Yesterday, BBC News reported that convicted rapist Christian Brueckner had been declared an official suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
The child disappeared when she was just three years old while on vacation with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal, back in 2007. Ever since Madeleine's disappearance, the case has made headlines around the world.
She has never been found.
In 2020, German police revealed that 45-year-old Brueckner was being investigated in relation to the child's disappearance.
Now, Portuguese prosecutors have declared Brueckner an "arguido" - a term used by the country's authorities to categorize somebody who is being treated by Portuguese police as more than a witness, but is yet to be arrested or charged.
Brueckner - who is currently serving a prison sentence in Germany for the 2004 rape of a 72-year-old American woman - has reportedly denied any involvement in the case.
BBC News adds that German authorities have informed him he is a suspect, per the request of Portuguese prosecutors.
Following yesterday's news, parents Kate and Gerry McCann have released a statement on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page.
"We welcome the news that the Portuguese authorities have declared a German man an 'arguido' in relation to the disappearance of our beloved daughter Madeleine," the couple writes. "This reflects progress in the investigation, being conducted by the Portuguese, German and British authorities. We are kept informed of developments by the Metropolitan police."
They add: "It is important to note the 'arguido' has not yet been charged with any specific crime related to Madeleine’s disappearance."
The McCanns then shared the following heartbreaking confession:
"Even though the possibility may be slim, we have not given up hope that Madeleine is still alive and we will be reunited with her."
Per The Independent, Brueckner was living in a camper van near Praia da Luz in Portugal at the time of McCann’s disappearance, with phone records allegedly showing that he received a call near McCann's vacation apartment about an hour before the three-year-old disappeared.
At the time of the child's disappearance, her parents were dining with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant.
The Guardian reports that both Kate and Gerry McCann were declared "arguidos" back in September 2007. They were formally cleared of the status by Portuguese authorities in July 2008.
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