-abduction-s725vpwm0#
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13527613/madeleine-mccann-christian-b-will-be-questioned-by-police/
