Investigators are comparing soil samples collected during the recent search for Madeleine McCann with dirt found on the prime suspect’s camper van, it has emerged.
Detectives last month searched the remote Barragem do Arade reservoir in the Algarve, Portugal where they believe prime suspect Christian Brueckner had visited in the days after the young girl vanished.
Police cleared an area of around 160 square feet of woodland at the reservoir and dug eight deep holes to collect samples of soil which were sent for forensic testing. The officials recovered a ‘number of items’ during the search.
Authorities now believe they have a good chance of proving that Brueckner’s van was in the area at the time of Madeleine’s abduction, sources told The Daily Mirror.
The insider claims that if the soil sample analysis reveals a ‘positive match’, police may be able to further ‘close the net’ around Brueckner, 45, who has not yet been charged and denies involvement in the girl’s disappearance.
Investigators are comparing soil samples collected during the recent search for Madeleine McCann with dirt found on the prime suspect’s camper van, it has emerged. Police dug eight deep holes (pictured) to collect samples of soil during their search last month
Authorities now believe they have a good chance of proving that Brueckner’s van was in the area at the time of Madeleine’s abduction, sources allege. Investigators are pictured at the search site in Silves, Portugal on May 25
Madeleine McCann (left) was taken from a holiday apartment on May 3, 2007. Police have identified Christian Brueckner (right) as the prime suspect in her disappearance. He has not yet been charged and denies any involvement
German prosecutors first connected Brueckner to the Portuguese beauty spot after photos – that have not been made public – linked him to the area.
It is understood that proving he visited the reservoir in May 2007 could be ‘pivotal’ to the tying him to Madeleine’s case.
A source claimed police are focusing on ‘showing through soil sample analysis’ that Brueckner’s VW T3 Westfalia was at Barragem do Arade around the time Madeleine was taken.
‘A positive match of the soil they already have from the vehicle with the earth they removed during the search last week will be another important piece of evidence against him,’ the insider told the newspaper.
The individual added that it would be a ‘slight setback’ if the lab does not find a match, but claims ‘investigators remain hopeful’.
The reservoir is located 30 miles from the holiday apartment where three-year-old Madeleine was taken on May 3, 2007.
Scotland Yard is reportedly updating her parents Kate and Gerry McCann, of Rothley, Leicestershire, about the German authorities’ investigation.
A source claimed police are focusing on ‘showing through soil sample analysis’ that Brueckner’s VW T3 Westfalia (pictured) was at Barragem do Arade around the time Madeleine was taken
The insider added that it would be a ‘slight setback’ if the lab does not find a match, but claims ‘investigators remain hopeful’. Authorities are pictured at the search site on May 25
Several items were removed from the site, which may or may not be of relevance to the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance. They include a bra strap, pieces of clothing and plastic items. German and Portuguese investigators are pictured dismantling base camp at the end of the three-day search on May 25
The three-day search last month was conducted by Portugese police with the help of German and British colleagues.
Police had said they found a ‘relevant clue’ during their search of the beauty spot after an informant was able to match photographs showing Brueckner close to the reservoir.
Several items were removed from the site, which may or may not be of relevance to the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance. They include a bra strap, pieces of clothing and plastic items.
German prosecutors in June 2020 revealed they were investigating Brueckner and had ‘concrete evidence’ he killed Madeleine.
In their statement after the search, the prosecutors said the investigations against the 46-year-old suspect are expected to ‘go on for some time’.
Madeleine McCann (pictured) was three when she went missing from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in 2007
Despite a huge international manhunt, no trace of McCann has been found and no one has been charged over her disappearance.
According to police, Brueckner lived in the Algarve region between 1995 and 2007, making a living doing odd jobs as well as burgling hotel rooms and holiday apartments.
It has also been reported that he would regularly spend time near the reservoir outside the small inland town of Silves.
Police already combed the site in 2008 but divers found only animal remains at that time, according to media reports.
