On May 3 2007, Madeleine McCann disappeared from her bed in a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal when she was just three-years-old.
This sparked one of the biggest missing person investigations in history, with Scotland Yard launching its own investigation, Operation Grange, back in July 2013.
READ MORE - Madeleine McCann: Disappearance timeline as Christian Brueckner named as formal suspect
Despite efforts made to find the missing British girl, Madeleine McCann has not yet been found.
Marking 15 years since her disappearance, parents Kate and Gerry McCann have said it's "essential" that they find out the truth of what happened to their daughter ahead of her 19th birthday taking place on May 12.
In a message on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page on Monday (May 2 2022), Kate and Gerry McCann wrote: "This year we mark fifteen years since we last saw Madeleine. It feels no harder than any other but no easier either. It’s a very long time.
"Many people talk about the need for ‘closure’. It’s always felt a strange term. Regardless of outcome, Madeleine will always be our daughter and a truly horrific crime has been committed. These things will remain. It is true though that uncertainty creates weakness; knowledge and certainty give strength, and for this reason our need for answers, for the truth, is essential. We are grateful for the ongoing work and commitment of the UK, Portuguese and German authorities as it is this combined police effort which will yield results and bring us those answers.
"As always, we would like to thank all of our supporters for their continued good wishes and support. It is a huge comfort to know that regardless of time passed, Madeleine is still in people’s hearts and minds. Thank you. Kate & Gerry."
The Metropolitan Police, who continue to treat Madeleine’s disappearance as a missing persons inquiry, said it is "committed" to finding answers.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell from the Metropolitan Police Service, who leads Operation Grange, said: “Fifteen years on from Madeleine’s disappearance in Praia Da Luz our thoughts, as always, are with her family.
“Officers continue to investigate the case and our dedicated team are still working closely with law enforcement colleagues from the Portuguese Policia Judiciária as well as the German Bundeskriminalamt.
“At this time, the case remains a missing person’s enquiry and all involved are committed to doing what we can to find answers.”
If you think you have seen Madeleine or may have information about her disappearance, please visit the Find Madeleine website here.
