German investigators issue 'desperate plea' to Met Police after finding hard drive evidence claiming 'Madeleine McCann is dead'

Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.

German investigators have reportedly asked the Met Police to reopen their investigation into the Madeleine McCann case.

Yesterday evening (7 May), a brand-new documentary by Channel 4 titled Madeleine McCann: The Unseen Evidence was released following an investigation by The Sun and Channel 4 into Madeleine's disappearance, which 'uncovers further evidence that could point towards the prime suspect's involvement in this unsolved crime'.

The prime suspect is German national Christian Brueckner - a convicted rapist who is currently behind bars for the 2005 rape of an American woman in Praia da Luz.

However, he was acquitted of these claims last year and could be released as early as 17 September 2025, which is just 19 weeks away.

This is unless prosecutors are able to prove that he is the man who abducted Madeleine, who would soon be turning 21, all those years ago back in 2007.

Brueckner has denied involvement in her disappearance and there have been no formal charges issued against him.

Back in 2016, police discovered evidence found on a hard drive at a disused factory owned by Brueckner in Germany.

The Sun reports that masks, unlicensed guns and ammunition, children’s toys, and bikes were found at Brueckner's hideaway, despite him having no children himself, while as many as 75 children's swimming costumes were also discovered.

According to the outlet, the hard drive reportedly 'contains evidence' that 'Madeleine is dead'.

And now, a report published by The Sun claims that German prosecutors believe that the Met's Operation Grange team can be influential in charging the suspect before his release.

Madeleine McCann went missing aged three during a family holiday in Portugal in 2007 (PA)

Speaking to the outlet, a source said: "There is huge interest in Germany in the British stepping up their investigation again. The clock is against the case here and investigators do not want to see Brueckner walk free."

The source continued: "Their best option could be intervention from UK cops - but they have to be prepared to take it on.

"There are 20,000 pages of Madeleine evidence and the Germans are ready to translate the lot."

The Met, as per The Sun, has reportedly said that Operation Grange is open to any evidence that can be provided, with a spokesperson adding to LADbible: "We continue to support Madeleine’s family to understand what happened on the evening of 3 May, 2007 in Praia da Luz.

Christian Brueckner is the prime suspect in the 18-year investigation (Handout / Handout / Getty Images)

"This includes working with our colleagues in Germany and Portugal. Our thoughts remain with the family."

Following the recent reports surrounding the evidence presented in the documentary, German police told LADbible: "I can't comment on the documentary because I haven't seen it. In my opinion, the article in the Sun doesn't contain any real news and also contains few direct references to Madeleine McCann.

"I assume the article was published only because of the anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance and not because of the timeliness of the alleged evidence."

Madeleine McCann: The Unseen Evidence is currently available to stream on Channel 4.