Warning: This article contains references to child abuse and sexual assault that some readers may find distressing.
Authorities have issued a significant update in the case of Madeleine McCann, following the discovery of troubling evidence at a property linked to the main suspect.
Madeleine McCann, a three-year-old British girl, went missing on May 3, 2007, from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Despite an extensive Europe-wide investigation, her whereabouts remain unknown more than 15 years later.
Christian Brueckner was named as the prime suspect several years ago. In 2016, a suspected grave was uncovered near a disused factory in Neuwegersleben, central Germany—property that Brueckner is believed to have purchased a year after Madeleine’s disappearance. He has consistently denied any involvement in the case.
Now, an investigation by The Sun has shed light on what was allegedly found at the scene.
Alleged Evidence Found at Brueckner’s Property
Authorities reportedly discovered the remains of Brueckner’s deceased dog buried at the site. Alongside it, a wallet containing six USB sticks and two memory cards was recovered.
Further searches reportedly uncovered disturbing items inside the property, including over 70 children’s swimsuits, children’s clothing and toys, as well as masks, chemicals, three guns, and ammunition.
Christian Brueckner is the main suspect in Madeleine McCann’s case but no charges have been brought against him (Carabinieri Milano via Getty Images)
What was allegedly discovered on Brueckner’s USB and hard drive devices?
The USB and hard drives devices reportedly contain highly disturbing material confirming Brueckner’s alleged obsession with kidnapping children, records of Skype chats with paedophiles talking about children, and shocking child abuse images.
Written stories were also allegedly discovered, describing drugging a mom and daughter and abusing a four-year-old girl.
A photograph of Brueckner also allegedly links him to a location close to where Madeleine vanished.
It’s reported images found on the devices are ‘crucial’ evidence Madeleine likely died shortly after she went missing.
Months after the search was conducted in 2016, Brueckner was arrested and convicted of child abuse – unconnected to Madeleine’s case.
Madeleine McCann went missing at the age of three (FindMadeleine.com)
Previous cases against Brueckner
After images were discovered on his laptop, in February, 2016, Brueckner was convicted for abusing a five-year-old girl in a park. He went on the run but was then arrested in September, 2018 in Italy and extradited to Germany the next year.
In December, 2019, after his DNA was matched to the crime scene, Brueckner was found guilty of the rape of a woman in Praia da Luz in 2005 and sentenced to seven years – a sentence he is still currently serving.
He was later named as a suspect in Madeleine’s case in 2020, with German prosecutors stating for the first time they believe the missing girl is no longer alive.
However, in October 2024, Brueckner was cleared of carrying out five sex offences in Portugal between 2000 and 2017 and prosecutors also haven’t charged him in relation to Madeleine’s case.
The Sun’s full investigation airs on Channel 4 at 9pm (GMT) today (May 7).