German police have finally spoken up, describing the recent search for Madeleine McCann as “very constructive”.
Clothing and bones have been sent for forensic analysis. The Olive Press reports that two firearms were also found.
Last week, the high-profile search for Madeleine McCann was largely regarded as unsuccessful when police appeared to leave the site near Praia da Luz empty-handed. However, new developments might change that perception.
German authorities have confirmed that fragments found during a renewed search for the missing British toddler Madeleine McCann are currently undergoing forensic testing — raising hopes that these pieces could finally connect suspect Christian Brueckner to her disappearance in 2007.
The three-day search took place last week at a secluded location in Portugal where Brueckner, 38, is thought to have camped in the past. During the excavation, police discovered items including clothing and what seemed to be bones, in an area locally referred to as Brueckner’s “rat run.”
According to The Sun, although the bones were initially thought to belong to an animal, prosecutors have retained them for thorough forensic examination.
The collaborative effort between German and Portuguese police forces was characterized as “very constructive” by Hans Christian Wolters, the chief prosecutor in Braunschweig, indicating a rare sense of optimism in a case that has been mired in sorrow and obstacles.
As reported by The Olive Press, two firearms were discovered during the search conducted last week.
“We found two guns in total, but we are unsure if they are connected to Christian Brueckner or his crimes,” a source informed The Olive Press.
“We have received very little information, but we also uncovered several bones, which are likely not human, along with some bone fragments. All of these have been sent to Germany for a forensic examination by specialists,” the source further explained.
Images from the location
The area being investigated is close to where Madeleine disappeared from a resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007, just days prior to her fourth birthday. Despite many years of global focus and numerous leads, she has yet to be located.
Images from the location depict police utilizing heavy machinery and ground-penetrating radar to examine the area. While initial reports deemed the results inconclusive, today’s update signifies a possible turning point.
Christian Brueckner, who is now 48 years old, is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for the rape of a woman in Praia da Luz in 2005 — merely two years before Madeleine went missing. He has denied any connection to her case, but German authorities insist he is still the primary suspect.
A newly released documentary titled “Madeleine McCann: Inside the Secret Evidence” provides a more in-depth look at Brueckner’s history.
The film disclosed a disturbing collection of items allegedly discovered at his previous factory hideout, such as children’s swimwear, a toddler’s bicycle, toys, masks, and weapons. It also explained how Brueckner had previously written about using the chemical ether to kidnap a mother and her child from a preschool.
However, without forensic evidence linking him to the Maddie McCann case, prosecutors indicate they might find it challenging to obtain the warrant necessary to keep him incarcerated. Brueckner is anticipated to be released in September 2025 — unless the police uncover something new.