The main suspect in the Madeleine McCann case has been released from prison today, despite German authorities suspecting him of the murder of the three-year-old in Portugal nearly two decades ago.
There are concerns that Christian Brueckner might flee his country after completing six years of a seven-year sentence for assaulting an elderly woman in Praia de Luz, the Algarve town where Madeleine disappeared. A new ITV documentary delves into Brueckner’s profile as a child sex offender and explores the evidence linking him to the high-profile missing person case.
Brueckner’s criminal history dates back to 1994 when he was convicted of child sex offenses as a teenager. After moving to the Algarve in 1995, he committed various crimes, including burglary and theft. In 2005, he raped a 72-year-old woman in Praia de Luz, just two years before Madeleine vanished in 2007.
Despite extensive investigations, Madeleine has not been found, and no one has been charged in connection with her disappearance. Phone records place Brueckner in the area on the night she went missing. A former senior British detective on the case, Graham Hill, highlights Brueckner’s presence in the resort that night as a crucial detail.
The documentary features insights from experts in psychiatry, law, and media, aiming to shed light on Brueckner’s potential involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance. The program uncovers disturbing allegations against Brueckner, including his involvement in child sex abuse and possession of indecent material.
Brueckner’s activities in a disused factory in Germany raised suspicions, leading to the discovery of disturbing content on USB sticks. Police found over 70 children’s swimming costumes in his Winnebago, possibly linked to thefts from holiday complexes in Praia De Luz. Further investigations revealed his involvement in child sexual abuse cases in Portugal.
Despite facing multiple charges related to rape and child sex abuse in Portugal, Brueckner was acquitted due to technical irregularities in the search warrant. The German prosecutor maintains Brueckner as the prime suspect in Madeleine’s case, emphasizing the need to gather conclusive evidence for a court trial.
The documentary presents a detailed account of the ongoing investigation into the abduction and potential murder of Madeleine McCann, urging viewers to tune in for more information on the case.