Nearly two decades after her daughter Madeleine went missing in Praia da Luz, Portugal, Kate McCann has shared the unsettling discovery of a hotel note connected to that tragic night.
In May 2007, the world was shocked when Madeleine, just days shy of her fourth birthday, disappeared while Kate and her husband Gerry were dining nearby. Despite taking turns to check on their children, Madeleine was gone by 10pm, sparking a search that captured global attention.
Initially, local authorities investigated possible abduction signs, including an open window. Later, suspicion controversially fell on her parents, though they were cleared a year after the disappearance. Questions remain about how the investigation was managed at the time.
Years later, while reviewing police files for her book Madeleine: Our Daughter’s Disappearance and the Continuing Search for Her, Kate discovered a note written by hotel staff. The note explained the family’s request for a block booking, intended to allow them to dine nearby while checking on their children intermittently. Though written innocently, Kate described the discovery as deeply unsettling.
“To my horror, I saw that, in all innocence, the receptionist had added the reason for our request: we wanted to eat close to our apartments as we were leaving our young children alone and checking on them periodically,” Kate said. She added that she and Gerry would “bitterly regret” the decision for the rest of their lives.
Investigations have continued over the years. In 2011, London’s Metropolitan Police launched Operation Grange. Later, in 2020, a German investigation identified Christian Brückner, a German national with a criminal history, as a person of interest. Despite reports of evidence linking him to the area at the time, no charges have been made.
The ongoing inquiry has raised questions about funding. Operation Grange has cost UK taxpayers approximately £13.3 million since 2011, with 2026/27 receiving £86,000. Critics note that resources for other missing children cases are often far smaller, highlighting the challenges in balancing investigations.
Nearly 20 years on, Madeleine McCann remains missing. Yet Kate McCann’s determination has never wavered, continuing her tireless search with hope, care, and persistence.
