Christian Brueckner, the suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, has been acquitted of all charges in a separate sexual assault trial. The 47-year-old faced allegations in Portugal of raping women and indecent exposure to children in the Algarve, unrelated to the Madeleine case, which he vehemently denies any involvement in.
In 2020, German and British authorities identified him as a key suspect in the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine in May 2007 from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, while her parents Kate and Gerry, from Rothley, Leicestershire, were out dining nearby. Although prosecutors have stated they believe Madeleine is deceased, they have not disclosed their evidence.
Following Brueckner’s acquittal, a source close to Madeleine’s parents commented today: “They will not be commenting on Brueckner. They have never commented on him.”
Previously, in what seemed like a significant lead, Helge Busching, an ex-associate of Brueckner, contacted Scotland Yard with information, claiming that Brueckner had chillingly remarked “she didn’t scream” during a conversation about the case in a Spanish bar in 2008. In court, Detective Constable Mark Draycott testified about following up with Busching: “Back then we still had a public phone number which was publicized around the world.”
Busching, facing terminal cancer, took the stand in a court in Braunschweig, Germany, which has been in session since February. He had previously painted a frightening picture of the paedophile, claiming him to be “really dangerous.” Further adding weight to his testimony, he declared: “He must be brought to justice and he must be punished. We were not good friends back then and we will certainly never be good friends in the future.”
The acquittal of Christian Brueckner has rekindled interest in the long-standing case of Madeleine McCann. The McCanns, who have consistently maintained their dignity in the face of intense media scrutiny, declined to make any comment regarding Brueckner’s trial outcome. The search for answers in Madeleine’s disappearance continues, with investigators and the public eager for any leads or breakthroughs that may bring closure to this heart-wrenching case.