469 days after Madeleine McCann went missing from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, Kate and Gerry McCann continue to hold out hope that she is alive. Following the opening of the case files in recent weeks, there seems to be more reason than ever to believe that Madeleine was likely abducted by a pedohile ring. On his blog yesterday, Gerry McCann issued another plea for Madelein’s return:

Our investigators continue to explore credible leads and will continue to do so as long as Madeleine is missing. Now that the authorities are no longer looking for Madeleine we implore everyone who has provided information to the enquiry to contact us at investigation@findmadeleine.com or on + 44 (0)845 838 4699. We will guarantee that all information will be treated in the strictest confidence. You can help us find Madeleine.

Meanwhile, the McCanns have hired a private U.S. investigative agency made up of former CIA and FBI agents to continue the search. This article from the Telegraph outlines the significant disclosures made available to the press after the investigative files of the Portuguese police were opened. Among the disclosures, which included numerous previously unreported sightings, was this:

Madeleine could have been abducted by a stranger, seen by both a British holidaymaker and a British expat, loitering around the family’s holiday resort at the time. Pictures of the stranger and descriptions were not circulated by police.

An informant told police that he believed Madeleine had been abducted “to order” by a pedophile ring working out of Belgium.