As the 14th anniversary of their daughter’s disappearance approached in 2021, Gerry and Kate McCann posted on the Find Madeleine website, the couple having never joined social media, “Every May is tough—a reminder of years passed, of years together lost, or stolen. It is especially poignant this year, as Madeleine turns 18 years old. That’s enough.

A Met spokesperson confirmed to CelebHomes News last June that the McCann case remained open but they were unable to comment further about their active investigation—and it remained a missing-person inquiry. Clarence Mitchell, the McCanns’ longtime spokesman, didn’t respond to interview requests at the time.

Months later, on April 21, the Prosecutors Office in Faro, Portugal, said they had an official suspect, not releasing a name but saying they were acting on a request from German authorities and in coordination with English investigators.

The next day, on the website devoted to finding their eldest child, the McCanns—whose twins are now 16 years old—wrote, “We welcome the news that the Portuguese authorities have declared a German man an ‘arguido’ in relation to the disappearance of our beloved daughter Madeleine. The British, German, and Portuguese authorities are making progress on the investigation. The Metropolitan police keeps us informed about any developments.

It is worth noting that the “arguido” has yet to be charged for any crime related to Madeleine’s disappearance. Although the chances of Madeleine being alive are slim, it is not impossible to believe that she will still be with us.

(Original publication June 19, 2021 at 3:00 a.m. PST)