Madeleine McCann’s disappearance in 2007 during a family vacation in Portugal remains one of the most perplexing cases of a missing child. Madeleine was just three years old when she vanished, and her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, have since led one of the most extensive global searches to find her. Now 54, they remain convinced that their daughter is still alive and have shared their thoughts on what might have led to her disappearance.

On the night Madeleine vanished, her parents were dining with friends at the Ocean Club restaurant within the same hotel complex. It wasn’t until 2019, with the release of the Netflix documentary series The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, that a critical detail from that night was brought to light. Near the end of the series, author Robbyn Swan, who co-authored Looking for Madeleine, revealed a significant yet minor piece of information about the case.

In her 2011 book, Madeleine: Our Daughter’s Disappearance and the Continuing Search for Her, Kate McCann recounts discovering something disturbing in the restaurant’s reservation book. The group had requested the same table each night, one with the best view of their apartments, as their children, including Madeleine, were asleep in the rooms. However, Kate later found out that the receptionist had noted in the reservation book that the reason for this request was because they were leaving their children unattended. This realization horrified Kate, as it meant anyone, including potential onlookers or staff, would know the children were alone.

Kate reflected on this in her book, expressing deep regret: “We will continue to regret it deeply till the end of our days.”

Another theory the McCanns hold is that the initial police search for Madeleine was flawed, hindering efforts to find her. They have voiced their frustration, particularly in a statement from September 2022, where they criticized Portuguese policeman Goncalo Amaral, whom they believe negatively impacted the search. Despite the years that have passed, the McCanns remain steadfast in their pursuit of answers.