Madeleine McCann's parents issue upsetting update for 17th anniversary of her disappearance

Madeleine McCann's parents have issued an upsetting update on the 17th anniversary of her disappearance.

Yes, it’s been 17 years since the three-year-old girl tragically went missing on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Lagos, Portugal.

And since then, there’s been several documentaries about Madeleine following worldwide campaigns to find her – with other teens even believing they were the missing girl.

It was recently revealed that up to a further £192,000 has been granted by the Home Office for the Scotland Yard investigation into her disappearance.

There has already been more than £13 million spent on investigating the case of Madeleine, who would now be 20 years old.

And marking today’s (3 May) sad anniversary, her parents Kate and Gerry shared a post.

“It's 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us. It's hard to even say that number without shaking our heads in disbelief," the social media post reads.

“Whilst we are fortunate in many ways and able to live a relatively normal and enjoyable life now, the 'living in limbo' is still very unsettling. And the absence still aches.

"Your support continues to encourage us and bolsters our strength to keep going. We know the love and hope for Madeleine and the will to find her, even after so many years, remains, and we are truly thankful for that.

“Thank you again for remembering Madeleine and all missing children."

Just yesterday, a British police officer involved in the search for Madeleine explained how the case was ‘blown open’ by a voicemail left on a Scotland Yard answer machine.

Det Con Mark Draycott was giving evidence in the trial of convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner – the German is accused of a string of sex offences unrelated to Madeleine's case.

However, he was named as a prime suspect in Madeleine's disappearance in 2020. Though he denies any involvement in her disappearance.

DC Draycott explained how the man’s former-friend, Helge Busching, tipped off Scotland Yard in 2017 on an answer machine.

“Back then we still had a public phone number which was publicised around the world,” he said.

"Members of the public were able to ring in with any information related to Operation Grance – the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance.

“One of my jobs was to check the answer phone messages. On May 18th I checked the answer phone and there was a message.

“It was from a male by the sound of his voice, he spoke good English and he asked to speak to David Edgar (private investigator). He said he had information and he left a Greek mobile number.

"I then rang this Greek mobile number and spoke to a male I now know to be Helge Lars Busching. He referred to himself as Lars and he gave information in relation to the Madeleine McCann investigation.”