The leader of the German team conducting the renewed searches for Madeleine McCann expressed gratitude to a friend who wished him well, stating: ‘Thanks, we need it.’
Rainer Grimm, the head of the BKA, which is Germany’s counterpart to the FBI, is currently in Portugal supervising the search that concluded yesterday.
His apparent lack of faith in the operation, as conveyed to his friend, reflects what many perceive as the ‘last throw of the dice’ for investigators attempting to unravel the 18-year mystery.
However, sources associated with the investigation revealed that ‘only animal bones and fragments of old adult clothing’ have been discovered in the operation, which is estimated to have cost £300,000.
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One officer remarked to MailOnline: ‘We always knew it was going to be a waste of time, but we have to demonstrate cooperation.
‘What did they anticipate finding after 18 years? We were willing to collaborate with them, but we understood it would be futile.’
Sources linked to the Madeleine McCann investigation indicated that ‘only animal bones and bits of old adult clothing’ have been uncovered.
One officer stated to MailOnline: ‘We always knew it was going to be a waste of time, but we have to show cooperation.’
The leader of the German force conducting the renewed searches for Madeleine McCann (as shown in the picture) expressed gratitude to a friend who wished him well, saying: ‘Thanks, we need it.’
Convicted rapist and paedophile Christian Brueckner, 48, (as depicted in the picture) has been identified by German prosecutors as the individual responsible for Madeleine’s ‘abduction and murder.’
Convicted rapist and paedophile Christian Brueckner, 48, has been identified by German prosecutors as the individual behind Madeleine’s ‘abduction and murder.’
He was dramatically named by German authorities in June 2020 as the person accountable for Madeleine’s abduction and murder, yet he has not faced charges – and time is running out.
Brueckner, who has strongly refuted the allegations, is presently serving a seven-year sentence for a different rape case and is expected to be released in September, having already pledged to leave Germany.
Consequently, this implies that prosecutors will face challenges in bringing him to trial if they decide to charge him regarding Madeleine’s disappearance.
His earliest potential release date is September 17; however, this is improbable as he must settle 1500 euros in outstanding fines from various motor offenses to achieve that.
Nevertheless, his legal representatives assert that he is financially incapacitated, making a release date of January 6 appear more feasible.
Brueckner’s attorney, Philipp Marquort, informed MailOnline: ‘I have not yet had the opportunity to discuss the searches with him, and I will refrain from commenting on the developments in Portugal.
‘What I can state is that I do not believe he will be released in September, as he lacks the funds to pay the fines, which have been allocated to his legal expenses, thus I cannot foresee him leaving prison until early next year.
Police conducted a search in the remote area of Portugal for three days this week.
Authorization was granted to investigate the abandoned structures on the scrubland near where Brueckner previously resided.
‘He will likely see the news on the television in his cell and will discuss it during our next phone call, but I still maintain that when he is released, he will depart Germany.’
Last October, he was acquitted of a series of unrelated sexual assaults that occurred in the Algarve between 2000 and 2017.
Two years prior, law enforcement also searched a nearby dam for evidence, but after a week-long operation, nothing was discovered.
Brueckner continues to deny any connection to Madeleine’s disappearance.
Details of Mr. Grimm’s somber message emerged as the operation at Atalaia near Praia da Luz concluded after three days.
Permission was granted to search the abandoned outbuildings on the scrubland near the location where Brueckner once resided and where he had previously parked his campervan until Friday.
In the meantime, local residents voiced their frustration at the renewed global attention on Praia da Luz, with one business owner stating to MailOnline: ‘What do they realistically expect to uncover after 18 years?
A criminal police investigator is examining the vicinity of a ruin as authorities continue the search for the remains of Madeleine McCann, who vanished in the Portuguese Algarve in May 2007, in Atalaia, Portugal, on June 5, 2025.
Police investigators are conducting a search operation in connection with the inquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine (or Maddie) McCann at Atalaia, Lagos in Algarve on June 5, 2025.
Officers are dismantling a tent at the conclusion of the day’s search at one of the base camps near Praia De Luz, Portugal, where investigations into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are ongoing.
‘It has been an extensive period; naturally, everyone empathizes with the parents, but this has dragged on for too long, and honestly, no one here believes that this German individual is responsible.’
The German police team is scheduled to return on a military aircraft that is set to pick them up today, which will also transport two vans they brought along.
German officials indicated they would provide updates to the media on Friday or Monday if there were any significant developments, but the prevailing sentiment was one of disappointment.