German Prosecutor Cautions Against High Expectations

German Prosecutor Tempers Expectations, Emphasizes Ongoing Investigation

In a recent update on the 16-year-old investigation into the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann, German prosecutor Christian Wolters played down hopes of an imminent breakthrough. As some police teams seemed to be scaling down their search efforts at a reservoir in Portugal, Wolters emphasized the importance of demonstrating that authorities were actively investigating the case. German authorities have been assisting Portuguese crews in combing the remote area where McCann went missing during a family holiday in 2007.

Wolters stated, “Of course there is a certain expectation, but it is not high.” He acknowledged the desire for progress but cautioned against unrealistic hopes. This development comes shortly after Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, released a heartfelt tribute on what would have been their daughter’s 20th birthday, expressing their love and unwavering commitment to finding her.

Suspect Named in McCann Case, Search Continues in Portugal

Last year, German prosecutors named Christian Brueckner as an official suspect in the McCann case. Brueckner, a convicted child abuser and drug dealer, is currently imprisoned in Germany for the rape of a 72-year-old woman in the same region of the Algarve. Brueckner has consistently denied any involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance, and no body has been found thus far.

Wolters emphasized the ongoing efforts to locate any evidence, including the search for Madeleine’s body. He stated, “Of course, we are still looking for the body. We’re not just looking for that, of course. There are other things too.” The search, which began on Tuesday, had no fixed timeline and may continue into Friday. The discovery of clothing or other items could provide valuable leads in the investigation.

Search at Reservoir Appears to be Scaled Down as Investigation Continues

According to witnesses in the area, British police, who had been assisting Portuguese and German counterparts at the reservoir, had left the area by Thursday afternoon. German investigators were observed dismantling their tents at a nearby camp on a hill. A tractor-mounted tree-cutter, previously deployed for search purposes, was also removed. Portuguese police in charge of the command center declined to comment on the situation.

As the search at the Algarve reservoir appears to be scaled down, it is anticipated that the Madeleine McCann investigation will conclude within hours. Portugal police have reportedly been ordered to stand down. The search at the reservoir was initiated earlier this week after German detectives received information from a “very credible source” suggesting that the main suspect, Christian Brueckner, had visited the reservoir a few days after Madeleine’s disappearance. The investigation, however, continues as authorities pursue all possible leads in the case.