German police have confirmed a major update in the Madeleine McCann case after resuming the search for the missing Brit earlier this week.
Although Maddie has been missing for over 18 years now, fresh evidence discovered in the home of prime suspect Christian Brueckner recently seemingly sparked fresh hope into the search.
After discovering some disturbing findings in the German's home, police confirmed that a new search would begin between Praia da Luz and a house near the holiday resort where Brueckner used to live.
However, they only gained permission to search until Friday and it is now expected that the search will be called off if nothing is discovered today (Thursday 5 June).
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A source close to The Sun confirmed on Thursday morning that: "There are currently no plans to extend and if the situation remains the same the search will end this evening.
"It’s very disappointing but nothing taken away from the search area so far has provided any clues."
A recent documentary also took a deep dive into the much-discussed case, providing evidence which producers seemed to think was enough to suggest that Maddie is sadly dead.
While police were hoping to discover something that would be enough to finally charge Brueckner in connection with Maddie's disappearance, it seems as if they are going to come up empty-handed after three days of digging on three sites of abandoned structures linked to the convicted rapist.
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Brueckner, who is currently behind bars in Germany after being charged with the rape of an elderly woman, spoke recently with the press about his plans ahead of his expected release later this year.
It is now a race against time for officials to make progress on the near two-decade old case, or he risks walking free in September.
Journalist Jon Clarke, who wrote the book My Search for Madeleine, spoke to the Telegraph about why Brueckner cannot be convicted in Germany as it stands.
He said: "Unfortunately, although he’s confessed to a couple of people, friends, the evidence may not be as good as they would have liked.” Importantly, he adds: “They haven’t got DNA yet.”
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German court cases rely on judges rather than juries in the UK, so it is far harder to sentence someone without DNA.
Unless there is a significant finding in the next 12 hours, Brueckner may never be convicted in connection with Maddie's disappearance.
Topics: Madeleine McCann
James Moorhouse