German investigators leading the probe into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are urgently calling on the Metropolitan Police to revive their investigation.
They have issued a stark warning that their prime suspect, convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner, could soon walk free from prison.
With Brueckner’s release looming in September, pressure is mounting following explosive revelations from a Channel 4 documentary and newly uncovered evidence found in a German factory, which authorities believe may link him to the three-year-old’s 2007 abduction.
The materials, unearthed at a disused box factory in Germany, include a vile catalogue of depraved documents, children’s clothing, small bikes, and more than 75 swimsuits and toys believed to belong to young girls.
Some were reportedly buried beneath the body of Brueckner’s dead dog, which was exhumed during the police search.
‘The clock is against the case here and investigators do not want to see Brueckner walk free,’ a source told The Sun.
‘Their best option could be intervention from UK cops but they have to be prepared to take it on. There are 20,000 pages of Madeleine evidence and the Germans are ready to translate the lot.’
So far, Brueckner has not been charged in connection with Madeleine’s disappearance.
Prime suspect Christian Brueckner arrives in court in Braunschweig, Germany, in October
Madeleine McCann (pictured) went missing on May 3, 2007, aged three. She has never been found
A metal suitcase discovered by German police in 2016. It reportedly contained photos of girls
He has repeatedly denied any involvement, claiming that the accusations are baseless.
In 2016, officers discovered up to 8,000 files at the site, including USB sticks and hard drives containing what are alleged to be disturbing images and graphic stories of child abduction.
One document reportedly described drugging a mother and daughter outside a pre-school and abusing a four-year-old blonde girl — a chilling echo of the real-life tragedy that unfolded in Portugal in 2007.
A laptop and satellite navigation system seized from the same location are also said to have traced Brueckner’s movements around the Arade Dam, just 35 miles from Praia da Luz.
Photos later emerged of Brueckner posing nude at the dam, having scrawled a crude mask over his own face — a bizarre and deeply sinister image that added to growing suspicions around him.
While no forensic proof has yet been uncovered linking Brueckner definitively to Madeleine’s disappearance, German prosecutors have said they are convinced she is dead, and that Brueckner is responsible.
‘We have strong evidence that Madeleine McCann is dead and that our suspect killed her,’ German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters told 60 Minutes Australia in 2020.
‘We don’t have the body and no parts of the body, but we have enough evidence to say our suspect killed Madeleine McCann.’
This position remains unchanged, The Sun confirmed this week.
Bottles and substances found inside a Jaguar matching the description of Brueckner’s vehicle
Among the items found in the bolthole in Neuwegersleben were 75 child’s swimming costumes
This laptop was reported to have been handed to German police and allegedly contains information that could link Brueckner to Madeleine’s disappearance
Police recovered three black-market guns and ammunition – alongside bottles of substances suspected to be chloroform or ether, both of which can cause unconsciousness
An insurance document reportedly proves for the first time Brueckner was at a festival in March 2008 where he allegedly all but confessed to killing Madeleine
A Channel 4 documentary airing tonight features disturbing new details of the investigation, including accounts from informants and previously unreleased police evidence — fuelling renewed calls for British police to step up their own efforts.
One disturbing detail allegedly supporting the case against him is an insurance claim signed by Brueckner that placed him in Orgiva, Spain, in March 2008 — coinciding with a hippy festival where, according to an informant, he confessed to knowing what happened to Madeleine.
Helge Busching, a former acquaintance of Brueckner, told German authorities:
‘Christian asked me if I was still going to Portugal. I replied: ‘I’m no longer going to Portugal because there are too many problems there… on account of the missing child.’
‘It is indeed strange that she disappeared without a trace.’
Christian replied: ‘Yes, she did not scream.’
Brueckner has dismissed Busching’s testimony as ‘not even worthy of comment’, but prosecutors say his insurance claim supports Busching’s timeline and Brueckner’s presence at the event.
The discovery of chemicals believed to be chloroform or ether, unlicensed firearms, and Skype chats with fellow paedophiles, have further painted a harrowing picture of a man who ‘changed at night’, according to witnesses interviewed in the documentary.
The Metropolitan Police were present during a 2023 search of the Arade Dam, where material was recovered and sent to Germany. The Met has said it remains open to any new evidence.
A photograph thought to show Christian Brueckner at the Arade Dam – a key location in the Madeleine McCann investigation which Portuguese police searched in 2023
German police unearthed the disturbing cache of materials at a former box-making factory owned by Bruecker (pictured in 2020)
Plastic boxes, electronics and a bathtub dumped outside Brueckner’s run-down bolthole
Brueckner is likely to walk free from prison later this year unless prosecutors are able to conclusively charge him
Kate and Gerry McCann, Madeleine’s parents, hold pyjamas similar to those of their daughter during a press conference in June 2007
A spokesperson for the force said: ‘We continue to support Madeleine’s family to understand what happened on the evening of 3 May, 2007 in Praia da Luz. This includes working with our colleagues in Germany and Portugal. Our thoughts remain with the family.’
Despite their commitment, Operation Grange, the unit set up to investigate Madeleine’s case, has had its funding cut again, receiving £108,000 this year, down from £192,000 previously. The case has now cost UK taxpayers almost £13.5 million over 18 years.
Last week marked both the 18th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance and what would have been her 22nd birthday.
In a statement, Kate and Gerry McCann said: ‘As we arrive at the 18th anniversary of Madeleine’s abduction, we’d like to thank our faithful supporters once again for standing by us and never forgetting about Madeleine.
‘The years appear to be passing even more quickly and whilst we have no significant news to share, our determination to ‘leave no stone unturned’ is unwavering. We will do our utmost to achieve this.
‘May is also Madeleine’s birthday – her 22nd this year. No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day. We continue to celebrate her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her.’
