Madeleine McCann

Madeleine goes missing from her bedroom in a holiday apartment in
the Portuguese holiday resort of Praia da Luz late on May 3, 2007.

Her parents are having dinner with friends just 100 yards away.

The McCanns publicly appeal for help the next day.  Full Article 

Police and tourists search the resort and the surrounding countryside for the missing girl.

Newspapers distribute scores of their own missing person posters.

One of the posters is seen here on the side of a police van in the Algarve region on May 8.  Full Article 

Critics of the huge search operation say Portuguese police were slow to respond and didn't release enough information.

A child psychologist and a behavioural expert from Britain's child sex abuse agency join the Portuguese police a week after Madeleine disappeared.

They advise their Portuguese counterparts on the behavioural traits of paedophiles.  Full Article 

David Beckham joins a host of celebrities, including Wayne Rooney and J.K. Rowling, in appealing for Madeleine's return.

Beckham says: "We need to do everything possible to help police.

"If you have seen this little girl please go to the local authorities or the police with any genuine information."  Full Article 

Pilgrims attending the Sanctuary of Fatima in Portugal say prayers for Madeleine.

Some carried pictures of the girl with the word "missing".

They prayed to the Virgin Mary to intervene to help find her alive.  Full Article | Video 

Police search a villa close to the complex from where Madeleine went missing.

They take away a British man, Robert Murat (pictured far left) for questioning.

Murat often spoke to reporters, saying she looked like his daughter.  Full Article 

The McCanns take their campaign to several European countries and the United States.

There are reported sightings in North Africa, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Malta.

However, they all come to nothing and Madeleine remains missing.  Full Article 

Police say traces of blood were found on the wall of the apartment where Madeleine went missing.

She has been missing for 100 days on Aug. 11.

The McCanns make emotional pleas for people to keep looking and pray at a service in the church in Praia da Luz.  Full Article | Video 

Police name Kate and Gerry McCann as suspects on Sept. 7.

Family and friends dismiss the suggestion they have been involved in their daughter's disappearance as "ludicrous".

A spokeswoman for the McCanns, said Kate told her police found blood in a car hired by the couple.  Full Article | Video 

Kate and Gerry McCann fly home with their twins on Sept. 9.

Gerry says: "We played no part in the disappearance of our lovely daughter Madeleine."

Portuguese police say their decision to return to Britain will complicate and possibly delay the investigation.  Full Article 

The McCanns issue a video with a new plea for information about Madeleine's whereabouts.

They make a special Christmas plea to their daughter to "be brave".

Her mother says: "We are doing everything we can Madeleine to find you. Be brave sweetheart."  Full Article 

Two newspapers make unprecedented front page apologies to the McCanns for suggesting they might have killed her and covered up the death.

At a High Court hearing in London, the McCanns' lawyer Adam Tudor said it was "difficult to conceive a more serious allegation than to be falsely accused of being responsible for the death of one's daughter."  Full Article 

A row breaks out over a leaked statement by Kate McCann which claims Madeleine asked why she was left crying in her room.

"Why didn't you come when we were crying last night," the girl is supposed to have said.

Police deny that they were responsible for the leak. The McCanns demand an investigation.  Full Article 

Kate and Gerry McCann mark the first anniversary of their daughter's disappearance on May 3, 2008.

They take part in an ITV documentary about the case.

A source close to the programme says it shows her as "a woman grieving...clearly more emotional than she has ever been".