Madeleine McCann 'evidence' found in abandoned houses by search teams
Madeleine McCann 'evidence' found in abandoned houses by search teams
German and Portuguese police have been searching abandoned properties near Praia Da Luz in Portugal, where Madeleine went missing 18 years ago.
Search teams investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann clearing branches at a derelict property
(Image: PA )
A search team investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have taken samples of potential evidence.
German and Portuguese police have been searching abandoned properties near Praia Da Luz in Portugal, where Madeleine went missing 18 years ago. The teams were seen using shovels, pickaxes and chainsaws to clear dense vegetation and dig near a derelict building.
Fresh searches for Madeleine began in countryside a few miles from Praia da Luz on Tuesday, with firefighters spotted pumping water to drain a well. Madeleine, who was aged just three at the time, vanished while on holiday with her family in the Algarve resort after her parents went out to dinner and left her sleeping in a room with her toddler twin siblings.
Madeleine McCann
(Image: PA )
While another member of the search team cleared large rocks, about a dozen officers focused on one abandoned building where digging was taking place.
As reported by the Daily Express, investigation teams have taken samples of potential evidence from properties near Praia Da Luz in Portugal.
Article continues below
The search is being carried out at the request of the German investigators, as they look for evidence that could implicate Christian Brueckner. The prime suspect is currently in prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005. He is due to be released from jail in September if no further charges are brought.
Brueckner was cleared by a German court of unrelated sexual offences in October last year, alleged to have taken place in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.
It has been reported teams will look where trenches were dug near the resort at the time of Madeleine's disappearance, at wells, ruins and water tanks, and there are plans to examine 21 pieces of land. The Metropolitan Police said they were aware of the operation but British officers will not be present.
German investigators and Portuguese officers last carried out searches in 2023, near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz. Brueckner, who spent time in the area between 2000 and 2017, had photographs and videos of himself near the reservoir.
It has been reported that search teams have taken away evidence
(Image: PA )
It was previously searched in 2008, when Portuguese lawyer Marcos Aragao Correia paid for specialist divers to search it, after he claimed to have been tipped off by criminal contacts that Madeleine's body was there. British police were later given permission to examine scrubland near where she vanished in 2014.
Last month Madeleine's family, who are from Rothley in Leicestershire, marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance, describing her as "beautiful and unique", before her 22nd birthday, and vowed to continue the search.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Article continues below
A statement from her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, and the family, said: "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."
In April, ministers approved more than £100,000 in additional funding for Scotland Yard detectives investigating Madeleine's disappearance.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Evening Standard
an hour ago
- Evening Standard
The Gold Season 2 on BBC One review: still a criminally good time
Even with only scattered historical references here and there, it's a romp. We return to the bowels of the Met Police, where DCS Brian Boyce (Hugh Bonneville) and his loyal deputies have been slogging away trying to chase down a trail that's gone very cold indeed. They narrowly missed nabbing convict John Palmer (Tom Cullen, suave as ever) at the end of season one; now, he's living the high life in Tenerife, swindling British tourists by selling them timeshare flats.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Major update in search for missing woman after man arrested for 'murder'
Yajaira Castro Mendez, 46, who is originally from Colombia, went missing from Ilford at the end of May, and following police enquiries a murder probe was launched alongside a search to track down her remains A man has been arrested after the discovery of the body of a missing 46-year-old woman in east London. Investigators were conducting a search for Colombian national Yajaira Castro Mendez, 46, after she was last seen in Ilford at the end of May. Though formal identification is yet to take place, Yajaira's next of kin have been informed and are now being supported by specialist officers. After her disappearance, police carried out extensive enquiries and decided to launch a murder probe. They then carried out searches through Hampshire's Bolderwood area earlier today, where they discovered human remains. Lead investigator Detective Inspector Jay Gregory, said: 'This is a very sad development in the investigation and are thoughts are very much with Yajaira's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. "We continue to appeal to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to please come forward.' On Friday, June 6 a man known to Ms Mendez appeared in court charged with her murder and was remanded into custody, reports MyLondon. Juan Toledo, 51, from south-east London, appeared at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Friday charged with her murder. After the man was arrested, the Metropolitan Police urged anyone with information to come forward. Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who leads policing in Camden, said yesterday: 'Officers have been working around the clock to find Yajaira. She has not been seen or heard from by her family or friends since the date she was reported missing. 'Yajaira's disappearance was initially treated as a missing person investigation led by local officers. The investigation was then transferred to the Met's Specialist Crime Command on Thursday, 5 June after a range of extensive further enquiries very sadly suggested she has come to harm. Yajaira's family continue to be supported by specialist officers, and we are keeping them updated with developments. 'I understand the impact this news may have on our local community, however we do have a man charged and in custody and we are not searching for anyone else at this stage. The man and Yajaira are believed to be known to each other. 'Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances and there are crime scenes in place across Camden and Lambeth. We thank the community for their patience while we carry out our enquiries and ask that any one with information please comes forward.' Anyone with information relating to the woman's disappearance is asked to contact police via 101 or @MetCC quoting CAD 3020/06JUN25. Alternatively, contact charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Body found by police investigating disappearance of woman
A body has been found by police in the search for a Colombian woman who disappeared after leaving her east London home. Yajaira Castro Mendez, 46, was reported missing to the Metropolitan Police on May 31 having left her home in Ilford on the morning of May 29. Her family has been told about the discovery of the body, which was found during searches in Hampshire's Bolderwood area on Saturday, but formal identification has yet to be made. Detective Inspector Jay Gregory, who is leading the investigation, said: 'This is a very sad development in the investigation and our thoughts are very much with Yajaira's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. 'We continue to appeal to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to please come forward.' A post-mortem examination has yet to take place. The police said a man who was known to Ms Castro Mendez appeared in court on Friday charged with her murder and was remanded into custody. Her disappearance was initially treated as a missing person investigation led by local officers. The investigation was then transferred to the Met's Specialist Crime Command on June 5, after a range of extensive further inquiries suggested she had come to harm. Police were at a scene in Gray's Inn Road, Camden, on Friday as part of their investigation.
