The investigation into Madeleine McCann's disappearance is facing a critical deadline as prime suspect Christian Brueckner is due for release from prison in September 2025.
German prosecutors, who believe Brueckner killed the three-year-old after she vanished during a family holiday in Portugal in 2007, are running out of time to bring charges.
Crime expert Danny Shaw highlighted the urgency of the situation, describing it as "a race against the clock" with Brueckner's seven-year sentence for rape nearing its end.
A hard drive discovered at a disused factory owned by Brueckner is believed to be a crucial piece of evidence in the case.
Danny Shaw does not think the police will have gathered enough evidence to prosecute anybody
PA / GB NEWS
The drive was found at the property Brueckner purchased for £20,000 in 2008, just a year after Madeleine disappeared.
According to reports, German police believe the hard drive contains evidence indicating Madeleine is dead.
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Danny Shaw spoke to Tom Harwood and Emily Carver on GB News
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The discovery was made in 2016 when a dog ran onto the property in Neuwegersleben, central Germany, leading police to uncover six USB sticks and two memory cards.
Police also discovered a disturbing collection of items at Brueckner's property, including children's clothes, masks, chemicals and unlicensed guns.
More than 75 swimming costumes were found alongside toys and small bikes.
The hard drive reportedly contained written accounts of Brueckner drugging a mother and daughter outside a nursery school, and descriptions of abusing a four-year-old girl.
Madeleine McCann disappeared during a family holiday in 2007PASkype conversations with other paedophiles were also uncovered, including one where he allegedly stated he wanted to "capture something small and use it for days".
Crime expert Danny Shaw expressed doubt about whether the hard drive evidence would be sufficient for prosecution.
"The question is, why haven't they charged Christian Brueckner with offences relating to Madeleine McCann?" Shaw said on GB News.
He suggested German police likely don't believe the evidence is enough to secure a conviction.
"It paints a picture of a dangerous, deeply disturbed man who has a history of violent and sexual crime against children, but does it relate specifically to McCann?" he questioned.
Brueckner is currently serving a seven-year prison term for raping an American pensioner in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz.
His sentence is set to end on 17 September 2025, factoring in time served before his previous trial.
Last year, Brueckner was cleared of unrelated rape charges after a judge found the evidence against him "insufficient".
Shaw noted this acquittal is being appealed against.
Brueckner, now 48, has consistently denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.
