British authorities have traveled discreetly to Portugal to interrogate former acquaintances of Christian Brueckner, the main suspect in the Madeleine McCann case. The individuals in question, Elke Piro, 69, and her husband Bernhard, 72, were interviewed in Faro regarding their relationship with Brueckner, who they had welcomed into their home months before Madeleine’s disappearance in Praia da Luz in 2007.
Following Brueckner’s relocation in Germany after serving a seven-year sentence for assaulting an elderly woman, Elke expressed her belief that he had harmed Madeleine. She conveyed to The Sun her frustration at not being able to provide new information to the British authorities during the recent interview. Elke suspects that Brueckner may have encountered Madeleine accidentally and committed a grave act before fleeing the scene.
The Metropolitan Police Chief, Sir Mark Rowley, has hinted at the possibility of extraditing Brueckner to the UK if fresh evidence emerges in the Madeleine McCann investigation. Operation Grange, the Met’s ongoing probe into the case, seems to be intensifying as German authorities have not made significant progress in the nearly two-decade-long inquiry.
The Piros first met Brueckner in 1995 in the Algarve region and maintained contact until 2018. Both Elke and Bernhard have been previously questioned by German and Portuguese authorities due to their association with Brueckner. Bernhard described Brueckner as a “classic sociopath” and expressed regret over accommodating him in their residence near Praia da Luz.
Elke recounted Brueckner’s dual nature, noting his gentle demeanor at times contrasted with his erratic behavior when intoxicated. She mentioned his alcoholism and compulsive drinking habits as contributing factors to his unpredictable conduct. The British authorities, in collaboration with Portuguese officials, conducted separate interviews with the Piros as potential witnesses in Faro.
The Mirror has sought additional comments from the Metropolitan Police regarding the matter, as per an anonymous source cited by The Sun. The Piros’ interactions with Brueckner have raised suspicions about his involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance, prompting renewed investigative efforts by law enforcement agencies.