Horrifying evidence came to light before police launched a new search into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Missing Madeleine McCann (Image: Getty)

Just weeks before the fresh police search into Madeleine McCann’s disappearance, chilling evidence found at the “abandoned lair” of the main suspect came to light. German authorities found deeply disturbing items linked to Christian Brückner, including dozens of pieces of children’s clothing and horrifying chat histories.

The evidence was found in a disused factory purchased by the convicted rapist for £20,000 in 2008 in Neuwegersleben, Germany, a year after Madeleine vanished. German police discovered 75 children’s swimming costumes, toys and small bikes alongside a hard drive in connection with Brueckner

Police are currently conducting searches in the area where Madeleine went missing (Image: Getty)

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The evidence came to light in a  Sun investigation aired on Channel 4.

Police found stories by the 47-year-old showing his obsession with children, including one story where he described drugging a mother and daughter outside a preschool, as well as the abuse of a blonde girl aged four.

There were also records of horrifying Skype chats, where he allegedly said he wanted to “capture something small and use it for days”.

Child abuse images are also said to have been linked to Brueckner during the searches, as well as masks, chemicals and guns.

The hard drive seized by police contains images taken in Portugal that have made investigators believe that Madeleine died after her disappearance, The Sun reported.

A nude selfie links the suspect directly to the Arade Dam, a key location 35 miles from where Madeleine vanished in Praia da Luz.

A full search of the area was prompted by a dog running onto the site in 2016, which found a grave. Detectives later discovered Brueckner’s dead dog, which was above a wallet with six USB sticks and two memory cards containing highly disturbing material.

Christian Brueckner is the main suspect in the case (Image: Getty)

Portuguese police said on Monday they were carrying out warrants from German prosecutors to search 21 plots of land near where Madeleine went missing. The case was initially handled by the Portuguese authorities alongside the Metropolitan Police.

German investigators took the lead in 2020, when they identified German national Christian Brückner as their prime suspect, who is currently serving a sentence in Germany for the rape of a 72-year-old American tourist in Portugal in 2005.

While German police suspect him of murder, although they have not found enough evidence to bring charges.

British police continue to treat the case as a missing persons investigation. Portuguese authorities have also named Brückner as a formal suspect, or “arguido”.

Brückner has repeatedly denied any involvement and no charges have been brought against him relating to her disappearance.