McCann Suspect Brueckner's Release Moved to 2024

Christian Brueckner, the main suspect in the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann, could be released from prison as early as September 17, 2024, after a fine of about €1,450 related to forgery and bodily harm was paid by a former employee of Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office. This payment moves his anticipated release date forward from January 2026. Brueckner is currently serving a sentence for raping an elderly American woman in Portugal, and he continues to deny involvement in the McCann case. The woman who paid the fine has stated the payment was a misunderstanding and has unsuccessfully tried to reverse it. Despite ongoing international investigations, Brueckner has not been charged in connection with Madeleine’s disappearance. Recent searches in the Algarve have not produced significant new evidence.