Madeleine McCann search LIVE: Cops begin ‘now or never' hunt in race against time to nail suspect Christian Brueckner
German police face a ticking clock to finally get enough evidence to charge prime suspect Christian Brueckner.
will focus on extensive groundworks that took place at the time she vanished.
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A
police
theory is the three-year-old or her pyjamas might have been dumped in trenches near the
where her family were staying in May 2007.
At least 30 agents from Germany's FBI — the BKA — acting on a tip-off arrived in
on Monday.
They are equipped with ground-penetrating radar that can scan 15ft below the surface.
The search area will include a cottage half a mile away used by the main suspect, German-national
, 48, and nearby scrubland.
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The area was a rat run for prolific thief
and leads to the property where he raped a US woman in 2005 — for which he is currently in a
.
A source said: 'It's now or never.'
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The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Madeleine McCann cops probe ‘gun found during Praia search' after Brueckner had owned pistols
MADELEINE McCann cops were investigating two objects uncovered during their search described by local media as 'guns'. Portuguese daily newspaper Correio da Manha reported two firearms had been found in the 6 Madeleine vanished on May 3, 2007, while on holiday with her family in Praia da Luz in Portugal 6 Christian Brueckner is believed to be the lead suspect in the girl's disappearance 6 Two firearms had been found in the area of scrubland above Praia da Luz Credit: PA One of the handguns was dismissed as 'irrelevant' to the McCann investigation and linked to another probe. The other weapon, found in a well, was said to be more modern. Both were described as rusty and historic with cops expecting neither to hold Maddie links. However, prime suspect Read more on World A Sun investigation revealed he previously owned two antique pistols. A Portuguese investigator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said of the gun reports: 'The objects found are very old and very rusty. 'I'd describe them almost as archeological artefacts.' Another well-placed insider added: 'One has already been ruled out as having any connection to the Maddie inquiry. Most read in The Sun 'A separate investigation is underway to try to establish how it ended up where it did and what exactly it is.' Reports claimed all the objects and samples taken from the search were set to be tested in Portuguese capital Lisbon. Madeleine McCann cops probe samples of 'clothes & bones found in new Praia da Luz dig' for links to suspect Brueckner Sources in Luis Neves, the National Director of the Policia Judiciaria police force insisted last Friday the searches had 'not been in vain' despite the apparent lack of results. This comes just hours after it was reported cops sent samples from their search in Portugal for testing. The had widely been labeled a flop after police appeared to leave the site next to empty-handed last week. TIMELINE OF EVENTS HERE'S a timeline of the case which has gripped the world. May 3, 2007 January 15, 2016 Neighbour reports a possible 'grave' at Brueckner's abandoned factory in East Germany. Cops find disturbing 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, 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 German media later name him as 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 Prosecutors launch an appeal, however. Decision pending. September 17, 2025 Date on which Prosecutors require an arrest warrant for a retrial over claims from last year - or over the McCann case. But eagle-eyed police did find tiny fragments, which they are speculating could have links to Maddie after prime suspect Brueckner wild camped at the site. The samples were 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 Without evidence pinning it to the 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.' 6 One weapon, found in a well, was said to be more modern Credit: Dan Charity 6 Police have been searching various sites in and around the resort of Pria du Luz Credit: Dan Charity 6 Cops were investigating two objects uncovered during their search Credit: PA
Dublin Live
15 hours ago
- Dublin Live
'Clothing and bones' found during dig for missing Madeleine McCann
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Police are probing elements like 'clothes and bones' found in the recent quest for Madeleine McCann, according to reports. Investigators from Germany and Portugal finished a three-day examination of a vast area in Lagos, Portugal, on Thursday, digging for fresh clues against main suspect Christian Brueckner. Although initial feedback indicated last week's search - 30 miles away from where Madeleine vanished as a three year old in May 2007 - had come up empty-handed, it's now been hinted that fragments of clothing and bones were unearthed and are set for analysis this week, reports the Irish Mirror. The probe marked the first of its kind since 2023 and saw the teams comb through undergrowth and long-abandoned buildings, including an abandoned farmhouse. One insider conveyed to Berlin Morning Post: "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." It has been revealed that Christian Brueckner, currently imprisoned for raping a 72 year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005, once penned a letter to the police regarding the Madeleine McCann case, stating "decisive questions can never be answered". Brueckner is believed to have sent a note to authorities proposing a list of questions that would implicate him in the disappearance of the three year old girl. (Image: PA) German media outlets have seen the note where Brueckner allegedly wrote: "It is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered. "Was I or my vehicle clearly seen near the crime scene on the night of the crime? Is there DNA evidence of me at the crime scene? Are there DNA traces of the injured party in my vehicle? Are there other traces/DNA carriers of the injured party in my possession? Photos? And, don't forget, is there a body/corpse? All no, no no." The timing of the letter's composition remains uncertain. Meanwhile, a recent documentary has highlighted alarming circumstantial evidence found at an old warehouse previously owned by Brueckner in Neuwegersleben, Germany. The Sun reports that during a search of the property, police uncovered over 70 children's swimsuits, a toddler's bicycle, inflatable toys, and a trove of images stored on an 80GB hard drive, purportedly taken in Portugal. Additionally, they discovered a laptop, masks, and guns, as well as a handwritten narrative detailing the abduction of a woman and child from outside a preschool using drugs. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. 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. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Major breakthrough in Madeleine McCann case as new evidence uncovered
Investigators involved in the probe into Madeleine McCann's disappearance 18 years ago could strengthen their case against the prime suspect, Christian Brueckner, after new evidence emerged, a forensic expert has claimed. The Mirror reports how a disturbing new documentary into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal in 2007 has uncovered new evidence at Christian Brueckner's home, including photographs of young children in swimwear, toys and horrific stories of kids being kidnapped. Among the evidence was an 80gb hard drive that contained images, as well as a laptop key. The hard drive also placed Brueckner at the centre of the search location in the Arades Dam area, with the documentary reporting that the German suspect wanted to "capture something small and use it for days". Professor of Forensic Science at the University of Kent, Robert Green, believes discovering "musk, guns, and hard drive" may warrant a more "thorough investigation" into Brueckner's past. He told The Mirror: "The discovery of items such as a musk, guns, and particularly the hard drive, indicates a potential link to further criminal activity, which may warrant a more thorough investigation of the suspect's past. "The rationale behind the renewed search could stem from the ongoing pursuit of justice in the Madeleine McCann case and the hope that any additional evidence could lead to a breakthrough. Investigators continually assess existing evidence and pursue lines of inquiry they believe could be fruitful, especially in cases that have remained unresolved for many years." A letter from Brueckner, who denies any involvement in the disappearance of the British girl, which was recently discovered is believed to have been targeted at police in Germany and their attempts to connect the convicted criminal to Madeleine's disappearance in Portugal. German publication Bild quotes the note as reading: "Are there any traces of her in my vehicle? Any other traces of her in my possession? Photos? Is there a body? No, no, no." Brueckner was also placed at the location of a search for Maddie by a document in which he allegedly said "she did not scream" as he discussed the British toddler with an associate. He also shared a harrowing kidnapping story, including: "A very small girl enters the room. She's definitely not older than five." Last week, the latest search for clues into the disappearance of Madeleine was launched by both German and Portuguese authorities. The search, conducted between Praia da Luz - where Madeleine disappeared on May 3, 2007 - and the area where Brueckner resided lasted a number of days. It's understood that Brueckner spent time in Praia de Luz between 2000 and 2017 and his home was quite close to the Ocean Club, the accommodation in which the McCann family were staying when she suddenly disappeared.
