German cops break silence on ‘very constructive’ Madeleine McCann search as ‘clothes and bones are sent for analysis’
It comes after it was revealed that eagle-eyed police found tiny fragments during the search
GERMAN police have broken their silence on the “very constructive” Madeleine McCann search.
It comes after cops found tiny fragments during the search, which they are speculating could have links to Maddie after prime suspect Christian Brueckner, 38, wild camped at the site
Madeleine vanished on May 3, 2007, while on holiday with her family in Praia da Luz in PortugalCredit: Collect
Officials recently went on a renewed search for DNA evidence in PortugalCredit: Dan Charity
Christian Brueckner is believed to be the lead suspect in the girl’s disappearanceCredit: Getty
The latest searches for the tot concluded as planned, German prosecutors revealed.
Head prosecutor in Braunschweig, Hans Christian Wolters, dubbed the co-operation between the Portuguese and German authorities during the operation as “very constructive”.
Samples of fragments have now been sent to Germany for testing amid hopes they could finally reveal the forensic link cops are missing on the case.
Cops are understood to have found clothes and animal bones during the extensive search through an area known as Brueckner’s “rat run”
Without evidence pinning it to the convicted German rapist, prosecutors risk not being able to get the arrest warrant they need to keep Brueckner behind bars.
The claims were made in the Berlin Morning Post.
A source said: “Several objects have apparently been discovered, which are now being examined in more detail by the police in the laboratory.
“As Portuguese media report, clothing debris and bones were found, among other things.
“The investigators have not officially commented on whether the finds could have anything to do with Madeleine’s disappearance but that is clearly their hope.”
The search took place around an area of scrubland which is located close to where the British toddler was staying with her parents back in 2007.
Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner gloats cops ‘will NEVER pin case on me without a body’ in sickening letter
The little girl was aged just three when she vanished and has never been found since despite extensive searches.
German and Portuguese police used JCB-type machines and ground-penetrating radar but found “nothing of consequence”.
It was reported that animal bones and adult clothing were the only things unearthed – but no traces could be linked to Maddie
This quickly dashed hopes of pinning Brueckner with fresh DNA evidence until the latest developments today.
It comes as The Sun uncovered new Maddie evidence in a bombshell documentary.
The world exclusive doc lifts the lid on gripping new information and reveals why Brueckner is the prime suspect.
Our compelling investigation unveils the horrors found at his abandoned factory lair – and his obsession with small children.
Police searching various sites in and around the resort of Pria du Luz, PortugalCredit: Dan Charity
Cops searched near Praia da LuzCredit: Mirrorpix
Maddie vanished in 2007
Madeleine McCann: Inside the Secret Evidence is now available to watch online for free on our YouTube page.
The dossier of overwhelming circumstantial evidence includes exclusive images of kids’ swimming costumes, a toddler bike and toys found at his property.
We also reveal how cops found a mask, guns and child kidnap stories where Brueckner describes using kidnap chemical ether to take a mum and tot outside a preschool.
Our documentary on the police files represents the biggest leap forwards in understanding of the case since German police revealed Brueckner as a suspect in 2020.
It contains an interview with Irish holiday rep Hazel Behan, 41, who Brueckner was cleared of raping in 2005 at trial in Germany last year.
Hear from experts at The Sun and in Germany about the ongoing race against time to stop dangerous Brueckner being released in as little as three months.
Christian Brueckner refuses to answer police questions or provide an alibi, but has never been formally charged over the disappearance of murder of Madeleine McCann.
He has insisted his innocence in letters while his lawyers continue to maintain he had nothing to do with the taking or killing of Maddie.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
HERE’S a timeline of the case which has gripped the world.
May 3, 2007
Madeleine McCann disappears from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, sparking a massive police search and becoming one of the most famous missing persons cases in history.
January 15, 2016
Neighbour reports a possible ‘grave’ at Brueckner’s abandoned factory in East Germany.
Cops find disturbing images on USB sticks and launch a full-scale search.
February 16, 2016
Christian Brueckner is convicted for abusing a girl of five in a park after images found on his laptop.
He was sentenced to 15-months behind bars but was already on the run by then.
May 3, 2017
Around this time, Helge B calls an information hotline after watching a ten-year anniversary special on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
He reports an alleged confession by Christian Brueckner.
September 27, 2018
On-the-run Christian Brueckner is arrested over outstanding drugs claims in Italy.
He is extradited to Germany the following year.
December 16, 2019
Christian Brueckner was convicted, in Germany, for the 2005 rape of an American woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal, after his DNA was matched to a hair found on her bed.
He was sentenced to seven years behind bars.
June 4, 2020
German prosecutors reveal to the world they have a suspect in custody under investigation for the abduction of Madeleine McCann.
For the first time they claim Madeleine is dead.
German media later name him as Christian B (Christian Brueckner).
June 23, 2023
In his first interview, witness Helge B alleges to German newspaper Bild that Christian Brueckner all-but-confessed the Madeleine abduction to him, by allegedly saying “she didn’t scream” as they talked about the case, at a music festival, in Spain.
February 16, 2024
Brueckner goes on trial accused of none-McCann allegations of rape and sex assault, in Braunschweig, Germany.
Prosecutors hope for a conviction to keep him behind bars permanently and lead to McCann charges.
October 8, 2024
Brueckner was acquitted of all claims.
Prosecutors launch an appeal, however. Decision pending.
September 17, 2025
Date on which Christian Brueckner will be released from custody without action being taken.
Prosecutors require an arrest warrant for a retrial over claims from last year – or over the McCann case.
News
Little Girl Said: “My Father Had That Same Tattoo” — 5 Bikers Froze When They Realized What It Meant
The chrome catches sunlight like a mirror to the past. Ten Harley Davidsons sit parked outside Rusty’s Diner, engines ticking…
My Husband Left Me for a Fitter Woman Because He Said I Was “Too Big.” When He Came Back to Pick Up His Things… He Found a Note That Changed Everything.
When Mark left Emily just two months ago, there were no tears, no apologies, not even a hint of doubt…
The Maid Begged Her to Stop — But What the MILLIONAIRE’S Fiancée Did to the BABY Left Everyone…
The Broken Sound of Silence —Please, ma’am— Grace whispered, her voice cracking mid-sentence. —He’s just a baby. Cassandra didn’t stop….
My Husband Slapped Me in Front of His Mother, Who Simply Sat with an Arrogant Smile — But Our Ten-Year-Old Son Jumped Up, and What He Did Next Made Them Regret Ever Touching Me. It Was a Moment They Would Never Forget…
The slap came so fast I barely had time to blink. The sound cracked around the dining room like a…
I never planned to ruin my own wedding. But the moment I heard his mother scoff, saying: ‘People like you don’t belong here,’ something inside me broke. I threw my bouquet to the ground, tore off my veil, and took my mother’s hand. Gasps erupted behind us as I walked away from a million-dollar ceremony… and perhaps from him, too. But tell me: would you have stayed?
My name is Emily Parker , and the day I was supposed to marry Ethan began like a perfect California dream. The…
I Invited My Son and His Wife Over for Christmas Dinner. I Surprised Him with a BMW and Gifted Her a Designer Bag. Then My Son Smirked Arrogantly and Said: “Mom, My Wife Told Me I Need to Teach You a Lesson. There Will Be No Gifts for You.” My Daughter-in-Law Sat Smiling at My Humiliation. I Slowly Took Out an Envelope and Said: “Perfect. Then I Have One More Gift for the Two of You.” As Soon as He Opened It, His Hands Began to Tremble…
On the morning of December 24th, Elena Müller, a retired German accountant who had lived in Valencia for years, woke…
End of content
No more pages to load
