Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, may have buried or hidden evidence relating to the disappearance of the British tot in addresses he previously occupied, a former flatmate says
A man who lived with the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has urged police to carry out an extensive search as he believes the paedophile has buried crucial evidence.
Thomas Hertel knew Christian Brueckner well after the pair lived together in a children’s home. Thomas believes the sexual deviant has concealed evidence that could be crucial in learning what happened to Madeleine. He is urging police to search everywhere he has lived in the past.
Thomas, 51, told the Sunday Mirror: “I am sad. The parents deserve that Maddie is found. I didn’t think they would find anything in Portugal, but I do think they might find something if they dig more in Germany.
“I would like to see them search everything in all the places where Christian lived. Brueckner doesn’t say the truth, so it’s really important that they find some proof so they know what really happened.”
Christian Brueckner has taunted police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in a letter.
It comes after it was reported a British man and his German wife might be responsible for the toddler going missing.
Reports from Portugal claim German police refused to act upon Portuguese authorities’ request for an investigation into the couple, alleged to have hit Madeleine in a drink driving incident.
Do you know the British woman who reported her concerns to police in 2018? Call the news desk on 0207 293 2015 or email [email protected]
KEY EVENT
Former detctive brands search ‘pointless’ and based on ‘sketchy’ information
Former British Police detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who has worked on some of the world’s most high profilemissing persons cases, has given his take on the new searches for Madeleine McCann. He started the six-minute rant on X by saying: “So no surprise the search in Portugal has come to nothing.”
He went on to speak about the ‘very sketchy’ information the new search was based on and the huge amounts of money being ploughed into the case.
Read the full story here.
Ryan Fahey
Suspect’s neighbour described him as an ‘angry young man’
A former neighbour of prime suspect Christian Brueckner in Portugal described the convicted paedophile as an “angry young man”.
The neighbour, who lived in the same town where Madeleine disappeared back in 2007, recalled hearing Brueckner having frequent domestic arguments with his then girlfriend. At the time of Madeleine’s disapperance, Brueckner – often described as a drifter character – was living in Praia da Luz.
The neighbour told The Independent: “If I was riding past and he’d be standing outside, we’d say hello, you know, how are you,” she said. “Nothing more. Then we found out he was a really nasty piece of work.”
Ryan Fahey
Madeleine McCann prime suspect’s ex-flatmate is ‘sure he left evidence somewhere’
A former flatmate of Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner has called on German police to carry out more searches. Thomas Hertel, who lived with the convicted paedophile in the same children’s home, believes the fiend has buried crucial evidence yet to be found and wants the authorities to search all of his previous addresses.
He spoke after German and Portuguese officers concluded their latest seemingly fruitless search near Praia da Luz, where she disappeared in May 2007. Thomas, 51, told the Sunday Mirror: “I am sad. The parents deserve that Maddie is found. I didn’t think they would find anything in Portugal, but I do think they might find something if they dig more in Germany.
“I would like to see them search everything in all the places where Christian lived. Brueckner doesn’t say the truth, so it’s really important that they find some proof so they know what really happened.”
‘I lived with Maddie McCann prime suspect – I’m sure he left evidence somewhere’
Ryan Fahey
Are cops in the UK still investigating Maddie’s disappearance?
While Portuguese police had mostly been leading the charge into the investigation of little Madeleine’s disappearance, a parallel taskforce has continued on British soil.
The Metropolitan Police’s investigation, dubbed Operation Grange, was dramatically downsized last year to just one detective chief inspector, two detective constables and a single member of police staff. At the time, the Met said the investigative team is under constant review, with resources being allocated in line with updated information about the case.
DCI Mark Cranwell, who oversees the British investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann told The Mirror: “We continue to support Madeleine’s family to understand what happened on the evening of 3 May, 2007 in Praia da Luz. Our thoughts remain with the family. “
Patrick Hill
Madeleine McCann prime suspect’s ex-flatmate is ‘sure he left evidence somewhere’
A former flatmate of Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner has called on German police to carry out more searches.
Thomas Hertel, who lived with the convicted paedophile in the same children’s home, believes the fiend has buried crucial evidence yet to be found and wants the authorities to search all of his previous addresses.
He spoke after German and Portuguese officers concluded their latest seemingly fruitless search near Praia da Luz, where she disappeared in May 2007.
Thomas, 51, told the Sunday Mirror: “I am sad. The parents deserve that Maddie is found. I didn’t think they would find anything in Portugal, but I do think they might find something if they dig more in Germany.
To read more, click here.
Anders Anglesey
Were British officers involved in latest search?
The Metropolitan Police confirmed British officers had not been present in the latest German and Portuguese searches.
Investigators used chainsaws, diggers and shovels in a bid to find any clue tat could shed light on the fate of Madeleine.
Anders Anglesey
What is new Maddie theory?
A devastating new theory into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann emerged as officers called off a new search in southern Portugal.
Portuguese authorities demanded an investigation into a British man and his German wife who might have killed the toddler in a drink-drive accident.
The claim emerged after his sister tipped off police in 2018, claiming he could be covering up a dark secret.
Madeleine McCann vanished in 2007 (
Image:
PA)
Anders Anglesey
Officials yet to comment on potential discoveries
German and Portuguese investigators, who led the latest search for Madeleine McCann have yet to comment on any potential discoveries that were made.
Crews took few soil samples and some animal bones after three days of searches but found little other information that they have made public.
Anders Anglesey
Madeleine McCann suspect boasts cops ‘will never’ pin Madeline disappearance on him
Convicted rapist Christian Brueckner, 48, boasted German police would never pin the disappearance of Madeleine McCann on him.
He taunted police, asking: “Is there a body? No, no, no.”
In a letter published by the Sun, he said: “Was I or my vehicle clearly seen near the crime scene on the night of the crime?
“Is there DNA evidence of me at the crime scene? Are there DNA traces of the injured party in my vehicle?
“Are there other traces/DNA carriers of the injured party in my possession? Photos? And, not to forget, is there a body/corpse? All no, no no.”
Anders Anglesey
How much has UK spent of operation to find Madeleine McCann?
The UK has spent several million pounds in its efforts to find out any information about Madeleine McCann.
Funding given to Operation Grange has reached more than £13.2million since 2011.
As of 2022, there were five Metropolitan police officers who were working on the case.
Anders Anglesey
Praia da Luz residents hope for closure
The residents of Praia da Luz have said they hope the family of Madeleine McCann will “get closure.”
Long-term residents in the resort town said they hoped the search would bring the family much-needed closure.
Speaking to the BBC, residents said: “We hope her family get closure.”
Paige Ingram
Rescue expert says Madeleine “will never come home”
Grey Bull Rescue founder Bryan Stern has weighed in on renewed search for Madeleine McCann. In a six-minute interview he told Fox News: “She will never come home, that would be a miracle that she’s alive. Not even knowing that she’s dead is painful. That by itself is very, very, very,very hard, it’s the hardest part of my job by far.”
Grey Bull Rescue founder Bryan Stern (
Image:
fox news)
Paige Ingram
Six major questions from Christian Brueckner’s letter
A vile letter from the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has raised some questions over the case. While Christian Brueckner has gloated that police will never pin the case on him without a body his letter raises six major questions in the police investigation.
Read the full story here.
Paige Ingram
Madeleine McCann suspect ‘told police decisive questions can never be answered’
Christian Brueckner, who is in prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005, reportedly sent a letter to officers saying questions which would implicate him in the Madeleine McCann case cannot be answered
More details on the note, seen and translated by The Sun newspaper, Brueckner reportedly wrote can be found in our full story here.
Elizabeta Ranxburgaj
Prime suspect writes sick new letter from prison
A letter penned by Christian Brueckner from prison has been released. The convicted paedophile wrote that police wouldn’t find any evidence linking him to the Madeleine McCann case, according to The Sun.
Part of the chilling note said: “Is there a body? No, no no.”
He also claimed that accusations against him “will not hold up and that the investigation will be dropped”.
Read the full story here.
Elizabeta Ranxburgaj
Four words top German detective said before the search was ditched
The head of the German force that led the fresh hunt for evidence in Madeleine McCann’s case shared a four word statement yesterday.
Rainer Grimm, boss of the BKA, Germany ’s equivalent of the FBI, was in southern Portugal to oversee the search.
His apparent lack of confidence in the operation to his pal appeared to echo reports that Portuguese police also had low hopes for the latest operation. When a friend wished Grimm luck the police boss reportedly said: “Thanks, we need it.”
Read the full story here.
Elizabeta Ranxburgaj
Pictured: The end of the latest search for Madeleine
The renewed search for Madeleine McCann led by German police officially ended yesterday after just three days.
No major evidence linked to the toddler’s disappearance was believed to have been found by cops on the search. Despite this, German and Portuguese investigators were pictured standing in a circle debriefing after the end of the hunt.
They were spotted clapping, hugging and passing out a case of beers.
An officer with a crate of beer after the end of the search for Madeleine McCann yesterday (
Image:
PA)
Elizabeta Ranxburgaj
Five chilling words from Brit at the heart of a new Madeleine theory
The British man at the heart of the new Madeleine McCann dissapearance theory was reportedly overheard saying five chilling words.
A Portuguese newspaper today reported that German police did not investigate a couple claimed to have hit the toddler in a drunk-driving accident. The paper said the sister of the unnamed man, at the centre of the new theory, tipped off police in the UK in 2018.
The local newspaper also said another witness, described as the couple’s neighbour, separately told cops she heard the pair rowing the next day and overheard the man screaming: “Why did you bring her?”
Read the full story here.
Elizabeta Ranxburgaj
German prosecutors allegedly refused to probe a British couple, new theory claims
A bombshell new theory into Madeleine McCann’s disappearance has dropped just hours after police called of a new search in southern Portugal.
Portuguese authorities allegedly demanded an investigation into a British man and his German wife following a theory they could have killed the toddler in a drink-driving accident.
The claim emerged after his UK-based sister tipped off cops, in 2018, saying she thought he could be covering up a dark secret about Madeleine’s disappearance.
The claim was revealed by the Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha but police are yet to respond to the report.
Elizabeta Ranxburgaj
Pictured: The cottage the main suspect was believed to be living in near Praia da Luz
Christian Brueckner had lived a few miles away from the spot where Madeleine McCann went missing 18 years ago. He has been the prime suspect in this case since 2022 but this week’s search of his old property and other areas in southern Portugal did not find evidence of the toddler.
At the time of Madeleine’s disappearance he lived in a cottage a short drive away from Praia da Luz.
The cottage where Christian Brueckner was reportedly staying, in southern Portugal, at the time the toddler went missing (
Image:
PA)
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
Recap: What is the new Maddie theory?
A British woman tipped off police in Portugal back in 2018 that her brother and his German wife were involved in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in 2007, a Portuguese newspaper has claimed today.
The woman says her brother – who is now believed to have died – helped his wife get rid of the toddler’s body by dumping her at sea.
She claims, according to today’s reports, that her brother’s German wife had been drinking heavily in a bar near near the Ocean Club the night Madeleine went missing from the Algarve resort.
It is belived the Portuguese police, who wanted to pursue the lead with an undercover operation, were dismissed by German police who were soley focusing on their main suspect, convicted rapist Christian Bruckner.
The news comes as German and Portuguese police end a three-day search of a 120-acre area which contains 20 plots of land east of Praia da Luz, between the Ocean Club holiday resort where Madeleine vanished and the cottage where German authorities say Breuckner lived.
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
Prime suspect faces new charges
Christian Brueckner – the prime suspect in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance – is facing yet another court case that could keep him locked up in jail for another year.
The 47 year old is due to be released in September and has been ordered to appear before judges in the German city of Oldenburg on October 27 on charges of verbally abusing prison guards.
The case comes just weeks after he was convicted of similar charges committed at another jail as prosecutors desperately continue to fight to keep him behind bars.
Commenting ahead of the newly scheduled hearing, Brueckner’s lawyer Philipp Marquort told the Mirror: “They’re clearly just trying to get him charged and to make sure he stays in jail.
“They’re trying to do everything to get more time. It’s basically the same as the recent court case in Lehrte, but in this case with the prison staff in Oldenburg. He’s just accused of calling a member of the prison staff some names.
Read the full exclusive story here: Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner ordered to face fresh court case
Christian Brueckner with one of his defence team Philipp Marquort (
Image:
Phil Harris)
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
Five chilling words from British man
The British man whose German wife reportedly hit Maddie with her car was overheard yelling at her, according to a neighbour who spoke to police.
She reportedly heard the pair rowing the day after the three-year-old disappeared back in 2007.
She told detectives she heard the man yelling: “Why did you bring her?” over and over again.
Portuguese police are reportedly said to have got the knock-back from the Germans after urging them to look more closely into the possibility the woman had driven home “drunk” with Maddie after hitting her and enlisted her husband’s help in disposing of her body at sea.
The claims were made today in Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha.
Martin Fricker
‘I covered Maddie case 18 years – I pray search solves mystery’
It feels like it’s last-chance saloon for the German investigation – with Brueckner due to be released in months. Their public announcement claiming they had evidence that Madeleine was abducted and had been killed stunned the world in June 2020.
But nothing has emerged since that makes me think they have definitely got their man. I really hope this search will be the one that solves Madeleine’s disappearance.
Read the full story here: Exclusive: ‘I’ve covered Madeleine McCann for 18 years – I pray new search solves the case’
Liam Doyle
Search estimated to have cost £300,000
The latest phase of the search in the Algarve is estimated to have cost up to £300,000, the Times reports, with police records showing that the total costs for Operation Grange – the Met Police task force that oversees the Madeleine McCann investigation – having received more than £13 million.
The Algarve investigation is estimated to have cost £300,000 (
Image:
PA)
Liam Doyle
New drone footage shows search area from above
New footage captured by drones at the scene of the search shows the expansive site where search efforts have taken place this week.
Video Loading
Madeleine McCann: Drone footage of the investigation search area
Liam Doyle
Police processing ‘limited’ material gathered at scene
Local Portugese media outlets are reporting that some material gathered at the scene of the search on Wednesday is being processed.
The material, which is reportedly limited, according to Correi de Manha, is being tested to see if it contained anything relevant to the investigation. Despite the large-scale search, animal bones and clothing are among the only findings declared since it began earlier this week.
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
‘Chance of a breakthrough in Maddie McCann case is slim’
Former Met Detective Chief Inspector Peter Kirkham has explained in this exclusive article how this week’s searches are not just the police going over old ground – but he warned that the chance of a breakthrough was small.
The main difference was that on this occasion, officers were not just working from the crime scene but working back from a possible suspect – Christian Brueckner – too.
This provided a very different context for the investigation as a whole and for the searches in particular but the importance of this is often overlooked.
Read Peter Kirkham’s opinion in full here: Exclusive: ‘I’m an ex-Met Police cop – why this new Madeleine McCann search is different’
Peter Kirkham is a former Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector (
Image:
MDM)
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
Where did the search take place?
A search map has detailed the chilling 13-minute drive between the Praia da Luz hotel and a mysterious abandoned villa which has been the subject of an intenstive three-day search this week.
The investigation started off on Tuesday with detectives scouring a 120-acre area for evidence that could link prime suspect Christian Brueckner to her disappearance.
He is coming to the end of a seven-year long prison sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old woman in the Algarve in 2005, which he still denies.
Search teams are scouring more than 20 plots of land east of Praia da Luz, between the Ocean Club holiday resort where Madeleine vanished and the cottage where German authorities say Breuckner lived.
The chilling 13-minute drive between Praia da Luz hotel and a mysterious abandoned villa
KEY EVENT
What we know so far about new Maddie theory
A British woman tipped off police in Portugal back in 2018 that her brother and his German wife were involved in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in 2007, a Portuguese newspaper has claimed today.
The woman says her brother – who is now believed to have died – helped his wife get rid of the toddler’s body by dumping her at sea.
She claims, according to today’s reports, that her brother’s German wife had been drinking heavily in a bar near near the Ocean Club the night Madeleine went missing from the Algarve resort.
It is belived the Portuguese police, who wanted to pursue the lead with an undercover operation, were dismissed by German police who were soley focusing on their main suspect, convicted rapist Christian Bruckner.
Maddie has been missing since 2007 (
Image:
Women’s underwear spotted at search site
Little remains of the remote farms buildings where the searches took place – many of which are covered in graffiti.
The search teams have cut back all the trees and bushes around them.
They also cleared the area around an old drainage well – full of rancid water – which appears to have been part of the search.
Four pairs of what looks like discarded women’s underwear can also be seen outside one of the buildings.
An old drainage well was cleared (Image: Phil Cardy)
Search stopped but no human remains found
A few strips of police tape tied to the bushes are all that’s left to show a three day search had taken place for Maddie.
German police, assisted by their Portuguese colleagues, scoured three derelict buildings on a 50 hectare sight between Praia da Luz and Lagos.
Officers used a JCB digger to clear rubble from the scene – but it is understood nothing apart from animal bones has been found.
A number of hikers are today walking the coastal path close to the search scene in the morning sunshine.
Over a dozen officers took part in the search but now all their vans and equipment – including a ground penetrating radar – have gone.
Police using a digger during their search on Wednesday (Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
British police release female suspect e-fit
An e-fit of a woman officers want to speak to in relation to the disappearance of Maddie was previously released by British police as part of their ongoing investigation.
The woman is a “person of interest” to Operation Grange – which is run by the Met Police in London and funded by the Home Office.
The Find Madeleine Campaign says: “This is an e-fit picture of a woman aged 30-35 years, approx. 5ft 2” tall, who was behaving suspiciously in the area of the Port Olimpic Marina in Barcelona in the early hours of May 7th 2007.
“She is a person of interest to the inquiry – as yet, unidentified.
“If you know or suspect who she is – please contact the investigation hotline 0207 321 9251.”
An e-fit of an unidentified woman of interest
Kate and Gerry McCann stay silent on police searches
Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann are not commenting during the “active police investigation”, staff at the Find Madeleine Campaign have said.
In their latest post, on Saturday May 3, they said: “As we arrive at the 18th anniversary of Madeleine’s abduction, we’d like to thank our faithful supporters once again for standing by us and never forgetting about Madeleine.
“The years appear to be passing even more quickly and whilst we have no significant news to share, our determination to ‘leave no stone unturned’ is unwavering. We will do our utmost to achieve this.
“May is also the month which includes ‘International Missing Children’s Day’ (25th). We continue to remember all missing children and their families, both here in the UK and abroad, thinking especially of all the children displaced from their homes & families in Ukraine & Gaza at this time.
“We’re very grateful to the UK Charity, ‘Missing People’ for their ongoing, invaluable work, & to all organisations, charities and police forces who remain committed, despite many challenges and limited resources, to finding & bringing home the many missing and abducted children.
“May is also Madeleine’s birthday – her 22nd this year.
“No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day. We continue to ‘celebrate’ her as the very beautiful and unique person she is.
“We miss her.”
Parents Kate and Gerry back in June 2007 (Image: PA)
Share
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
Suspect seen carrying child
As early as May 26, 2007 – just 23 days after the missing British girl went vanished without a trace – police issued a description of a man seen on the night of Madeleine’s disappearance, possibly carrying a child.
That person has never been identified but an e-fit of the “suspect” was later released.
It is not known if this is linked to the “drunk British/German couple” theory which has been revealed for the first time today.
Composite e-fit of potential suspect
Share
KEY EVENT
Undercover plan rejected
Portuguese detectives wanted to launch a undercover operation to test the theory that a drunk German woman killed Maddie with her car, before enlisting the help of her British husband to help her get rid of the toddler’s body.
It is reported that German authorities rejected the Portuguese request to use an undercover police officer with a fake identity to try to befriend the female suspect.
They wanted to firm up their suspicions, according to Portuguese daily newspaper Correio da Manha, that she was driving a car that hit Madeleine while under the influence of alcohol.
Share
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
Is Christian B still the prime suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance?
Convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner is due to be freed from prison in Germany in September after finishing a seven-year sentence for rape.
Although German authorities have named 47-year-old Brueckner as their sole Madeleine McCann suspect, and he is also an official suspect in Portugal, he has yet to be charged over the British youngster’s disappearance.
Christian Bruckner will be released this year
Share
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
Portuguese police silence over new claims
Portuguese police who have reportedly been sitting on this information for seven years are yet to respond to the remarkable claims.
German and British officers have also remained tight-lipped.
Share
KEY EVENT
Bombshell about Brit at heart of new theory
The unnamed British man who is reported to be at the heart of a new theory, where his drunk wife knocked over Maddie with her car, is believed to be dead.
The Portuguese newspaper revealing the dramatic new information this morning has also stated that it in not clear if his German wife is still alive.
The newspaper also claimed the mystery British man had always “refused to tell his sister if he had been involved in Madeleine’s death” before she alerted the authorities.
Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha’s website today
Share
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
German and Portuguese cops at Maddie search
This week German and Portugeuse police teams have been hunting for the missing three-year-old’s remains as they painstakingly go over ground near to where she disappeared.
German officers armed with pick-axes, shovels, hi-tech radar and chainsaws painstakingly searched for clues that could solve the case.
They carried away boxes of soil, a children’s car seat and white bags filled with unknown contents.
And then it all came to an end. As quickly as the German and Portuguese search teams arrived, they were gone, after cordial handshakes and a round of applause.
German detectives handed a crate of beer to Policia Judiciaria officers as a thank you – but there appeared little to celebrate.
Read Mirror reporter Martin Fricker’s full story here as he joins the police on the ground in Praia da Luz
Police at the search (Image: PA)
Share
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
‘Drunk’ couple’s neighbour spoke to cops
The British/German couple’s neighbour also spoke to police about what she heard the night Maddie went missing, it has been claimed.
She reportedly heard the pair rowing the day after the three-year-old disappeared.
She told detectives she heard the man yelling: “Why did you bring her?” over and over again.
Portuguese police are reportedly said to have got the knock-back from the Germans after urging them to look more closely into the possibility the woman had driven home “drunk” with Maddie after hitting her and enlisted her husband’s help in disposing of her body at sea.
Composite e-fit of potential suspect
Share
KEY EVENT
British woman at centre of new claims
A British woman is reported to have tipped off police as long ago as 2018.
She is the sister of an unnamed man at the centre of a new theory about Madeleine’s disappearance.
Describing the mystery couple – a British man and his German wife – as “alcoholics” they place the woman in a cafe near the Ocean Club where she had been “drinking” the night Madeleine went missing from the Algarve resort.
Madeleine (right) was just 3 years old when she vanished from Praia da Luz (Image: PA Wire/PA Photos)
Share
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
Christian B was “only focus”
The Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha has claimed: “German prosecutors were asked to authorise a covert police operation with someone posing as a friend of the woman’s and trying to get her to confess, but the courts refused.
“It was decided to continue solely with the investigation into suspect Christian Brueckner, rejecting other possibilities.”
Share
Natalia Penza
‘UK police tipped-off with new theory’
It has been claimed that the woman of the British man told investigators that she heard the man yelling: “Why did you bring her?”
Portuguese police are reportedly said to have got the knock-back from the Germans after urging them to look more closely into the possibility the woman they were tipped off about had driven home “drunk” with Maddie after knocking her down and enlisted her husband’s help in disposing of the “youngster’s body at sea.”
