Seventeen years have passed since three-year-old Madeleine McCann vanished from her holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, yet the world remains captivated by one of history's most notorious missing person cases. At the heart of that fateful evening were seven friends - now famously known as the 'Tapas 7' - who shared dinner with Kate and Gerry McCann just hours before their daughter disappeared.
The Night That Changed Everything
On May 3, 2007, the McCanns and their seven friends enjoyed a relaxed evening at a tapas restaurant mere yards from where Madeleine and her younger siblings slept. The group had established a checking rota, taking turns to monitor the apartments where their children rested. This ordinary holiday ritual would soon become the focal point of an international investigation that continues to this day.
Where Are the Tapas 7 Now?
The seven friends have largely retreated from public life, but their connection to the case remains indelible. Our investigation reveals how that single night continues to shape their lives nearly two decades later.
Dr Fiona Payne and her husband David Payne were close friends of the McCanns before the holiday and have maintained their support throughout the investigation. The couple, both medical professionals, have faced intense scrutiny but have consistently cooperated with authorities.
Rachael and Matthew Oldfield experienced the media storm alongside the McCanns, with Matthew being the last friend to check on Madeleine before her disappearance was discovered. They have since maintained a low profile while continuing to support the search for answers.
Jane Tanner and Russell O'Brien provided crucial early statements, with Jane initially reporting seeing a man carrying a child near the apartment. Their testimony helped form early suspect descriptions, though they too have largely withdrawn from public view.
Dianne Webster, Rachael Oldfield's mother who joined the holiday, completed the group of seven. Like the others, her life was irrevocably changed by the events of that evening.
The Enduring Impact
These seven individuals weren't just witnesses to a tragedy - they became unwilling participants in a media circus that spanned continents. Their holiday friendships were tested under the harsh glare of international scrutiny, with their every word analyzed by police and press alike.
The German investigation into Christian Brückner has brought renewed attention to the case, though authorities emphasize the Tapas 7 remain witnesses rather than persons of interest. Their cooperation with multiple police forces across Europe has been documented throughout the various investigations.
As the search for Madeleine continues into its second decade, the Tapas 7 represent living connections to a night that continues to haunt all involved. Their stories serve as poignant reminders of how ordinary lives can become forever entangled in extraordinary circumstances.
