Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007 shortly before her fourth birthday. The young child went missing from the Portuguese holiday resort where her family had been vacationing. Her parents had put young Madeleine and her two siblings to bed, shortly before going out to dinner nearby. It was during this time in which she is believed to have been abducted from their apartment. The case has since been subject to a great deal of international media attention.

On Thursday, Christian Brueckner was named a formal suspect in the case. This is the first occasion in which a formal suspect has been named in the case since 2007, when Madeleine’s parents were under investigation. 

Brueckner, a German citizen, is currently serving imprisonment in relation to raping an elderly woman in Portugal, and is a convicted paedophile

A statement was released by the Faro Department of Criminal Investigation and Prosecution (DIAP) which said, ‘As part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in 2007, a person was made an arguido on Wednesday.’ An arguido being a formal suspect. 

Prosecutors have noted that British and German officials have been cooperative in the ongoing investigation. 

Madeleine’s parents have previously stated, ‘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.’ 

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Photo Credit: Sky New