Fine Paid for Suspect in Madeleine mccann Disappearance, Possible Early Release
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By Anya Sharma | BERLIN – 2025/06/23 13:28:51
A fine against the primary suspect in the 2007 disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann in Portugal has been paid, according to German prosecutors. This could lead to his release from prison in a separate case sooner than expected.
Prosecutors in Braunschweig have confirmed that the fine, amounting to approximately 1,450 euros ($1,663), has been paid for the suspect, Christian Brueckner, as reported by the German news agency DPA. The payment potentially moves his release date to september 17, ahead of the original January 2026 date.
Christian Brueckner has not been formally charged in the McCann case but remains under inquiry for suspected murder. He resided in Portugal for several years, including at the Praia da Luz resort around the time of MadeleineS disappearance.He denies any involvement.
Investigators in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Germany continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the night three-year-old Madeleine disappeared. She was sharing a room with her siblings while her parents, Kate and Gerry, dined with friends at a nearby resturant.
Der Spiegel reports that the fine was related to previous cases involving falsification and bodily harm. Brueckner faced an additional 111 days in prison due to his inability to pay the fine.Reportedly, a former employee of the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany initially paid the fine but attempted to retract the payment upon learning its true purpose.
“He has denied any implication in the case.”
