Kate McCann, the mother of missing child Madeleine McCann, has expressed deep concern over a note found in a restaurant reservation book, which she believes may have inadvertently contributed to her daughter’s disappearance in 2007. This revelation, detailed in her 2011 memoir Madeleine: Our Daughter’s Disappearance and the Continuing Search for Her, sheds new light on the events surrounding that tragic evening in Praia da Luz, Portugal.
On May 3, 2007, the McCann family was vacationing at the Ocean Club resort in the Algarve region. That evening, Kate and her husband, Gerry, dined with friends at the resort’s tapas restaurant, leaving their three children—Madeleine and her younger twin siblings—asleep in their ground-floor apartment, approximately 55 meters away. The group had arranged to check on the children at regular intervals throughout the evening.
In her memoir, Kate recounts discovering, a year after the incident, a note in the resort’s staff message book that had been left at the pool reception desk. The note detailed the group’s dinner reservations and explicitly mentioned that the children were alone in the apartments while the adults dined nearby. Kate was horrified to learn that this information was accessible not only to resort staff but potentially to guests and visitors as well. She feared that someone with malicious intent could have seen the note and used the information to target their apartment.
The disappearance of Madeleine McCann became one of the most extensively reported missing-person cases in modern history. Despite numerous investigations and widespread media coverage, Madeleine’s whereabouts remain unknown. Over the years, various theories and leads have emerged, but none have led to a definitive conclusion.
In 2022, German authorities named Christian Brückner, a convicted sex offender, as a prime suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance. Brückner has denied any involvement, and as of now, no charges have been filed against him in connection with the case. The investigation continues, with authorities in multiple countries collaborating to uncover the truth.
Kate and Gerry McCann have remained steadfast in their search for answers, maintaining the “Find Madeleine” campaign and website to keep the public informed and engaged. They continue to appeal for information that could lead to their daughter’s whereabouts, holding onto hope that Madeleine may still be found.
The note in the reservation book serves as a painful reminder of the small details that can have unforeseen and tragic consequences. Kate’s discovery underscores the importance of privacy and security, especially when it comes to the safety of children. As the search for Madeleine continues, her parents remain committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring that no other family endures a similar tragedy.
