Christian Brueckner – the main suspect in the Madeleine McCann case – has set up a temporary home in a tent among the woods in a German city, his pal revealed
Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner is living in a tent in a forest.
The sex offender has set up his temporary shelter in woods in a German city, 30 minutes’ drive from the bolthole where he had been living after his release from jail last month. According to a pal, Brueckner has been moved on by police since moving to the woods – because locals are looking for him. The friend said the convicted rapist shared with him: “Yesterday, around midnight, I was woken up by the police in my tent because they saw several people searching for me in the bushes. I was evacuated immediately.
“The police suggested another place to camp. We drove there in an unmarked car, and then the police dragged my luggage through some park with me in search of a new place to sleep. Without success.
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“After searching (and lugging) for a long time, we couldn’t find a suitable place. Back to the car, off to the nearest forest. I finally pitched my tent there, but was warned about falling branches due to impending storms.
“I stayed there for one night and moved to another spot today. It was remarkable that the two police officers carried my heavy bags (filled with water bottles) without question and said themselves that this was the strangest move they had ever made.”
Brueckner denies any involvement over Madeleine, who vanished at the age of three while on a family holiday in Portugal in 2007. In Germany a group of concerned mums have been patrolling the neighbourhood where Brueckner is living amid fears for public safety.
They masterminded a demo last Saturday and are planning another next month. They have also written to the city’s mayor and are gathering signatures for a petition.
One member of the group, called Victims Protection Before Perpetrator Protection, told us her children are no longer allowed out alone.
Annika B, who asked us not to use her surname due to her fears for her safety, said: “We will continue to patrol to show that we women can protect ourselves. Today, I was in a park with another mum and my dog because we heard he would be there. We get no security from the authorities.”
Brueckner, 48, was released from jail on September 17 after serving seven years for raping an American pensioner in Praia da Luz, on Portugal’s Algarve, in 2005. German police have identified him as the prime suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance while she was on holiday in the same resort. The drifter lived in the area at the time. He has never been charged.
Annika said: “I am afraid for my children and my mother because he has no age group. It can be anyone. I am constantly paranoid, I think he could be anywhere near me, near my children or my mother. My children are no longer allowed to go outside alone.”
Last Saturday, more than 150 protesters joined the group’s demo. Annika added: “There will be another demonstration in November, which will be longer and hopefully bigger. We also hope to achieve something with the letter and the signatures. We demand more security. I just want us to feel safe.”