The man named a suspect in the 2007 disappearance and presumed death of toddler Madeleine McCann was released from a German prison Tuesday, where he had completed a seven year sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old woman.
Christian Brueckner was released Tuesday morning and escorted out of prison by a police escort and was driven away by his lawyer, prison spokesperson Marcell Farbowski told Reuters.
The British toddler disappeared from a resort in Portugal’s Algarve region while her family was vacationing, as CrimeOnline reported. Despite multiple searches of multiple locations, her body has never been found and no charges have ever been found. Brueckner, 49, was named a suspect by German prosecutors in 2020.
German police reportedly searched an abandoned factory owned by Christian Brüeckner and recovered masks, chemicals, guns, and children’s clothes and toys. Police allegedly also found a hard drive containing pictures that suggest McCann is deceased, according to British tabloids, but still, no charges were forthcoming.
According to Der Spiegel, Brueckner’s release from prison came with strict conditions, including the cancellation of his passport and what is essentially home arrest with electronic monitoring, Reuters said.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Featured image: Madeleine McCann/handout]
