German police are currently searching the Trade Dam reservoir in southern Portugal in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, a British girl who disappeared at the age of 3 in 2007 in Praia de Luz. Their search is linked to their prime suspect, Christian Brueckner. But who is he and why do German authorities believe he is involved in the case? Here’s what we know…
Who is Christian Brueckner?
Brueckner is a German citizen currently serving a prison sentence for rape in Praia da Luz. Most recently in 2020, he was implicated in the Madeleine McCann case, with police alleging he was the man they believed was behind the kidnapping and murder of Maddie.
WATCH: The revealing theory of how Madeleine McCann’s kidnapper could have known her parents were at a nearby restaurant
The convict lived in Portugal from 1995 to 2007 and is currently serving a seven-year sentence after raping a 72-year-old American woman in 2005. He has been charged with a number of sex crimes, including including contact with children and three counts. rape. period 2000 – 2017.
Following the indictment, a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office in Braunschweig said: “The defendant is the person charged in connection with the disappearance of 3-year-old British girl Madeleine Beth McCann.
© GettyImages of what the missing child Madeleine McCann would have looked like at the age of six
“Specifically, the defendant is charged with three counts of aggravated rape and two counts of child molestation. The investigation into Madeleine McCann’s disappearance continues.”
Why is Christian Brueckner involved in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance?
Brueckner’s camper is said to have been discovered near where Madeleine went missing in 2007, and he told a friend in 2017 that he knew everything about what happened to her. German authorities officially named him a prime suspect in 2022.
Portuguese authorities are launching a new search operation amid the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance in 2023.
The tank currently being searched is about 30 miles from where Maddie was taken out of her room in Praia de Luz and is believed to be Brueckner’s favorite place to visit, and the convicted sex offender calls it “” My little paradise”.
© Photo: Getty ImagesMaddie disappeared at the age of 3
Speaking to the BBC about the current search for the reservoir, which had been previously searched in 2008, former police officer Jim Gamble said German authorities “went further and said they believed Madeleine was dead. and was killed in Portugal”.
MORE: Kate and Gerry McCann share messages for daughter Madeleine on her 20th birthday
MORE: Madeleine McCann’s parents share investigative update on disappearance anniversary
“Given that they are pursuing these lines of investigation in such an active and direct manner, I expect this to be a very cautious, direct and focused pursuit.” He added that he believes the police have “more information than they are sharing with the public, so in the end they will try to confirm what issues they have assumed.”
© Photo: Getty Images Madeleine disappeared in 2007
German authorities released a brief statement about their search for the reservoir, which read: “As part of the investigation into the Madeleine McCann case, measures are currently being taken in relation to ongoing criminal process in Portugal. Measures taken by… Portuguese law enforcement agencies with the support of officials [German] Federal Criminal Police Office. No further background information will be released at this time.”
Don’t want to miss the story? Sign up for our What to Watch newsletter and get informed about the shows and movies people are talking about.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education