Madeleine McCann's family now: Marriage struggles and heartfelt promise from siblings

Gerry McCann with Amelie and Madeleine (right) on the day she went missing
-Credit: (Image: AFP/Getty Images)


Heartbroken parents Kate and Gerry McCann have now endured 17 years without their beloved daughter, Madeleine.

Madeleine, their eldest child, was just three years old when she vanished from their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007. The McCanns had been dining at a nearby restaurant with friends when they returned to discover that their daughter was missing.

Since that devastating night, Kate and Gerry have campaigned tirelessly to find Maddie, who would now be 20 years old. Today, it was revealed that Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in her disappearance and a convicted paedophile, allegedly confessed to abducting Madeleine, according to a former cellmate.

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Brueckner's ex-cellmate, Laurentiu Codin, testified in court: "He told me that in Portugal, he had been stealing in a wealthy area with hotels. He said there was an open window, and while he was looking for money, he found a child instead. He took the child, and two hours later, there were police and dogs everywhere, so he left the area."

Codin also recounted: "He told me a person was with him, possibly his partner, with whom he had argued. He said he took the child in his car and drove away while the police searched the house."

Brueckner, named the prime suspect in 2020, is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence for raping a woman in Praia da Luz. He is also on trial in Germany for unrelated sex crimes allegedly committed in the Algarve between 2000 and 2017.

Defendant Christian B arrives for a session of his trial at court in Braunschweig, northern Germany, on September 5, 2024. -Credit:Getty Images
Defendant Christian B arrives for a session of his trial at court in Braunschweig, northern Germany, on September 5, 2024. -Credit:Getty Images

His former friend, Helge Busching, tipped off Scotland Yard in 2017, claiming Brueckner had once commented about Madeleine’s abduction, saying, "She didn’t scream."

Back in the UK, Kate and Gerry continue to grapple with the loss of their daughter, reports the Mirror. Since Madeleine’s disappearance, they’ve focused on raising their twins, Amelie and Sean, now 18, while living in Rothley, Leicestershire.

Kate, a devout Catholic, has openly shared how the ordeal tested her faith. In her 2011 book Madeleine, she admitted: "There have been times when I felt God had abandoned me or let Madeleine down. Sometimes I even doubted His existence altogether. But now, my anger towards Him has eased, and I believe that wherever Madeleine is, God is with her."

The couple’s marriage has also endured immense strain over the years. Kate has spoken candidly about how the tragedy affected her intimacy with Gerry, describing how her desire "plummeted to zero" after Madeleine’s disappearance.

In her memoir, she revealed the thought of sex "repulsed" her, as she was haunted by the fear that Madeleine had fallen into the hands of a paedophile. Despite the emotional toll, she credited Gerry’s understanding for helping maintain their 25-year relationship.

The constant emotional weight led Kate, who had trained as a doctor, to quit her job as a GP. However, in 2021, she returned to the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping at local hospitals in Leicester. A friend shared: "Kate’s back working as a doctor, doing her part to help during these difficult times."

Gerry, a cardiologist and professor at the University of Leicester, was also working in the same hospital, though their paths rarely crossed due to their demanding schedules.

Last year, Amelie McCann joined her parents at a memorial marking the 16th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance. At the event, she lit a candle for her missing sister and other missing children. Speaking at the memorial, Amelie said, "It’s nice that everyone is here together, but it’s a sad occasion." She was joined by friends in repeating mantras such as "Never give up" and "Still missing, still missed."

The woman claims there is evidence suggesting she is Madeline
The woman claims there is evidence suggesting she is Madeline -Credit:PA Wire

While Amelie is now preparing for university, the absence of Madeleine continues to cast a shadow over her and Sean’s lives. In an interview, Kate once shared how the twins, though growing up without Madeleine, have always expressed their desire to bring her home.

"Sean once promised, 'When you’re old, Amelie and I will look for Madeleine.' They’ve grown up knowing their sister is missing, and they want her back," Kate said.

Despite their pain, the family stays busy as a way to cope, though the void left by Madeleine’s disappearance is ever-present. "We miss our complete family of five," Kate said. "The urge to find Madeleine has never diminished."

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