Kate and Gerry McCann were absent from a prayer vigil commemorating Madeleine McCann’s 17th disappearance anniversary.
Instead, they were reportedly taking a much-needed break at an undisclosed location, as shared by a family member.
The local parish vicar, Rev. Robert Gladstone, conveyed a message from the absent well-wishers to the gathered people at Rothley’s parish church in Leicestershire.
Expressing gratitude for the attendees’ support, the message from Kate and Gerry reflected on the disbelief of 17 years passing since Madeleine’s abduction.
Despite leading relatively everyday lives, they acknowledged the ongoing emotional toll of her absence and the unsettling feeling of living in limbo.
Among the attendees was Julia Wendell, 22, who has garnered international attention as the ‘Maddie faker.’
Accompanied by a friend, she attended the vigil clutching a letter she intended to deliver to Kate and Gerry.
Julia, who claims to be Madeleine McCann, reiterated her belief and appealed to Kate and Gerry to undergo a DNA test, insisting they haven’t taken steps to disprove her claim.
Addressing the media after the service, Julia reaffirmed her identity as Madeleine McCann, rejecting any suggestion of falsehood or insanity. Meanwhile, recent developments in the ongoing investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance have seen additional funding allocated by the Home Office for Operation Grange, the Scotland Yard investigation.
Confirmation of the latest funding, amounting to £192,000, was disclosed in a parliamentary written answer by Home Office minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom. This brings the total expenditure by the Metropolitan Police on the case to £13.2 million as of March this year. The primary suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance, a 47-year-old German known as Christian B, is currently on trial in Germany for unrelated sex offences.
Christian B, who spent significant time in Portugal, including Praia da Luz, around the time of Madeleine’s disappearance, is serving a seven-year prison sentence for the rape of an older woman in 2005. Despite being named the prime suspect, he denies involvement in Madeleine’s case and all charges against him.
German prosecutors stated last year that they were unable to establish a link between items seized during fresh searches and Madeleine’s disappearance. These searches, conducted in May 2023, focused on the Barragem do Arade area of the Algarve, approximately 30 miles from where Madeleine vanished.
The ongoing trial of Christian B has reignited public interest in Madeleine’s case, prompting renewed scrutiny and speculation. Despite the passage of time, the search for answers continues, fueled by the unwavering determination of investigators and the enduring hope of Madeleine’s family and supporters.
As the investigation enters its 18th year, the global community remains united in its commitment to finding answers and bringing closure to the McCann family. Each new development serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of Madeleine’s disappearance and the importance of never giving up on the search for truth and justice.
