Ever find a real-life legal drama more compelling than anything you could find on TV?
Right now, that is happening with Christian Brueckner, the German man suspected of killing Madeleine McCann. On its own, the story would be sensational enough considering the involvement of McCann, especially considering that she was only three years old when she disappeared, subsequently becoming the most famous missing persons case in history.
However, Brueckner is a convicted rapist who is now seeking early release. He is also the main suspect in the murder of Madeleine McCann, and a possible early release could spell doom for the lawyers seeking justice for the young girl.
What’s the deal with Brueckner’s attempts at early release? What are his ties to McCann, and why are her family’s lawyers getting ready to spring into action? Keep reading to find out!
Who was Madeleine McCann?
On May 3rd, 2007, 3-year-old British girl Madeleine McCann disappeared from a holiday apartment in Portugal. She has never been seen since, and nobody is technically aware of her final fate. However, German prosecutors remain convinced that she was murdered and that her killer remains at large. Her parents are also convinced that she was killed and are eager to get justice for the murder of their daughter.
At first, the young girl’s parents were the prime suspects in her disappearance and possible murder. However, they were cleared after a court in Portugal found no evidence that they were behind her disappearance. On one hand, that was good news, confirming that the parents weren’t behind anything nefarious regarding their own child. However, the bad news was whoever was behind this little girl’s disappearance and possible murder was still at large.
Who is the prime suspect in her murder?
So far, nobody has been convicted for the murder of Madeleine McCann. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a suspect, though. Prosecutors believe the man responsible for her murder is Christian Brueckner, a 48-year-old German man who is currently in jail. He’s not there because of McCann, though…rather, he is serving time in a German prison because he was convicted in 2019 of raping an American woman in 2005.
The rape he was convicted of occurred at the same Portuguese resort that Madeleine McAnn disappeared from. Now, the girl’s parents are convinced that Brueckner killed their daughter and are all too happy to see him behind bars. Now that the rapist is seeking early release, though, the parents’ lawyers are scrambling to legally tie the man to McAnn’s death.