Christian Brueckner, the suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, marked his release from prison by enjoying a meal at McDonald’s. Dressed in a burgundy shirt and looking pale from his time in solitary confinement, Brueckner went unnoticed as he savored a cheeseburger at the fast-food restaurant.
Shortly after completing a seven-year sentence for rape, Brueckner left Sehnde prison and traveled towards Hamburg with his lawyer. They made a stop at a fast-food joint where they were escorted by police. Brueckner, 48, indulged in a cigarette before ordering a cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, and sweet and sour sauce, which he consumed outside.
Following a brief stay at the restaurant, Brueckner and his lawyer departed for an undisclosed location. Despite being named the prime suspect in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance, prosecutors have not pressed charges against him yet. Brueckner was released from prison but is under strict conditions, including wearing an ankle tag for five years as part of his probation.
Additionally, Brueckner must maintain regular contact with a probation officer and inform them of any address changes. Violating these terms could result in a three-year prison sentence or a fine. He is also scheduled to appear in court next month on charges of insulting a prison officer.
Despite ongoing investigations, authorities have not made progress in charging Brueckner in connection to Madeleine’s case. He was previously acquitted of sex crime allegations in Portugal and continues to deny any involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance. Prosecutors are awaiting the outcome of an appeal lodged against the previous verdicts.
German search teams recently conducted a thorough search in Portugal for evidence related to the case. Brueckner was residing in a rundown farmhouse near Praia da Luz at the time of Madeleine’s disappearance in 2007.