Kate and Gerry McCann release heartbreaking statement on 16th anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance

Kate and Gerry McCann have released a heart-breaking statement on the anniversary of their daughter’s disappearance.

Madeline was just three years old when she went missing from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3 2007.

Sixteen years on and there has been little progress in the case, with McCann’s parents still hoping that the missing Brit will be found.

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In a statement, published on the ‘Official Find Madeleine Campaign’ Facebook page, the McCanns said that they’d struggled to convey the grief felt over their missing daughter.

They wrote: “Still missing …. still very much missed. It is hard to find the words to convey how we feel.”

Uploaded alongside a photo of the missing toddler, the parents marked the anniversary by also sharing a poem by Care Polland.

Entitled The Contradiction, the verse talked about being close to someone who is not there, and the McCanns stated that it ‘strongly’ resonated with them.

The couple then thanked their supporters and said that they were still awaiting a ‘breakthrough’ as the lengthy investigation continues.

“It is much appreciated that people still want to show such support,” they told their followers.

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Last year, the investigation took a major turn as prosecutors named Christian Brueckner as a first suspect in the case.

The German national has previously been convicted of crimes against young girls and was also a known burglar.

Having moved to Portugal in his late teens, Brueckner lived in a farmhouse close to Praia da Luz, around the time of McCann’s disappearance.

German police are continuing their investigation into Brueckner and have alleged that they found new evidence in his van, linking him to the case.

A spokesperson told the press: “The accused is the same person against whom charges were brought in connection with the disappearance of the then three-year-old British girl Madeleine Beth McCann.

“Specifically, the accused is charged with three offences of aggravated rape and two offences of sexual abuse of children,” they said, adding: “The investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann continues.”

The 45-year-old is currently serving a prison sentence for the rape of an elderly woman.

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Meanwhile, McCann’s parents will the parents will attend a prayer vigil in their village later today, which is the 16^th anniversary of McCann’s disappearance.

It’s unclear whether McCann’s twin siblings, who were present when their sister disappeared, will also be at the service.