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Ex-cop makes explosive claim as fresh Madeleine McCann search begins in PortugalA new twist has emerged in the Madeleine McCann case as police launch fresh searches in Portugal – and a

former British detective has made a startling prediction about what they’ll find.NewsPaige Ingram and Gemma Ryder Reporter07:51, 03 Jun 2025Updated 07:53, 03 Jun 2025Madeleine McCann(Image:

METROPOLITAN POLICE/AFP via Getty) A former British police detective has made a dramatic claim as a fresh search for Madeleine McCann gets underway in Portugal – nearly two decades after her

disappearance.

Madeleine vanished on May 3, 2007, during a family holiday in the Praia da Luz resort on the Algarve. Despite extensive international investigations, no one has ever been charged.

‌ Today, a major new search effort is set to begin near the area where the three-year-old was last seen. The operation – led by Portuguese police at the request of German authorities – will

focus on land between Praia da Luz and a nearby property once used by key suspect Christian Brueckner.

‌Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner.(Image: Phil Harris.) A Portuguese source confirmed preparations had begun ahead of the full-scale search. They said: “These will be

land-based searches only. The main objective is to look for any signs of Madeleine’s body.”

Former British detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who has investigated some of the world’s most high-profile missing persons cases, has weighed in with a sceptical view of the new efforts,

reports the Mirror.

Article continues below Writing on social media yesterday, he said: “The police in Portugal are going to search for the German police – the areas surrounding where Christian B rented a small

farm building. The search is looking for evidence of Madeleine McCann’s body.

(Image: SWNS) "I thoroughly investigated this whole area for my @paramountplus series. It was 10 months before Madeleine went missing that CB was last seen at that address. I cannot see any

evidence being found.”

‌ The search, expected to last three days unless something significant is uncovered, will involve specialist teams using ground-penetrating radar capable of scanning up to 15 feet

underground.

German officers from the country’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) – around 30 in total – are on the ground, focusing on scrubland near a remote cottage linked to Brueckner.

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Article continues below The last large-scale search in the case took place in 2023, when police from the UK, Germany, and Portugal examined a reservoir about 30 miles from Praia da Luz.

The renewed efforts come amid continued speculation over Brueckner’s role in Madeleine’s disappearance, though he has not been charged in connection with the case.