Who is Madeleine McCann, the 3-year old girl who vanished without a trace?

Madeleine McCann. Even if you only vaguely follow true crime stories, that name probably rings a bell. She’s the little British girl whose disappearance back in 2007 stunned the world.

And now, 18 years later, her story is back in the headlines—because investigators have just reopened the case with fresh eyes and new clues.

Who was little Madeleine McCann?

Madeleine Beth McCann was a bright-eyed, three-year-old from Rothley, a quiet town in the UK. She was on holiday with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal, when the unimaginable happened. On the night of May 3, 2007, her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, left her sleeping in their vacation apartment with her younger siblings while they had dinner at a nearby tapas bar.

When they returned, Madeleine was gone. Just like that.

No sign. No sound. A full-blown global manhunt followed, but not a trace of her was ever found.

Why is everyone talking about her again?

So why is Madeleine’s name back in the news in 2025? It turns out that German police are leading a new search in Portugal, digging around an area close to where the McCanns were staying in 2007. This isn't just a random move—it’s connected to Christian Brueckner, a German man and convicted sex offender who once lived in the area and is already in prison for another crime.

He’s been a suspect in Madeleine’s case for a while, but so far, no solid proof has tied him directly to her disappearance.Now, a new tip-off has sent investigators back to Portugal. They’re using high-tech equipment and focusing on land near Brueckner’s former digs—basically, combing through everything with a fine-tooth comb, hoping to find that one crucial piece of evidence.

The case that never left the headlines

Madeleine’s case has never really faded from public memory.

It’s been the subject of endless documentaries, books, interviews, and even conspiracy theories. Every anniversary brings a new wave of interest, and each year her parents, Kate and Gerry, renew their calls for answers. This year marks 18 years since Madeleine vanished, and her family isn’t giving up. Not now. Not ever.

Will we finally get answers?

Nobody knows how this latest investigation will pan out. But for those who’ve followed the case—whether out of curiosity, empathy, or hope—it feels like one more chance to find the truth. Madeleine’s disappearance has always felt like something the world just couldn’t let go of, and maybe that’s because deep down, everyone wants to believe that someday, somehow, we’ll finally find out what really happened to that little girl with the big smile.