As the McCann family marks the 17th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance, a woman claims to be the missing girl at a vigil while the main suspect faces trial and Scotland Yard continues their search.
On the 17th anniversary of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance, her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were notably absent from a prayer vigil held in her honor. At the event, a message from the McCanns was read by Reverend Robert Gladstone, expressing their gratitude for ongoing support and acknowledging the continued pain of their daughter’s absence. Brian Kennedy, Kate’s uncle, also addressed the gathering, underscoring the persistent efforts to locate Madeleine.
During the vigil, a 22-year-old woman named Julia Wendell presented herself, claiming to be Madeleine and requesting a DNA test to confirm her identity. However, she had previously taken a DNA test that confirmed she was not related to the missing girl. Concurrently, Christian Brueckner, the main suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance, is facing trial for unrelated offenses, although German authorities are pushing to charge him with her kidnapping and a ‘no body’ murder, based on their belief that Madeleine is deceased.
In the meantime, Operation Grange, the investigative effort led by Scotland Yard to find Madeleine, continues with an additional funding of nearly £200,000. To date, the investigation has cost £13.2 million. The case remains classified as a missing person inquiry despite the developments over the years.
