Christian Brueckner
](https://i0.wp.com/static.standard.co.uk/2021/05/02/ 15/PRI183034725.jpg?resize=656%2C437&ssl=1) via [Evening Standard](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/christian-brueckner-official-suspect-madeleine-mccann-case-portugal-arguido-b995627.html) ## **A Huge Breakthrough On Madeleine McCann’s Case** Madeleine disappeared on May 3, 2007, just days before her fourth birthday, from her family’s vacation home in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Christian Brueckner, who was already in jail on an unrelated rape allegation, was named as a formal suspect by German police. Before Madeleine went missing, the notorious sexual predator traveled from Praia da Luz and Germany in a camper van for the last several years. Despite an almost 15-year investigation, zero charges have ever been brought against a suspect. And now, it is reported that detectives are now concentrating their forensic investigation on the vehicle. #### **He is serving a sentence in Germany for raping a 72-year-old lady in 2005, in the very same town in which Madeleine disappeared.** > _“The legal grounds for making (Christian B) an arguido include the fact that > he allegedly confessed to a friend he had snatched Madeleine and mobile phone > records placed him in Praia da Luz the night she vanished.”_ > _– A Portugese source from Sky News_  Source: [7news.com.au](https://7news.com.au/news/world/christian-brueckner-charged-over-madeleine-mccann-disappearance-almost-15-years-since-she-vanished-c-6534845#l29k3upbofq2ms911we) **More Reading**: * [Madeleine McCann Seen In Paraguay Reports Say](https://stayathomemum.com.au/news-of-the-day/madeleine-mccann-seen-in-paraguay-reports-say/) * [Parents of Missing Madeline McCann Fight Claims They Faked Her Disappearance](https://stayathomemum.com.au/news-of-the-day/parents-of-missing-madeline-mccann-fight-claims-they-faked-her-disappearance/) Christian Brueckner, a guy in his mid-40s, is now a suspect after reportedly admitting to kidnapping Madeleine at a German pub on the tenth anniversary of her disappearance. After being notified that he was an official suspect, Christian B remained silent and refused to be questioned. He has denied any involvement in Madeleine’s abduction. Despite rumours that Scotland Yard planned to stop its investigation after 11 years, Portuguese officials stated earlier this month that they would keep investigating. According to police, ending their long-running cold case investigation was **_“absolutely out of the question.”_** > “_Police and prosecutors in Portugal will be acutely aware of the time limits > hanging over the case._ > _Our statute of limitations brings with it the probability that within a matter > of weeks, the person responsible for her disappearance may never be brought to > justice in the country where she vanished even with an arrest and confession._“ > _Anonymous Lisbon-based lawyer_ Kate and Gerry McCann, her parents, celebrated what would’ve been their child’s 18th birthday last year.  > **“We hang on to the hope, however small, that we will see Madeleine again,** > _As we have said repeatedly, we need to know what has happened to our lovely daughter, > no matter what. We are very grateful to the police for their continued efforts._ > _We still receive so many positive words and good wishes despite the years that > have gone by. It all helps and for that, we are truly grateful – thank you.”_ > – Kate and Gerry McCann  Clare Whitfield Chief Editor Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work. [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [ ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)