McCanns tell of need for ‘closure’ on missing daughter

MADELEINE MCCANN’S parents say it is “essential” they learn the truth of what happened to their daughter ahead of the 15th anniversary of her disappearance.

In a message on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page yesterday, Kate and Gerry McCann wrote although “uncertainty creates weakness”, they need closure on what happened to the toddler at the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007.

The Metropolitan Police, which continues to treat Madeleine’s disappearance as a missing persons inquiry, said it is “committed” to finding the truth 15 years on.

The McCanns’ post read: “This year we mark 15 years since we last saw Madeleine.

“It feels no harder than any other but no easier either.

“It’s a very long time. Many people talk about the need for ‘closure’. It’s always felt a strange term.

“Regardless of outcome, Madeleine will always be our daughter and a truly horrific crime has been committed.”

In July 2013, Scotland Yard launched its own investigation, Operation Grange, into Madeleine’s disappearance

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell from the Metropolitan Police, who leads the operation, said: “Fifteen years on from Madeleine’s disappearance in Praia Da Luz our thoughts, as always, are with her family.

“Officers continue to investigate the case and our dedicated team are still working closely with law enforcement colleagues from the Portuguese Policia Judiciaria as well as the German Bundeskriminalamt.”

It comes after convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner, 44, was declared an official suspect by Portuguese authorities last month, which was welcomed by the couple.