The German authorities who are investigating the man they believed kidnapped Madeleine McCann have offered a grim, but not wholly surprising, update. They now believe the 3-year-old was killed shortly after she was kidnapped.
The prime suspect in the case is currently Christian Brückner, a German who is in jail for a separate crime. In a piece published in The Times, Christian allegedly told a man online that he planned to abduct, sexually abuse, and then kill a young girl. The man he spoke to asked what Christian would do if he were caught, and he simply replied, "Meh, if the evidence is destroyed…"
Hans Christian Wolters, who is leading the investigation, also told the paper that "My private opinion is that he relatively quickly killed the girl, possibly abused her and then killed her. We believe our suspect committed further crimes, especially sexual crimes, in Portugal possibly but also elsewhere like Germany."
In the graphic online exchange, Christian Brückner when on to write, "Then I'll record maaaany videos/clips. I'll document in detail how she's being tortured."
The police found the conversation while also investigating the disappearance of Inga Gehricke. Inga vanished on the eighth anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance.
The team working against Christian Brückner is hoping to move quickly on the case, as he could be released from prison as soon as today. He is currently serving 21 months for dealing drugs, but he is up for parole because he has completed the majority of his sentence.
The prosecutor explained that time is working against the team: "The sooner we get evidence, the better for us to avoid the risk of him ever being released. If we find nothing new against him it could be that in seven years at the latest he may be released and leaves Germany for a country that doesn't extradite."
The prosecutor also added that even if they can't tie him directly to Madeleine's case, he's hopeful that they can attach Christian to at least two other crimes against children. "If we don't solve the McCann case perhaps we can prove he committed one or two other crimes, which might be enough to keep him in prison permanently in preventive detention."
Christian Brückner has repeatedly assaulted and abused women and girls. He is currently appealing a seven-year sentence he received after raping a 72-year-old American woman near the villa where Madeleine and her family stayed in Portugal. However, authorities found video evidence at a nearby farmhouse, along with video evidence that he raped and tortured a second woman and a teenage girl.
Another woman, Hazel Behan, has also asked authorities to review the details of her own assault and rape case. She was abused 12 miles from the same villa, Praia da Luz. Additionally, families of Louise Kerton, Peggy Knobloch, and Jaïr Soares are asking if authorities believe Christian may have been the perpetrator against their loved ones.
Throughout the years, Madeleine's parents have always insisted that they really are just looking for closure. While they would love to have Madeleine back, they need to know what happened to her so they can properly grieve and move forward. It's had to have been absolutely infuriating and emotionally debilitating to go so long without answers.
The family's spokesperson, Clarence Mitchell, explained, "All they have ever wanted is to find their daughter. To establish the truth of what happened back in May 2007 and to bring whoever is responsible, whether that's one person or more, to justice. They have never given up hope of finding Madeleine alive, even now despite all these grim reports that are emerging, because they haven't had anything to suggest the worst has happened."
He went on to add, "However, they are very realistic, and the police are keeping them closely informed. Whatever the outcome may be from this; however it develops; whether this man was involved; whether the German police are right in what they believe has happened, they still need to know. Because they say they need peace. They need to find peace. And I think everybody can understand that."
Madeleine would have turned 17 on May 12, 2020, and her parents honored her with a post on Facebook. Kate and Gerry McCann wrote, "I don't think any of us could have predicted the situation we all find ourselves in currently. It shows how easy it is to become complacent with our lives and circumstances, albeit a totally normal and understandable, human characteristic."
"It is now 13 years since we were last with Madeleine. Her 17th birthday is to follow in the next couple of weeks….the latter tangibly, painfully, bringing it home to us what we have missed and continue to miss as a family.
"We are very conscious that many families around the world are experiencing similar feelings at this time……being separated from each other and with many having lost loved ones prematurely and unexpectedly. There will also be many vulnerable people whose situation will have become even more precarious in the current lockdown conditions, with fear, worry and isolation – emotions that we dreaded Madeleine experiencing and which haunted us for a long time – and still do on occasions. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those suffering at this time."
"We have been fortunate to spend more time together as a family since lockdown began, an enforced block to a usually frenetic life, a silver lining to this dark cloud. It has made us think about Madeleine even more, as she would have shared this period of special closeness with us too.
"The investigation to find Madeleine remains open and continues, even though, in a way different to the ideal. We remain grateful for the ongoing efforts and commitment from all those involved in the search to find her and we hope and pray, as always, that our efforts will be fruitful."
"Thank you to everyone still offering their support and good wishes for Madeleine and ourselves. Such solidarity continues to strengthen us. Thank you.
"Please take care and please spare a thought or prayer for Madeleine and all missing children this weekend. Here's hoping that more 'normal', safe and happy times are close at hand."
