HANOVER, GERMANY – Christian Brueckner, the convicted sex offender and prime suspect in the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann, has been released from a German prison after serving his sentence for an unrelated rape conviction. His release marks a pivotal and frustrating moment in the long-running, international investigation into the missing British toddler.
Brueckner, 49, left the high-security Sehnde prison near Hanover on Wednesday morning after completing a seven-year sentence for the 2005 rape of an elderly American woman in Praia da Luz, the same Portuguese resort where three-year-old Madeleine vanished.
While no charges have ever been brought against him in the McCann case, German prosecutors have publicly named him as their primary suspect and are treating the case as a murder inquiry. British and Portuguese authorities continue their separate investigations, with Brueckner also remaining a suspect in the Metropolitan Police’s “Operation Grange.”
Refusal to Cooperate
In a significant development just days before his release, Brueckner rejected a formal request from the Metropolitan Police to be interviewed. The request, made through an “international letter of request,” was refused, as confirmed by British police. This decision is seen as a major setback for investigators who had hoped to question him about his movements and confront him with witness statements.
Despite this refusal, British and German authorities have stated they will continue to pursue all viable lines of inquiry. A German court has reportedly imposed conditions on Brueckner’s release, including the requirement to wear an electronic tag, report to probation services, and surrender his passport, citing fears he might try to leave the country.
Ongoing Investigation and Past Developments
The investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance has seen a number of recent developments:
- Continued Searches: Authorities from Germany, Portugal, and the UK have conducted several recent searches in Portugal, with the latest taking place near the Barragem do Arade reservoir in June. Brueckner is known to have spent time in this area and had photos of himself near the dam. Â
- Cleared of Other Charges: In a separate legal matter, Brueckner was acquitted by a German court last October of several unrelated sexual offenses alleged to have occurred in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. The court cited insufficient evidence and unreliable witnesses. Â
- Funding and Resources: The Metropolitan Police’s investigation, Operation Grange, has received over £13.2 million in funding since 2011, with additional government funds secured earlier this year to continue the work.
Madeleine McCann disappeared from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007, while her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were having dinner at a nearby restaurant. The case has captured international attention for over 18 years, with Brueckner at the center of the inquiry since being publicly identified as a suspect in 2020. He has consistently denied any involvement in the case. Sources and related content
