Madeleine McCann has never been found. Disappeared 17 years ago when she was only 3 years old, the disappearance of the little girl continues to intrigue and raise questions. A ceremony took place on May 3 in Rothley, his native village, to mark this sad anniversary. But this year, Madeleine’s parents were absentraising many questions, explains The Mirror.
A message from Kate and Gerry McCann was read during the ceremony by Reverend Robert Gladstone, vicar of the local parish church. They expressed their “regret not being able to be present“and thanked the people who came”share their hope for Madeleine and the other missing children“. They also mentioned the “life in limbo” always too “destabilizing” And “the always painful absence“.
“A well-deserved long weekend of rest”
The absence of Kate and Gerry McCann did not go unnoticed. A member of their family revealed thatthey were in a secret placet for a “long weekend of well-deserved restThe local parish vicar, Rev Robert Gladstone, read a message from them at the ceremony.
“Good evening, we are sorry that we cannot be with you this evening, but we thank you for coming together and wanting to share your hope for Madeleine and the other missing children. It’s been 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us. It’s hard to say this number without shaking your head in disbelief“, they wrote through the vicar’s voice.
Julia Wandelt, the “fake Maddie”, creates uneasiness
If the absence of the McCanns aroused criticism, another event disrupted the ceremony. A young Polish woman, Julia Wandelt, introduced herself as Madeleine McCann. Already known as “the fake Maddie” for making similar statements on social media last year, she came with a letter to the McCann parents.
“I’m Madeleine McCann. I never stopped believing him and I came here because I want to ask Kate and Gerry to take a DNA test. They didn’t do one to prove I’m not their daughter“, she declared at the end of the ceremony. Madeleine’s relatives tried to calm Julia Wandelt, assuring her thata DNA test had already been carried out and it proved indisputably that she was not Madeleine. Julia Wandelt left disappointed, leaving a feeling of unease among those attending the ceremony.
A couple marked by trials, but who chose not to give up
Despite the trials and criticism, Kate and Gerry McCann continue to believe in the return of their daughter. “We are living in a limbo situation, which is always very disturbing. And absence is always painful“, they wrote in their message. This ceremony was also an opportunity to recall that the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is still ongoing. British police have obtained additional funding of almost 240,000 euros to continue their investigations.
Seventeen years after her disappearance, the Madeleine McCann affair remains an unsolved mystery. And if the presence of “fake Maddies” can disrupt the investigation and the family’s mourning, it also demonstrates the strength of hope and the universal expectation of a happy outcome.
