Overview

• Christian Brückner was released from a German prison on September 17 and must wear an electronic ankle monitor, report regularly to probation services, and has surrendered his passport, according to his lawyer.
• In a German phone shop days after his release, Brückner was recorded telling the shopkeeper he had material on pendrives that could “end the scandal of the century” and said he feared for his life, as reported by multiple outlets.
• Investigators in Germany and Portugal have identified Brückner as the prime suspect since 2020 but have not filed charges, citing a lack of conclusive physical evidence.
• Cross‑border searches resumed near Praia da Luz in mid‑2025 using techniques such as ground‑penetrating radar and well inspections, with no announced breakthrough.
• Universal+ is set to premiere Madeleine McCann: The Prime Suspect on September 25, a docuseries that producers say draws on previously unseen material and focuses on Brückner’s role in the case.