McCann suspect admits beach presence on night of disappearance

Christian Brueckner, the German police's chief suspect in the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann, has admitted he was on a beach 150 yards from her holiday apartment on the night she vanished. Brueckner, who has prior convictions for rape, theft, drug trafficking, and sexual abuse of children, told journalists he was in Praia de Luz selling drugs.

German detectives allege Brueckner abducted the three-year-old Madeleine McCann from her holiday flat in May 2007 while her parents were dining nearby. Brueckner, aged 49, has consistently denied any involvement in her disappearance and had not previously disclosed his whereabouts on the night she went missing. He told The Mail on Sunday that police were actively searching for Madeleine and that he was stopped three times while selling drugs.

Brueckner described being in Praia da Luz and stated, "I was on the beach, not far from Maddie’s hotel, selling drugs. I’d been in Spain and smuggled weed into Portugal." He added that police stopped him three times in the street while they were looking for Madeleine. Brueckner said he was making a "quick getaway" due to the presence of flashing blue lights and checkpoints, believing they were searching for him.

Although Brueckner has never been formally charged with Madeleine's abduction and murder, German police named him as their chief suspect in 2020. Detectives stated they possessed compelling evidence linking Brueckner to the vicinity of the McCann's holiday accommodation, including a mobile phone registered in his name that was traced nearby. Brueckner suggested he disclosed his presence because "police want to frame me for the Maddie thing."

Brueckner's activities have been subject to extensive investigation in his native Germany. He was previously jailed for six years for the rape of a 72-year-old American tourist in Praia de Luz. His criminal record also includes convictions for two other rapes, theft, drug trafficking, and sexual abuse of children. Reports suggest Brueckner is planning to release a memoir, with some speculating a book deal could yield a seven-figure sum.