'It's 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us - the absence still aches': ... trends now
Seventeen years since her shock disappearance in 2007, Madeleine McCann's parents shared a poignant message with supporters on Thursday, describing how the 'absence still aches' and thanking followers for their steadfast encouragement.
'It's 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us,' a social media post from Kate and Gerry McCann read. 'It's hard to even say that number without shaking our heads in disbelief.'
'Whilst we are fortunate in many ways and able to live a relatively normal and enjoyable life now, the 'living in limbo' is still very unsettling. And the absence still aches.
'Your support continues to encourage us and bolsters our strength to keep going. We know the love and hope for Madeleine and the will to find her, even after so many years, remains, and we are truly thankful for that.
'Thank you again for remembering Madeleine and all missing children.'
Earlier this week, the Home Office committed an additional £192,000 towards Scotland Yard's investigation into the disappearance, with police from across Europe still fighting to find out what happened to young Madeleine.
Madeleine McCann disappeared aged three from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal
Kate and Gerry McCann pictured together during an interview with the BBC in April 2017
The month of May marks both the anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance and her birthday month, the young girl turning 21 on May 12.
In the years since her 2007 disappearance, international search efforts have been supported by a distinct fund set up to help the family and ensure Madeleine's safe return home.
The family have continued to share periodic updates on the findmadeleine.com website and gather annually to mark Madeleine's birthday.
Earlier this month, the Home Office also provided the Met with an additional £192,000 to help in their investigation this year, bringing the total to £13.2mn spent since Madeleine's disappearance.
German police are currently probing prime suspect Christian Brueckner, 47, in a separate case in Germany, where he is accused of raping a woman in Praia da Rocha in 2004, and abusing a teenage girl and a woman aged
