Police uncovered a “relevant clue” during the 3-day search of a remote reservoir in Portugal, located around 30 miles away from the Praia da Luz resort, where British toddler Madeleine McCann disappeared from in 2007.
According to The New York Times, police wrapped up their search of the Algarve reservoir on Thursday, which was reportedly visited by suspect, Christian Brueckner, “some days” after Madeline, 3, disappeared on May 3, 2007.
“[The search] resulted in the collection of some material that will be subject to the competent expertise. The material collected will be handed over to the German authorities,” police said.
Earlier this week, the Portuguese police officially confirmed the ongoing searches in the Algarve region were in connection to Madeleine’s disappearance. The German prosecutor’s office also confirmed an active criminal investigation is ongoing.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Madeleine was vacationing with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal, when she vanished from her hotel room. Her parents had been dining a short distance away on the resort property while she slept in the room with her siblings.
Although considered a prime suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance, Brueckner has not been charged in connection with her.
Court records indicate that Brueckner lived intermittently in Portugal from 1995 to 2007, where he accumulated a hefty criminal record that includes convictions for sexually abusing children. He’s currently serving a prison sentence in Germany for an unrelated sexual offense.
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[Feature Photo: A search dingy navigates in the Arade dam near Silves, Portugal, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Portuguese police aided by German and British officers have resumed their search for Madeleine McCann, the British child who disappeared in the country’s southern Algarve region 16 years ago. Some 30 officers could be seen in the area by the Arade dam, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Praia da Luz, where the 3-year-old was last seen alive in 2007. (AP Photo/Joao Matos)]
