After years of speculation and investigation, the suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been acquitted of rape charges in Germany.
Christian Brückner, a 43-year-old German man, was named as a prime suspect in the case earlier this year. He is currently serving a prison sentence for drug trafficking and is also facing charges for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal in 2005.
However, on Tuesday, a court in Braunschweig, Germany, ruled that there was not enough evidence to convict Brückner of the rape charges. The decision was based on DNA evidence that was found to be inconclusive.
Brückner’s lawyer, Friedrich Fülscher, stated that his client was “relieved” by the verdict and maintained his innocence in the McCann case.
Madeleine McCann was just three years old when she went missing from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. Her disappearance sparked a worldwide search and has remained a high-profile case for over a decade.
Brückner has been a suspect in the case since 2017, when German authorities received a tip from a friend of his who claimed he had confessed to the crime while they were watching a news report about the case.
Despite this, there has been no concrete evidence linking Brückner to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. However, authorities are still investigating his possible involvement and have urged the public to come forward with any information.
The McCann family’s spokesperson, Clarence Mitchell, stated that they respect the court’s decision but remain hopeful that the case will one day be solved.
“We will never give up hope of finding out what happened to Madeleine and we will continue to do everything we can to find her,” Mitchell said.
The search for Madeleine McCann continues, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The case has captured the attention of the world and remains a heartbreaking mystery for her family and loved ones.
