Madeleine McCann Suspect Christian Brückner to Be Released Soon

Local authorities confirmed that Christian Brückner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, is set to be released from prison within weeks. Currently serving a sentence in northern Germany for a rape conviction, Brückner will be released by September 17, 2023, at the latest, according to Hans Christian Wolters, the lead prosecutor in the investigation into the toddler’s disappearance.

Wolters expressed concerns about Brückner’s potential danger to the public but noted that legal constraints necessitate his release. “He is not just our number one suspect, he’s the only suspect,” Wolters stated. Despite the gravity of the situation, Brückner has never been charged with any crime related to McCann’s disappearance and continues to deny any involvement.

Madeleine McCann vanished from her family’s apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007, while her parents dined nearby. The case has captivated public attention across Europe, becoming one of the most high-profile missing persons investigations in history. At the time of her disappearance, McCann was just three years old, and her parents had regularly checked on her and her younger twin siblings before her mother discovered she was missing at approximately 22:00 local time.

Brückner, a 48-year-old German national, has been named the primary suspect based on evidence suggesting he was in the area when McCann disappeared. Wolters noted that, while they have substantial evidence linking Brückner to the case—evidence that has reportedly strengthened over the past five years—there is insufficient proof to secure a formal charge.

The legal approach to the case diverges between Germany and the United Kingdom. German authorities suspect Brückner of murder, while British police classify McCann’s disappearance as a missing persons case. Despite the lack of a charge, Wolters remains determined to pursue the investigation, stating, “We have evidence which speaks against [Brückner], which indicates that he is responsible for the disappearance and the death of Madeleine McCann.”

In anticipation of his release, prosecutors are seeking to impose restrictions on Brückner, potentially including an electronic monitoring device. These conditions will be decided during a court hearing that will not be open to the public.

Brückner, who has a lengthy criminal history, including prior convictions for sexual offenses against children, lived for many years in the Algarve region of Portugal. His mobile phone data and the sale of a vehicle have been linked to the ongoing investigation. Currently, he is serving time for the rape of a 72-year-old American tourist in Portugal in 2005.

In June, German and Portuguese authorities conducted a fresh search of land between the McCann family’s accommodation and locations associated with Brückner. While this search yielded no significant breakthroughs, items collected during the investigation are still undergoing analysis. Wolters emphasized that the inquiry has not been a failure, although he acknowledged that the process might appear to have lost credibility after five years without a breakthrough.

Last year, Brückner was cleared of separate charges of rape and sexual abuse in an unrelated German trial. The ongoing complexities of the case and the potential release of Brückner continue to raise concerns about public safety and the unresolved status of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance.