It’s been more than 18 years since three-year-old Madeleine McCann vanished from her family’s holiday apartment in Portugal, sparking a global mystery and media firestorm that has never truly faded.
Now, a major development has reignited public interest — and painful hope.
On June 3, German and Portuguese police launched a new search operation in the Algarve region, close to where convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner once lived. Brueckner has been named as the prime suspect in the case since 2020, but no charges have ever been filed in connection with Madeleine’s disappearance.
This new operation is focused on an area between Praia da Luz — where Madeleine was last seen in 2007 — and a small house Brueckner previously rented.
Reports say around 30 German officers and forensic experts have joined Portuguese authorities in the effort. Dirt roads have already been sealed off, and white tents have appeared in the countryside near the cottage once tied to Brueckner.
According to The Mirror, the goal is tragically clear. A Portuguese source close to the case stated bluntly: “They will be land searches only. The main objective is to look for any signs of Madeleine’s body.”
Remains skeptical
Former British detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who has long followed the case, shared more grim details on X:
“The police in Portugal are going to search for the German police — the areas surrounding where Christian B (CB) rented a small farm building.”
He added that the focus of the search is “evidence of Madeleine McCann’s body,” noting: ”It was 10 months before Madeleine went missing that CB was last seen at that address.”
