Police to start new search near where toddler Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007
Associated PressMAY 21
New Search Underway for Madeleine McCann in Portugal
Above: Portuguese Criminal Investigation Police (PJ) investigators stand in a road for a new search operations amid the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine (or Maddie) McCann in Lagos, in the Algarve region, on June 3, 2025. Image copyright: Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
It's very likely that this renewed search into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann — the first extensive one since 2008 — has been triggered by Brueckner disclosing more information in prison as authorities in Germany hope to find further reasons to keep him further in custody. Moreover, recent technological developments allow search teams to rely not only on criminological analysis, but also on AI-powered analysis.
Narrative B
It's certain that German authorities are rushing against the clock to prevent the looming release of Brueckner, but that may actually suggests that this search operation is a desperate attempt to find anything against him, rather than being triggered by fresh findings. So far, the only solid evidence against the suspect is a phone call he made on the night of McCann's disappearance in the resort she was staying at.