Convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner has been released from prison in Germany this week, despite being the main suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Brueckner, aged 49, had completed a sentence for assaulting an elderly woman in Portugal, close to where Madeleine went missing eighteen years ago. His extensive criminal history dates back to his teenage years, and authorities have been scrutinizing his involvement in child-related crimes for an extended period.
An ITV documentary features insights from legal experts, criminologists, and investigative journalists who have been monitoring developments in the case. The program delves into the evidence and accusations against Brueckner to determine his potential role in the abduction and potential murder of the three-year-old Madeleine.
Criminologist Graham Hill revisits the Algarve region for the first time since 2007, when Madeleine disappeared from a holiday rental in Praia de Luz while vacationing with her family. Kate and Gerry McCann, her parents, had put Madeleine to bed alongside their younger twins before dining at a nearby restaurant with friends. Upon Kate’s return to check on the children at 10 pm, she found Madeleine missing from her bed, leading to a frantic search initiated by Portuguese authorities.
Hill, a former senior detective from Surrey police with expertise in child abduction cases, recounts his attempts to aid the investigation in Portugal, expressing concerns about potential oversights. He reconnects with journalist Rob Hyde, who has been monitoring Brueckner since 2020 when German law enforcement identified him as a primary suspect in the case.
Hyde recounts a pivotal event in 2016 when authorities were alerted to a deserted factory owned by Brueckner in central Germany. Following a tip-off, Hyde and Hill visit the fenced-off site, uncovering disturbing evidence, including a stash of USB sticks containing graphic child abuse material attributed to Brueckner.
The recovered items, including over 70 children’s swimming costumes found in Brueckner’s Winnebago, suggest a pattern of disturbing behavior. Brueckner’s relocation to Portugal in the mid-90s after his initial conviction for child abuse, his transient lifestyle between Germany and Portugal, and prior encounters with the law further underscore his questionable character.
Despite facing multiple charges related to child abuse, technicalities in legal proceedings have impeded Brueckner’s prosecution, leaving lingering suspicions of his involvement in Madeleine McCann’s case. German prosecutors maintain their belief in Brueckner’s guilt but lack concrete forensic evidence to secure a conviction.
The documentary “Madeleine McCann: Searching For The Prime Suspect” aired on Wednesday, September 17, and is accessible on ITVX.