Where are Madeleine McCann’s siblings, Amelie and Sean, now? Their lives almost 20 years on from disappearance

Nearly 20 years after Madeleine McCann vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, public fascination with the case remains intense. Renewed attention has now been sparked by Channel 5’s new drama Under Suspicion: Kate McCann, which focuses on the period in 2007 when Madeleine’s mum Kate was interrogated by Portuguese police and treated as a suspect.

While much of the media focus has remained on Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, many people are now asking what happened to Madeleine’s younger twin siblings, Sean and Amelie McCann, who were in the apartment when their sister disappeared.

Here’s what we know about where Madeleine McCann’s siblings are now.

Sean and Amelie McCann are Madeleine McCann’s younger twin siblings. The twins were just two years old when Madeleine disappeared on 3 May 2007 during the family’s holiday in Portugal.

At the time Madeleine vanished, the twins were asleep in the same holiday apartment in Praia da Luz while their parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant with friends. Madeleine was reported missing later that evening.

Now aged 21, Sean and Amelie have largely stayed out of the spotlight throughout their lives, with their parents making efforts to protect their privacy while continuing the search for Madeleine.

Amelie McCann is now believed to be a university student in the UK, though the McCann family have kept details of her private life largely away from public scrutiny.

Over the years, Amelie has occasionally appeared alongside her parents at vigils and memorial events marking anniversaries of Madeleine’s disappearance. Most recently, she attended a public vigil in Rothley, Leicestershire, alongside Kate, Gerry and Sean to mark 19 years since Madeleine went missing.

Amelie has also spoken publicly on rare occasions. In 2023, she attended a memorial event marking what would have been Madeleine’s 20th birthday, telling attendees: “We’re all here for the same reason.” According to reports at the time, she said it was “nice that everyone is together”.

Her LinkedIn profile suggests she has pursued higher education and volunteer work in the sports sector, while continuing to keep a relatively low public profile.

Sean McCann has reportedly become a talented competitive swimmer and has represented his school and regional teams in freestyle competitions.

Multiple reports have linked Sean to high-level swimming competitions in recent years, with some outlets suggesting he has ambitions to compete at elite level.

Like his sister, Sean has occasionally appeared publicly at events connected to Madeleine’s case, including annual prayer vigils held in the family’s home village of Rothley.

Despite growing up under the shadow of one of the world’s most high-profile missing persons cases, both Sean and Amelie have largely avoided media interviews and public exposure.

Although the twins rarely speak publicly, both Sean and Amelie have continued to support campaigns to find Madeleine and attend annual remembrance events with their parents.

Kate and Gerry McCann have repeatedly said the search for their daughter continues, even nearly two decades later. In a recent public statement marking 19 years since Madeleine disappeared, the family said: “We will never give up.”

The McCann family have continued to work with police as investigations into Madeleine’s disappearance remain ongoing.

Madeleine McCann disappeared on 3 May 2007 while on holiday with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal. She was three years old at the time.

The case became one of the most widely reported missing persons investigations in modern history and continues to attract global attention.

In 2020, German prosecutors identified convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner as the prime suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance, though he has denied involvement and has not been charged in connection with the case.