Madeleine McCann police find 'clothing and bones' in latest search update
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Investigators probing Madeleine McCann's vanishing have dispatched minuscule fragments found during last week's dig to Germany for analysis.
The search near where the British toddler vanished, a spot frequented by convicted German sex offender Christian Brueckner, 38, seemed fruitless last Thursday as detectives came up empty-handed in finding solid clues linked to the case.
However, it has emerged that small pieces of clothing and bone were unearthed, potentially linking Brueckner, the prime suspect for German authorities, to the crime. A source disclosed to the 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."
The specimens are currently undergoing tests in Germany, with law enforcement optimistic they might yield a forensic breakthrough in a mystery that has baffled sleuths since 2007, when three year old Madeleine disappeared from her holiday flat in Praia da Luz as her parents dined nearby.
Brueckner is nearing the end of his prison term after his 2020 conviction for raping an elderly American tourist in 2005 at the same resort where Madeleine was last seen, reports the Express.
He has been under suspicion in the McCann case since 2020, though he hasn't faced formal charges and denies any involvement.
Just last week, German officers scoured an area near where the young girl vanished, deploying cutting-edge ground-penetrating radar in hopes of a breakthrough.
Initial reports suggested that the search yielded little beyond animal remains and adult garments as prosecutors hurry to stop Brueckner from being set free.
Brueckner was found guilty in 2016 of assaulting a five year old in a park, with incriminating images discovered on his computer, leading to a 15-month jail term.
After getting out of prison, Brueckner allegedly told a mate in a pub during the 10th-anniversary coverage of Madeleine's disappearance that he "knew all about" what had happened to her.
In the same year, he supposedly mentioned to someone else that Maddie "did not scream", but the credibility of this witness has been questioned.
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Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Madeleine McCann cops probe ‘gun found during Praia search' after Brueckner had owned pistols
Prime suspect Christian Brueckner is said to have carried a gun during his time in the Algarve 'GUN FIND' 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 area of scrubland above Praia da Luz, searched last week. Advertisement 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: Dan Charity 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. Watch The Sun's exclusive documentary on the Maddie case here However, prime suspect Christian Brueckner, 48, is said to have carried a gun during his time in the Algarve. Advertisement 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. Advertisement '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 Germany said anything of value would be retained by German investigation leads. 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. Advertisement This comes just hours after it was reported cops sent samples from their search in Portugal for testing. The three-day search had widely been labeled a flop after police appeared to leave the site next to Praia da Luz empty-handed last week. 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. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement '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 Advertisement
North Wales Chronicle
3 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Mike Lynch's sunken superyacht to be lifted in late June as debris is found
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North Wales Chronicle
3 hours ago
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Al Qaida-inspired student who stabbed MP can be freed from prison
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