German Police Warned About Reliability of Witness in Madeleine McCann Case
German police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have faced a setback as it has been claimed that they were cautioned about relying on a potentially unreliable witness, who was nicknamed ‘Helge Bulls***ter.’ The key suspect in the case, Christian Brueckner, 45, was named by prosecutors last year.
The case largely relies on the testimony of his former friend Helge Busching, who stated that Brueckner chillingly told him that “she didn’t scream” when discussing Madeleine’s disappearance.
However, Busching is now reconsidering his evidence, causing concerns for the investigation’s credibility.
Warnings About ‘Flaky’ Witness Helge Busching
Sources close to the German investigation have revealed that German officers were cautioned about the reliability of Helge Busching’s testimony.
He had even earned the nickname ‘Helge Bulls***ter’ among Portuguese officers due to his perceived unreliability.
Portuguese officers had long considered him a fantasist who would often talk inaccurately or exaggerate events. Despite these warnings, German detectives relied heavily on his evidence, and with his potential withdrawal, the investigation’s credibility is in doubt.
Helge Busching’s Testimony
Helge Busching provided Christian Brueckner’s name to British police in 2017, approximately ten years after Madeleine’s disappearance.
Busching claimed that Brueckner confessed his involvement in Madeleine’s abduction during a conversation at a Spanish kite festival in 2008. When asked about Brueckner in 2020, Busching stated unequivocally, “One word. Guilty.” Busching currently resides on the French island of Corsica.
Concerns Over Unreliable Witness
Recent developments suggest that Helge Busching, who was paid a significant sum to repeat his statement in a German newspaper, is reconsidering his testimony.
This has raised questions about the credibility of his statements and the impact on the case. Critics argue that pinning the entire case on Busching’s evidence, despite previous warnings about his reliability, has damaged the investigation’s credibility.
Christian Brueckner’s Background
Christian Brueckner is a convicted rapist and paedophile currently serving a seven-year jail sentence in Germany for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2005.
He has been named as the key suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance and murder but has not yet been charged regarding her abduction. Brueckner denies any involvement in the case.
Brueckner’s Letters to Former Friends
Recent reports suggest that Christian Brueckner has written letters to former friends, requesting their support in court to portray him as a ‘good guy’ and clear his name. He complained about prosecutors presenting him as a ‘monster’ and asked for their defense.
However, his past as a convicted criminal and paedophile has diminished the likelihood of anyone supporting him in court.
Madeleine McCann’s Disappearance
Madeleine McCann disappeared from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007, just before her fourth birthday.
Her disappearance remains one of the most high-profile missing child cases globally, and her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, continue to hope that she could still be alive. Madeleine would be 20 years old now.
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