On May 3, 2007, Madeleine McCann disappeared from a holiday apartment in Portugal while her parents were dining at a nearby restaurant. Despite a media storm initially casting suspicion on her parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, they were cleared of any involvement in 2008. In 2020, German prosecutors identified Christian Brueckner as a suspect in the case. Brueckner, convicted of previous crimes, denies any connection to Madeleine’s disappearance. German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters suggested Brueckner may have been involved in the disappearance. Currently, Brueckner is facing multiple charges in Germany, including rape and sexual abuse. The investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance continues.
Email accounts used by Brueckner to share evidence of child abuse have been reported to contain information related to the killing of a toddler. Despite suspicions, Christian Brueckner has not been charged in connection to Madeleine McCann’s disappearance. Chief Prosecutor Wolters stated in 2020 that there was insufficient hard evidence for a trial and emphasized the importance of locating the toddler’s body. Although there are indications suggesting Madeleine is deceased, her whereabouts remain unknown. Brueckner, who resided in the area where Madeleine vanished from 1995 to 2007, is implicated by some evidence. Madeleine McCann has not been found, and while presumed dead by authorities, her parents continue to hold onto hope for her return. Brueckner was recently acquitted of rape and sexual abuse charges in Portugal between 2000 and 2017, with prosecutors planning to appeal the ruling. He will remain incarcerated until September 2025 for a separate rape conviction. The investigation into Madeleine’s case has hit a standstill, with no immediate plans for further legal action.
