The parents of Madeleine McCann last night said the painstaking search for their daughter was “like Groundhog Day” as they spent their 15th Christmas without her.
Kate McCann and husband Gerry, both 53, revealed “work and progress” continues into the global hunt for Maddie but with “no significant” developments.
The couple say they had hoped for an outcome into their daughter’s fate by now as German police continue to probe prime suspect Christian Brueckner.
Maddie, three, vanished from her parents’ holiday apartment at the Ocean Club complex in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007.
German prosecutors say they are sure she was abducted and murdered by 45-year-old convicted sex offender Brueckner.
In a message posted on their official website, renowned heart doctor Gerry and GP-turned-medical worker Kate said: “It feels a little bit like Groundhog Day with Covid and its requirement for social distancing and face masks and sadly more suffering for many.”
They added: “We’d all hoped and probably expected things to be quite different by now.
“It’s a little similar in some ways with the investigation to find Madeleine… work and progress continue but with no significant news to share at this stage. Despite this, we couldn’t let the opportunity pass to say a very big ‘Thank you’ once again to all our supporters.
“This is our 15th Christmas without Madeleine and yet we still receive so many kind words of encouragement and support, not to mention the many Christmas cards. Amazing and humbling – thank you so much.”
The couple, who have 16-year-old twins Sean and Amelie, sign off with a ribbon symbol of hope and the words: “Wishing you all an enjoyable and peaceful Christmas. Stay safe and warmest wishes for a brighter 2022. Kate and Gerry.”
Britain’s top police force has vowed to continue searching for Maddie, who would now be 18. Scotland Yard Commissioner Cressida Dick said they will carry on “until there is nothing left to do.”
She said the force is still “working closely” with German and Portuguese authorities as it was revealed new evidence had come to light strengthening the case against Brueckner.
He was named as prime suspect in June 2020 after mobile phone records placed him in the holiday resort on the same night Maddie disappeared.
German police are believed to have sent an undercover investigator into prison to try to force a confession out of him.
However, the attempt failed and Brueckner is now in solitary confinement.
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