Kate and Gerry McCann have shared a poignant New Year's message, expressing their heartfelt hope that 2026 will finally deliver a crucial breakthrough in the search for their daughter Madeleine, who vanished nearly two decades ago.
An Emotional Plea for Hope and Support
In a statement posted on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, the couple reflected on the closing year and looked ahead. "As 2025 draws to a close, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us, in whatever way, over the past year and for continuing to hope for positive news of Madeleine," they wrote, according to a Mirror report.
The McCanns extended their gratitude to both the public and police forces for their unwavering support throughout the extensive, ongoing investigation. They concluded their message with a powerful wish: "With our best wishes for a peaceful and positive new year and may 2026 bring us the breakthrough we long for. Kate, Gerry and family."
The Enduring Mystery and a Named Suspect
Madeleine McCann was just three years old when she disappeared from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007. Her parents were dining with friends at a nearby restaurant. The case sparked one of the most high-profile and global missing person investigations in history, which has now spanned almost nineteen years.
Despite thousands of leads being pursued worldwide, her whereabouts remain unknown. In a significant development in 2020, German prosecutors identified Christian Brueckner as a key suspect in her disappearance. Brueckner, a convicted sex offender, was serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for a separate crime at the time he was named.
He was released from prison in September 2025. Authorities confirmed the 49-year-old would be required to wear an electronic monitoring device to track his movements. No formal charges have been brought against him in connection with Madeleine's case.
Recent Searches and Charitable Partnership
The most recent police activity linked to the investigation took place in June 2025. German and Portuguese officials conducted fresh excavations in rural areas connected to the inquiry. After several days of digging and forensic analysis, the operations concluded without any major discoveries being announced.
Alongside their New Year message, the McCanns revealed they have partnered with the Missing People charity to support Safecall. This is a confidential service offering free assistance to young, vulnerable people at risk of criminal or sexual exploitation, or to those who have run away or are considering leaving home or care.
The couple's enduring hope, coupled with continued investigative efforts, keeps the search for Madeleine McCann active as it enters another year.
