Madeleine McCann’s Scottish grandmother, who ‘never gave up hope’ her granddaughter would be found, has tragically died of a coronavirus -related illness.
Eileen McCann, 80, died last month just weeks before German police announced the shock news that they believe Madeleine to be dead and are now investigating a new prime suspect.
Eileen, mother to Madeleine’s father Gerry McCann, said after her granddaughter’s disappearance in 2007: “When I lost my husband John two years ago I thought that my world had collapsed. But losing Madeleine is ten times worse.”
The Glasgow gran, a former shop assistant originally from Donegal, Ireland, spent time out in Portugal supporting her son, Kate and Madeleine’s twin siblings Sean and Amelie after Maddie was taken.
She said at the time: “As long as they don’t find her body, I’ll never give up hope. When we do finally get her home she’ll have so much love and hugs from us all.”
Eileen’s wish had been to know her granddaughter’s fate.
It’s understood both Kate and Gerry attended Eileen’s funeral at St Conval’s, East Renfrewshire, where social distancing had to be in place.
The Daily Mail reports that Gerry confirmed his mother’s death but a family spokesman Clarence Mitchell added: ‘The family will definitely not be commenting on a private family matter.’
Last week it was revealed German police, assisted by Scotland Yard, are investigating convicted rapist Christian Brueckner over Madeleine's kidnap and murder.
