In the spring of 2007, the McCann family left their home in Leicester, England, for a much-anticipated vacation in Portugal. The family, consisting of Gerry and Kate McCann and their three young children, were excited about their trip.

Their destination was Praia da Luz, a popular tourist resort known for its beautiful beaches and warm weather. The McCanns had rented a ground-floor apartment in a holiday complex.

On the evening of May 3rd, Gerry and Kate left their children asleep in the apartment while they dined with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant.

They had arranged to check on the children every half an hour. Their eldest child, Madeleine, was just a few days shy of her fourth birthday.

At around 10 PM, Kate went to check on the children and discovered Madeleine was missing. She immediately alerted Gerry and their friends.

The McCanns and their friends frantically searched the resort, but there was no sign of Madeleine. Soon, the local police were called.

The initial search efforts by the police were criticized for their lack of organization and urgency. The scene wasn't secured properly, and potential evidence was possibly contaminated.

In the following days, news of Madeleine's disappearance spread rapidly, generating immense public interest and media coverage.

The Portuguese police initially considered the possibility of Madeleine wandering off and getting lost. However, they soon shifted their focus to a potential abduction.

Despite numerous reported sightings of Madeleine from around the world, none led to any substantial progress in the case.

In September 2007, the Portuguese police named Gerry and Kate as "arguidos," or formal suspects, in the disappearance of their daughter.

This move sparked outrage and disbelief among the public, as there was no concrete evidence to suggest the McCanns were involved in their daughter's disappearance.

The McCanns vehemently denied any involvement and maintained their belief that Madeleine had been abducted.

In July 2008, the Portuguese police dropped their investigation due to lack of evidence, and the McCanns were cleared as suspects.

The McCanns then hired private investigators to continue the search for Madeleine. They also started a campaign called "Find Madeleine" to raise awareness.

In 2011, the Metropolitan Police in London launched their own investigation into Madeleine's disappearance, known as Operation Grange.

Over the next several years, Operation Grange followed up on numerous leads, conducted interviews, and carried out extensive searches, but Madeleine remained missing.

In June 2020, German authorities announced that they were investigating a new suspect in connection with Madeleine's disappearance.

The suspect, a convicted sex offender, was in Praia da Luz around the time of Madeleine's disappearance. However, as of now, no charges have been filed.

The McCanns continue to hope and believe that Madeleine is still alive. They remain committed to finding their daughter.

Madeleine's disappearance is one of the most high-profile missing child cases in the world. It has sparked numerous debates about child safety on holiday resorts.

The case has also highlighted the role of media in such high-profile cases. The McCanns have faced intense media scrutiny and intrusion into their personal lives.

Over the years, there have been numerous theories about what happened to Madeleine. However, without concrete evidence, they remain just theories.

The impact of Madeleine's disappearance has been far-reaching. It has changed the way families think about their children's safety while on vacation.

Despite the passage of time, the search for Madeleine McCann continues. The case remains open, and her family remains hopeful.