Madeleine McCann disappearance: A timeline (2024)

Three-year-old Madeleine McCann vanished from a Portuguese holiday apartment 16 years ago.

In the intervening years, a huge, costly police operation has taken place across much of Europe.

Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, say all they have ever wanted is to find their daughter.

Here is the story so far.

2007

On 3 May Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, is on holiday with her family at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz, Portugal.

On 12 May, the McCanns say they "cannot describe the anguish and despair" they are feeling.

Portuguese police say they believe Madeleine was abducted but is still alive and in Portugal.

On 26 May, police issue a description of a man seen on the night of Madeleine's disappearance, possibly carrying a child.

In June, a Portuguese police chief admits vital forensic clues may have been destroyed as the scene was not protected properly.

In July, British police send sniffer dogs to assist the investigation, and inspections of the McCann's apartment and rental car are conducted.

By August it is 100 days since Madeleine disappeared. Investigating officers publicly acknowledge she may not be found alive.

On 6 September, Portuguese police interview Kate McCann as a witness. On 7 September, detectives make the couple "arguidos" and days later, the McCanns return to the UK. Prosecutors later say there is no new evidence to justify re-questioning them.

Gerry McCann releases a video in November saying he believes his family was watched by "a predator" in the days before his daughter's disappearance.

2008

On 20 January the McCanns release sketches of a suspect, based on a description by a British holidaymaker of a "creepy man" seen at the resort.

In April, Portuguese police fly to the UK to sit in on interviews conducted by Leicestershire Police of the McCanns' friends they had dinner with on the night Madeleine disappeared.

On 3 May, one year since the disappearance, Mrs McCann urges people to "pray like mad" for her little girl.

By July Portuguese police say they have submitted their final report on the case. Weeks later, authorities shelve their investigation and lift the "arguido" status of the McCanns.

2009 and 2010

On 3 November, new images of how Madeleine might now look are released.

In March 2010, the McCanns criticise the release of previously unseen Portuguese police files - detailing possible sightings of Madeleine - to British newspapers.

A month later, in April, Gerry McCann says it is "incredibly frustrating" that police in Portugal and the UK had not been actively looking for his daughter "for a very long time".

In November, the couple sign a publishing deal to write a book about Madeleine's disappearance.

2011

The McCanns' book, Madeleine, is released in May.

Prime Minister David Cameron asks the Metropolitan Police to help investigate. A two-year review follows.

2012

Det Ch Insp Andy Redwood, the detective leading the UK review of Madeleine's disappearance, tells an April broadcast of the BBC's Panorama his team is "seeking to bring closure to the case".

A computer-generated image of what Madeleine might look like aged nine is released, a day before Portuguese authorities say they are not reopening their investigation.

2013

In May, UK detectives reviewing the case say they have identified "a number of persons of interest".

By July, Scotland Yard announces it has "new evidence and new witnesses" in the case and opens a formal investigation.

By October, Scotland Yard detectives say they have identified 41 potential suspects.

A BBC Crimewatch appeal features e-fit images of a man seen carrying a blond-haired child of three or four in Praia da Luz at about the time Madeleine went missing.

Portuguese police reopen their investigation - to run alongside Scotland Yard's - citing "new lines of inquiry".

2014

In January British detectives fly to Portugal amid claims they are planning to make arrests.

In June searches in Praia da Luz are carried out, including an area of scrubland situated south-west of the Ocean Club complex. It yields nothing of interest.

A month later, in July, four suspects are quizzed by police but no new developments emerge.

2015-19

In September 2015 the British government disclose that the investigation has cost more than £10m.

In April 2017 the four official suspects investigated by police are ruled out of the investigation but senior officers say they are pursuing a "significant line of inquiry".

In June 2019 the UK government says it will fund the Met Police inquiry, which began in 2011, until March 2020.

2020

A year later, in June 2020, police reveal that a 43-year-old German prisoner - named by German media as Christian B - has been identified as a suspect. The McCanns thank police, saying: "All we have ever wanted is to find her, uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice.

"We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive, but whatever the outcome may be, we need to know as we need to find peace."

German investigators have classed it as a murder inquiry and say they are assuming that Madeleine is dead.

The UK's Metropolitan Police says it has received more than 270 calls and emails since a new appeal for information was launched on Wednesday.

2022

In April 2022, a German man is declared an official suspect by Portuguese prosecutors investigating the case.

Christian Brueckner, then 45, is made an "arguido", although Portuguese authorities do not formally reveal the suspect's name.

2023

The McCann family mark the 16th anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance on 3 May 2022, saying she is "still very much missed" and they "await a breakthrough".

Later that month, a Portuguese news website reports that an area near a reservoir, about 30 miles (48km) from Praia da Luz, had been being sealed off. Police say they will begin searching the Arade dam on 23 May.