Major Madeleine McCann update as police find evidence which 'indicates she's dead'

Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse and rape which some readers may find distressing

A police report has found disturbing evidence in suspect Christian Brueckner's home which suggests missing girl Madeleine McCann is no longer alive.

It's now been 18 years since Madeleine McCann went missing at the age of three, with the British toddler last being seen at a holiday apartment complex in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007.

Her disappearance prompted a Europe-wide police investigation, however, for many years, authorities were no closer to uncovering what happened to the young girl.

However, in 2016, a dog found a suspected grave on a man named Christian Brueckner's property - a disused factory in Neuwegersleben, central Germany.

The grave was found to contain the remains of Brueckner's deceased dog, alongside a wallet with six USB sticks and two memory cards inside.

And other evidence discovered by police at the disused factory that Brueckner allegedly bought the year after Madeleine's disappearance has since come to light, detailed within an investigation led by The Sun.

The outlet reports the contents of the USB sticks and memory cards found at Brueckner's property 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.

Alongside the technological devices, children's clothes, including over 70 physical children's swimming costumes, and toys, as well as masks, chemicals, and three guns were reportedly found at the factory. A case also revealed images of girls aged between four and five years old.

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.

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.

Madeleine McCann went missing at the age of three in 2007 (FindMadeleine.com)

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 - Brueckner repeatedly denying any involvement.

The Sun's investigation follows Madeleine's parents marking the 18th anniversary of her disappearance, noting while they had 'no significant news to share' their 'determination to 'leave no stone unturned' is unwavering'.

The statement resolved: "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."

The Sun's full investigation airs on Channel 4 at 9pm (GMT) today (May 7).

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