Christian Brückner Released: The Ongoing Mystery of Madeleine McCann

Mon Oct 13 2025 23:19:34 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Christian Brückner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, has been released from a German prison after serving time for unrelated crimes. Despite his release, investigations into McCann's case remain active, with authorities cautious given the lack of conclusive evidence.

Christian Brückner, the primary suspect in the high-profile case of Madeleine McCann's disappearance, was released from a German prison on September 17, 2025. Convicted for an unrelated offense, Brückner has never been charged concerning McCann's case, though he remains a suspect. He has been fitted with an ankle monitor and is required to comply with various release conditions. Investigations into McCann's abduction continue, highlighting the complexities and ongoing uncertainties surrounding one of the world’s most notorious missing person cases.

The prime suspect in the high-profile case of Madeleine McCann's disappearance has been released from prison in Germany, where he has been serving a sentence for an unrelated offense.

Christian Brückner was driven out in a black Audi by his lawyer with a police escort shortly after 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT). Brückner wasn't visible in the car but police confirmed he had left Sehnde prison.

He had been convicted of raping a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal in 2005, and will be fitted with an ankle tag after his release from the prison near the northern city of Hanover.

The German national, 48, has never been charged with any crime in relation to the McCann case. He denies any involvement.

Local police spokesman Lars Dehnert told the BBC: We said before that we wanted this to happen as smoothly as possible, adding that Brückner would be escorted for a short distance.

One of Brückner's lawyers, Philipp Marquort, indicated that Brückner is relieved to be out of prison. I know where he is - but I can't say because he needs to now settle down... before his next court appearance, Marquort stated.

In the UK, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley mentioned that Brückner remains a suspect for us in Madeleine's case, which remains an ongoing investigation.

Madeleine was just three years old when she disappeared in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz in 2007. The case has since become one of the most recognized unsolved missing persons cases globally.

German prosecutors continue to maintain that evidence points towards Brückner's potential involvement, yet they have not discovered enough supporting evidence to file charges against him. The exact next steps in both his legal journey and the McCann investigation remain to be seen as authorities proceed carefully.

Brückner has also been assigned strict release conditions, including the wearing of an electronic ankle monitor for five years as part of his probation, amid concerns he may flee beyond jurisdiction.