JUSTICE FOR MADDIE?
Will new evidence finally solve the mystery of MADELEINE MCCANN’S disappearance?
MADELEINE MCCANN VANISHED from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on 3
May 2007, days before her fourth birthday.
Her disappearance sparked one of the biggest Europewide manhunts. But in 13 years, there have been no firm leads or major breakthroughs – until now.
Following a tip-off in 2017, circumstantial evidence, including mobile-phone records, has recently placed a German-born convicted paedophile known as Christian B in Praia da Luz on the day Madeleine vanished.
Christian B is currently in prison on drugs charges, and is also appealing against a rape conviction in Praia da Luz in 2005.
In this new documentary, Julie Etchingham investigates why it took so long for him to be linked to Maddie’s disappearance.
‘Everything we’ve heard so far publicly was basically known to police for years,’ says Julian Reichelt, editor-in-chief of German newspaper Bild. ‘Christian B was convicted of child abuse as early as 1994 and there are numerous other convictions on different charges.’
Although German investigators believe they have evidence Madeleine is
dead, it’s not yet enough to charge Christian B.
Worryingly, the suspect has also been linked to several other missing children, including six-year-old Rene Hasee, who disappeared in 1996, and five-year-old Inga Gehricke, dubbed the German Maddie, who vanished in 2015.
DIFFICULTIES
But because it’s taken so long for Christian B to come on the radar of officials, vital evidence could have been lost. With no body, no forensic evidence and no confession, detectives may
struggle.
So is it possible
Christian B could escape trial?
‘We have evidence that leads us to believe he killed Madeleine, but this evidence is not strong enough at the moment to take him to court,’ warns German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters. ‘One has to be honest and remain open to the possibility that our investigation could end without a charge.’
For Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry, the latest developments haven’t changed their hope that Madeleine will be found alive.
‘We would like to thank the police forces involved for their continued efforts in the search for Madeleine,’ they said in a recent statement.
‘All we have ever wanted is to find her, uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice. We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive, but we need to know as we need to find peace.’