German Police Urge UK to Reopen Madeleine McCann Investigation
German authorities are urging British investigators to reopen the Madeleine McCann case swiftly, fearing their prime suspect could be released without new charges before further evidence is gathered.
Race Against Time
The suspect, Christian Brückner, a German national and convicted sex offender, is due for release in September 2025, with his current rape sentence concluding then
With that looming deadline, German police intensified searches in Portugal—covering wells, derelict buildings, reservoirs, and wooded areas near Praia da Luz and Atalaia, sites linked to the 2007 disappearance
The Latest Searches
From June 2 to June 5, over 30 German and Portuguese officers executed a multi-day operation using drones, diggers, ground-penetrating radar, and no-fly zones
Hundreds of acres near Madeleine’s last-known location were meticulously searched—including areas around Barragem do Arade and Atalaia reservoir
No major breakthrough was reported, though minor finds like clothing and animal bones were sent for further analysis.
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Plea for UK Collaboration
German police have called on the UK’s Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service to reopen the investigation before Brückner is released
The Metropolitan Police is currently observing and stands ready to assist if required
High Stakes & Public Interest
Brückner, convicted in 2019 of raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz, denies involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance
In 2020, German prosecutors declared Madeleine “presumed dead” and identified Brückner as the prime suspect
Residents of Praia da Luz, exhausted by nearly two decades of attention and tourism related to the case, are expressing fatigue and concern
Enduring Search & Hope
Now marking 18 years since her disappearance (May 3, 2007), Madeleine’s parents continue to press for closure. UK ministers have pledged extra funding for the Metropolitan Police’s inquiry
Despite the absence of progress, there is still hope that concrete evidence could materialize, supporting new charges or bringing relief to a long-time agony.
Final thought
German police are working fervently to gather evidence before September 2025, when Brückner may be released from prison. Their message is clear: without prompt British reinvolvement, the prime suspect could walk free—and critical opportunities to build a case may vanish.