Bleak development in Madeleine McCann investigation
An inquiry which spanned more than a decade into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is set to end this year with charges now unlikely for a man identified by German authorities as the prime suspect in her feared abduction.
Operation Grange was set up four years after Madeleine disappeared from the Ocean Club resort in Praia da Luz, in Portugal’s Algarve region, in 2007.
She was just three years old when she vanished.
However, the investigation spearheaded by the Metropolitan Police will come to an end this year, The Sun reports.
"There are currently no plans to take the inquiry any further,” a source told the publication.
The Sun also said with the investigation coming to an end, it is likely the prime suspect in the case, Christian Brueckner, will not be charged.
In 2020, German police identified Brueckner as a prime suspect in Madeleine's disappearance and prosecutors were once confident they would be able to charge him.
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Brueckner is a convicted rapist, though he denied allegations he was involved in Madeleine's disappearance.
The source told The Sun it is expected the team involved in Operation Grange will finish up in Autumn this year.
Funding for the inquiry is set to run out on March 31 this year, according to The Telegraph, however the Metropolitan Police have applied for another grant which could see them through to September.
Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann are also apparently aware of the investigation coming to an end.
However, they are reportedly committed to eventually finding out what happened to their daughter.
While the Home Office funded Operation Grange, authorities in Portugal led the investigation, while British authorities supported them.
Madeline would be entering adulthood
Madeleine would nearing her 19th birthday today.
In May last year, Mr and Ms McCann wrote a post on the website dedicated to finding their daughter.
"Every May is tough – a reminder of years passed, of years together lost, or stolen," the update said.
"This year it is particularly poignant as we should be celebrating Madeleine’s 18th birthday. Enough said."
The post expressed optimism that the investigation would continue, and said they held hope they would see Madeleine again.
"As we have said repeatedly, we need to know what has happened to our lovely daughter, no matter what. We are very grateful to the police for their continued efforts," the post said.
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