Main Suspect in Madeleine McCann Case, Christian Brueckner, Set for Release
The main suspect in the 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann is due to be released on Wednesday from the German prison where he has been serving a seven-year prison sentence for an unrelated sex crime.
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The primary suspect in British toddler Madeleine McCann's 2007 disappearance is scheduled for release on Wednesday from a German correctional facility, where he has been serving a seven-year sentence for an unrelated sexual offense.
Christian Brueckner was identified by German authorities as a suspect in 2020, while already incarcerated for raping a 72-year-old woman in Portugal's Algarve region—the same area where McCann vanished.
His imprisonment concludes Wednesday. According to Der Spiegel, following his release, Brueckner's passport will be revoked, he will wear an electronic monitoring device, must register a residence, and cannot travel without authorization.
"Prosecutors are essentially attempting to maintain him under investigative surveillance, ensuring they have continual access to him," lawyer Philipp Marquort told Der Spiegel.
Brueckner's legal representative denies any involvement in the McCann case. Beyond the rape conviction, Brueckner has prior convictions for child abuse and drug trafficking. The rape victim has since passed away.
Law enforcement agencies in Britain, Germany, and Portugal have identified Brueckner as their principal suspect and have long worked to find conclusive evidence connecting him to the disappearance. In June, Portuguese and German authorities conducted a four-day evidence search in the Algarve region.
British police announced Monday that Brueckner, currently held in a prison in Sehnde, northern Germany, declined their interview request regarding the disappearance. They affirmed their commitment to pursue all viable investigative avenues.
McCann was three years old when she disappeared from her bedroom in a holiday resort while her parents dined nearby.
According to court documents reviewed by Reuters, 49-year-old Brueckner resided in the Algarve from 1995 to 2007, where he burglarized hotels and vacation apartments.
McCann's parents continue their campaign to find their daughter, who would now be 22 years old, and release a statement each year on the anniversary of her disappearance.
"We love her dearly and miss her beyond words," they state on their website.