The key suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has declared himself homeless after his release from jail this week. Christian Brueckner who denies any involvement in the McCann case, has been moved into emergency accommodation.
According to the Daily Mirror, he was formally declared homeless in Neumunster, located around 40 miles north of Hamburg. A press secretary for the city told the paper: “He registered as homeless in Neumunster yesterday and we have accommodated him for safety reasons.” The German was released from jail this week, after serving a seven-year term for raping a pensioner.
He was seen at a McDonald’s restaurant eating a cheese burger and chicken nuggets afer leaving prison.
British police continue to investigate Madeleine’s disappearance and have requested access to all files and witnesses on the German investigation into the 48-year-old.
A source close to the case in Germany said: “It’s clear the British police have increased their interest in this case.
“Operation Grange, the Met’s investigation into Madeleine, has always remained active and there has always been information-sharing with the Germans. But after leaving the case with German investigators Met detectives now seem to want to take a real look at everything.”
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said Brückner “remains a suspect for us” and that the force’s investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance remains a missing person inquiry.
She was just three years old when she went missing from the resort of Praia da Luz in Portugal in 2007.
Madeleine and her siblings were asleep in their holiday flat at the time, while her parents went to a restaurant close-by.
German prosecutors have pointed to evidence placing Brueckner in the area at the time of her disappearance.
However, they have never found strong enough evidence enabling them to charge the main suspect.
Nevertheless, Brückner has been handed strict release terms by a regional court at the request of prosecutors and will have to wear an electronic ankle monitor for five years.
