Helge Busching says he’s "100% sure" Brueckner abducted Madeleine McCann
When Helge Busching sat down with ITV News' Sejal Karia on Tuesday, he didn’t mince words: he is Madeleine McCann’s kidnapper, he says, and he’s "100% sure" about it. The former criminal associate of the prime suspect spoke from a Munich flat, recalling a 2008 chat at a Spanish festival that, in his view, sealed the case. The interview comes just days after the suspect, Christian Brueckner, walked out of Sehnde prison on , his ankle tag blinking as a reminder that he’s still under watch.
Background: The McCann disappearance and the Brueckner focus
On a warm May night in 2007, three‑year‑old Madeleine McCann vanished from the Ocean Club resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal. The case became an international obsession, spawning countless theories and a relentless media circus.
German investigators zeroed in on Christian Brueckner after a pattern of sexual offences against women and minors emerged. By August 2025, Hans Christian Wolters, the state prosecutor leading the probe, told the BBC that Brueckner was the "prime suspect" but that evidence was still insufficient to press charges.
The new testimony: What Busching claims to have heard
According to Busching, the crucial moment happened during a boisterous summer fair in Valencia. He says he asked Brueckner how anyone could "rob little children from a hotel". Brueckner allegedly responded, "She was not screaming," before storming off. Busching insists the comment wasn’t a joke; it was a confession.
He added that in 2008 he reported the snippet to Scotland Yard, but the statement was misplaced. It wasn’t until a 2017 hotline call that authorities logged his account properly. The same night, Busching also claimed Brueckner bragged about a stash of disturbing videos – two of women being violently assaulted and a third featuring a teenage German girl.
What makes the claim chilling is the geography. Busching says Brueckner’s house was a stone’s throw – roughly one mile – from the Ocean Club. German police have since triangulated cell‑tower data that puts Brueckner’s phone within that radius on the night of May 3, 2007.
Legal currents: Brueckner’s release and the ongoing investigations
Brueckner finished a seven‑year term for raping a 72‑year‑old American tourist in Praia de Luz in 2005. He was escorted out of Sehnde prison in a black Audi, flanked by his lawyer and a police convoy. The ankle monitor now tracks his every move – a precaution the German justice ministry says is standard for high‑risk offenders.
Meanwhile, the London Metropolitan Police sent a formal request for an interview with Brueckner days before his release, hoping to clarify his whereabouts on that fateful night in Portugal. Brueckner flatly declined, citing “legal advice.”
In a surprising twist, Brueckner confronted Prosecutor Wolters shortly after gaining his freedom, demanding the official take responsibility for media portrayals that, in his words, had ruined his life. Brueckner aired his grievances on Sky News, stating, "I want Wolters to take responsibility for the way the press has treated me. I am innocent of Madeleine’s disappearance." Wolters, who has spoken publicly about the lack of concrete evidence, refused to meet, and his office issued a brief statement reiterating that the investigation remains open.
Expert and public reaction
Criminologist Prof. Dr. Anja Lehmann of the University of Cologne notes, "A confession, even in passing, carries weight, but it must be corroborated. The cell‑phone data is compelling, yet without physical evidence, prosecutors risk a dead‑end trial."
Family supporters of the McCanns expressed guarded optimism. A spokesperson for the Madeleine McCann Action Group said, "Any new, credible lead is a step forward. We urge German authorities to act swiftly before the statute of limitations becomes an obstacle."
In Portugal, locals who remember the 2007 holiday rush recall the Ocean Club’s bustling atmosphere. Café owner José Figueiredo told reporters, "We still talk about that night. If an old neighbor is truly responsible, the town deserves closure."
What’s next? The road ahead for the investigation
The next few weeks could prove critical. German prosecutors have hinted at a fresh search of Brueckner’s former residence, hoping to locate the alleged videos Busching described. Simultaneously, the UK’s National Crime Agency is reviewing the 2008 testimony for any overlooked forensic links.
If new material surfaces, a European Arrest Warrant could be issued, allowing British detectives to interrogate Brueckner on UK soil. Until then, the case remains a tangled puzzle of hearsay, digital footprints, and a suspect who claims innocence while the world watches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Busching’s testimony affect the McCann case?
Busching’s account adds a direct verbal link to Brueckner, which prosecutors can pair with cell‑phone data. While not enough to file charges on its own, it could prompt renewed searches and possibly bring new forensic evidence to light.
What evidence places Brueckner near the Ocean Club on May 3, 2007?
German investigators have triangulated Brueckner’s mobile phone pings to a tower less than a kilometer from the resort during the window when Madeleine disappeared. The data, while circumstantial, aligns with Busching’s claim that Brueckner lived a mile away.
Why hasn’t Brueckner been charged despite being a prime suspect?
Prosecutors say the existing evidence – phone records, Busching’s testimony, and the alleged videos – lacks the forensic solidity required for a conviction. Without DNA, eyewitness corroboration, or recovered physical items, a trial would likely end in acquittal.
What role does the UK police play in this investigation?
The London Metropolitan Police continue to liaise with German counterparts, share intelligence, and have requested an interview with Brueckner. They also monitor any new evidence that might emerge from the UK’s own forensic labs.
What are the chances Brueckner will face trial in the future?
If investigators locate the alleged videos or uncover new physical proof linking Brueckner to the night of May 3, a trial becomes plausible. Until then, the case sits in a legal limbo, with the suspect under electronic surveillance but free to move within Europe.
