Praia da Luz, Portugal — In a heartbreaking and historic development, police confirmed today that they have discovered the remains of Madeleine McCann, nearly 18 years after she vanished from her family’s holiday apartment in Portugal.
Authorities revealed that the body was located in a densely wooded area only 1km from the Ocean Club resort where the then 3-year-old disappeared on May 3, 2007. Forensic investigators say DNA testing has conclusively identified the remains as belonging to Madeleine.
Discovery That Stunned Investigators
Police sources told reporters that a specialized search team, acting on new intelligence, carried out a sweep of the woodland earlier this month. During excavation work, they uncovered human remains buried in a shallow grave.
“The scene was distressing beyond words,” one officer said. “The proximity to the resort makes the discovery even more shocking.”
Photographs of investigators working at the site, released late Sunday, have been described as “harrowing”, with officials warning that the images are not suitable for public release in full due to their sensitivity.
McCann Family Notified
Kate and Gerry McCann, Madeleine’s parents, were notified in person by British police before the official announcement. Family friends say the couple is “devastated but grateful to finally have answers after years of unbearable uncertainty.”
In a brief statement, the McCanns said:
“We never gave up hope of finding Madeleine. Today is the heaviest day of our lives. While this discovery ends our search, it does not end the fight for justice.”
Investigation Shifts to Homicide
The case, long treated as a missing persons investigation, is now officially a homicide inquiry. Both Portuguese and UK detectives are re-examining evidence, including resort staff records, phone data, and testimonies from 2007.
Officials say their priority is to identify who was responsible for hiding Madeleine’s body so close to the holiday resort — and why it was never discovered in previous searches.
A Nation in Shock
Across Britain, news of the discovery has triggered an outpouring of grief. Crowds have gathered outside the McCann family home, leaving flowers and messages of support. Social media has been flooded with tributes, with many calling this “the darkest ending to Britain’s most haunting missing child case.”