As the lead suspect in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance is freed from prison, a new ITV documentary sheds light on her parent’s heartbreak during their 18-year search for answers
Madeleine McCann’s parents have been dealt another devastating blow in their search for answers on what happened to their little girl.
It’s been 18 years since the three-year-old vanished during a family holiday in Portugal, but her parents Kate and Gerry McCann have never given up hope. Now they are facing fresh anguish as the prime suspect in Maddie’s case has been released from prison, free to vanish into thin air.
Convicted rapist and peadophile Christian Brueckner was serving a seven-year sentence in Germany for raping a pensioner but today he walked free.
Investigators and prosecutors still believe he abducted Maddie, but they don’t have enough forensic evidence to charge him. Brueckner has always denied any involvement in the case.
READ MORE: Four unanswered questions in Madeleine McCann disappearance as prime suspect walks freeREAD MORE: Christian Brueckner screams ‘the girl is dead’ in chilling Maddie McCann outburst
And now a new ITV documentary is set to shed light on the mystery surrounding her disappearance, including heartbreaking insight into the ordeal her parents have suffered.
In one emotional moment, it is revealed that Maddie’s father Gerry asked detectives a heartbreaking question about his missing daughter.
Graham Hill, a criminogist and former detective with decades of experience in child murder cases, features in the documentary extensively. Having been part of the initial investigation into Maddie’s disappearance, Hill provides never-before-seen insight into the early days of the hunt to find the toddler.
The expert explained in the documentary that just three days after the toddler went missing, he met with Gerry and Kate and the dad had just one pressing question on his mind.
“We had a conversation, and Gerry asked me if I would be able to give him some indication of whether or not Madeleine is still alive,” Hill explains.
“My reply was simple. Statistically, what we know is that children who have been abducted, they’re normally dead within three to six hours.”
Madeleine had been in bed in the holiday apartment she and her family were staying in, which was part of a complex in Praia da Luz in the Algarve.
Her parents, Gerry and Kate had been only a short walk away, eating with pals at a restaurant, while their children slept in the holiday rental.
Maddie was with her younger twin siblings too, who also stayed in the flat, which was located on the ground floor of the complex.
The children’s parents were regularly checking on the youngsters, but when Kate went back to the apartment at 10pm, Maddie was not there – and has never been seen since.
Madeleine McCann: Searching For The Prime Suspect airs Wednesday 17th September at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX