Kate and Gerry McCann skipped a prayer vigil to mark the 17th anniversary of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance. Madeleine, from Rothley in Leicestershire, was just three when she went missing from her family’s holiday apartment in Portugal on 3 May 2007. Kate and Gerry were said to be away at a secret location on a ‘much-needed’ long weekend break.
The prayer vigil was held at the McCanns’ local parish church, which brought together friends and well-wishers. Around 50 attended the informal gathering at Baptist Church in the village of Rothley, Leicestershire.
Rev. Robert Gladstone read out a message from Madeleine’s parents, which said: “We are sorry that we cannot be with you tonight but we thank you for coming together and wanting to share your hope for Madeleine and other missing children. It’s 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us. It’s hard to even say that number without shaking our heads in disbelief.”
The message continued: “Whilst we are fortunate in many ways and able to live a relatively normal and enjoyable life now, the ‘living in limbo’ is still very unsettling. And the absence still aches.”
Kate’s uncle, retired head teacher Brian Kennedy, read a verse at the gathering, poignantly saying: “Each time we hope this annual occasion will be the last. The search for Madeleine continues.”
While the McCanns did not appear, a young Polish woman who falsely claims she is Madeleine showed up.
Julia Wendell, 22, arrived with a letter she wanted to give to the McCanns. After the 45-minute service, she said: “I am Madeleine McCann. I have never stopped believing it and I have come here because I want to ask Kate and Gerry to do a DNA test. They haven’t done one to prove I am not their daughter. No I am not crazy. I am not a liar.”
Ms Wendell started to make the bizarre claims last February. She took a DNA test at the time which proved conclusively that she had no relation to Madeleine.
Meanwhile, the main suspect in Maddie’s disappearance Christian Brueckner is now on trial for unrelated sex offences. German police believe Madeleine is dead and have been intent on charging prime suspect Brueckner with her kidnap and ‘no body’ murder.
British Police have just been granted new funding of nearly £200,000 by the Home Office to maintain their investigation, codenamed Operation Grange.
Scotland Yard’s 13-year inquiry, which officers are still treating as a missing person case, has cost the taxpayer £13.2 million to date.
