Everything we know as police issue major update on Madeleine McCann after finding evidence which 'indicates she's dead'
Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse and rape which some readers may find distressing
An investigation has revealed what evidence was discovered at a property owned by the main suspect in Madeleine McCann's case in 2016.
On May 3, 2007, a three-year-old girl from Britain named Madeleine McCann disappeared from a holiday apartment complex in Praia da Luz, Portugal.
A Europe-wide police investigation was immediately launched, but over 15 years on, it's still not been ascertained what happened to her.
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Several years ago, a man named Christian Brueckner was named the prime suspect in Madeleine's case after a dog led authorities to a suspected grave on the side of disused factory he owned in Neuwegersleben, central Germany. Brueckner has repeatedly denied any involvement.
An investigation by the Sun has now revealed what evidence was allegedly discovered.
Evidence discovered at Christian Brueckner's property
The grave was reportedly found to contain the remains of Brueckner's deceased dog, alongside a wallet with six USB sticks and two memory cards inside.
Brueckner allegedly bought the disused factory the year after Madeleine's disappearance.
Alongside the technological devices, children's clothes, including over 70 children's swimming costumes, and toys, as well as masks, chemicals, and three guns and ammunition were reportedly found.
What was allegedly discovered on Brueckner's USB and hard drive devices?
The USB and hard drives devices reportedly contain highly disturbing material confirming Brueckner's alleged obsession with kidnapping children, records of Skype chats with paedophiles talking about children, and shocking child abuse images.
Written stories were also allegedly discovered, describing drugging a mom and daughter and abusing a four-year-old girl.
A photograph of Brueckner also allegedly links him to a location close to where Madeleine vanished.
It's reported images found on the devices are 'crucial' evidence Madeleine likely died shortly after she went missing.
Months after the search was conducted in 2016, Brueckner was arrested and convicted of child abuse - unconnected to Madeleine's case.
Previous cases against Brueckner
After images were discovered on his laptop, in February, 2016, Brueckner was convicted for abusing a five-year-old girl in a park. He went on the run but was then arrested in September, 2018 in Italy and extradited to Germany the next year.
In December, 2019, after his DNA was matched to the crime scene, Brueckner was found guilty of the rape of a woman in Praia da Luz in 2005 and sentenced to seven years - a sentence he is still currently serving.
He was later named as a suspect in Madeleine's case in 2020, with German prosecutors stating for the first time they believe the missing girl is no longer alive.
However, in October 2024, Brueckner was cleared of carrying out five sex offences in Portugal between 2000 and 2017 and prosecutors also haven't charged him in relation to Madeleine's case.
The Sun's full investigation airs on Channel 4 at 9pm (GMT) today (May 7).
UNILAD has contacted Brueckner's representative for comment.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org
Topics: Crime, Madeleine McCann, Police, True crime, World News
Poppy Bilderbeck