New search in Portugal as German police pursue Madeleine McCann “murder inquiry” | BBC News

German police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are carrying out new searches in Portugal, in the area where she went missing 18 years ago. The 3-year-old British toddler disappeared from a holiday apartment in the resort of Praja de Luz in 2007. The chief suspect is Christian Brueckner, who used to live nearby. He’s a convicted child sex offender but has denied any involvement in Madeleine McCann's disappearance. He’s currently serving a 7-year prison sentence in Germany for rape and is due for release by next year. German detectives have made clear that their investigation into the McCann case is a murder inquiry.