Madeleine McCann latest – Chief suspect Christian B ‘has network of pals who’ll provide alibi for night Maddie vanished’
THE Madeleine McCann prime suspect has a “number of people” willing to provide an alibi, a source has said.
Convicted rapist Christian B was named by German prosecutors in 2020 but they have yet to build a case against the 44-year-old.
Three-year-old Madeleine vanished from her bed while on holiday with her parents and family friends at a resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal in 2007.
A new witness claims to have been with him around that time and also insists he was calm while she was with him.
She also claims they were stopped by police who reported no suspicious activity.
But now The Sun can reveal she is one of “multiple witnesses” who Christian B will turn to if quizzed again over the Maddie case.
Read our Madeleine McCann live blog for the latest updates...
Madeleine McCann investigators ‘discover shocking evidence’
MADELEINE McCann investigators have discovered “shocking” new evidence they claim could finally nail suspect Christian B.
German authorities believe convicted paedophile Christian B kidnapped and killed Maddie three-year-old Madeleine, who vanished from her family’s holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007.
But now a team working on a documentary about Madeline have handed over fresh evidence to detectives.
They claim they have proof that shows Christian B was near Praia da Luz when Madeleine vanished while her parents dined in a tapas restaurant.
Christian B identified as prime suspect
Christian B was identified as the prime suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance June 2020.
He is serving a seven-year sentence in prison for raping a 72-year-old American woman in the Algarve in 2005.
Police officers are also investigating Christian B’s alleged involvement in three other cases.
The first of the three offences is the rape of Irish woman Hazel Behan in Praia da Rocha on the Algarve in 2004.
The second offence is over the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in Portugal in 2007 and the third involves the abuse of four children at a festival in São Bartolomeu de Messines in 2017.
Christian B’s lawyer Friedrich Fulscher had said his client “denies any involvement” in the McCann case.
Suspect prosecutors slam claims case is ‘crumbling over his alibi’
PROSECUTORS have rebuffed claims the case against Madeleine McCann suspect Christian B is set to crumble after British investigators allegedly found he has an alibi.
A team led by an ex-detective claim to have discovered the sex predator, 44, was “30 minutes away” from the resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal, when Madeleine disappeared.
But the new probe led by former Surrey Police detective Mark Williams-Thomas, is said to show an alibi for B “stacks up”.
But German authorities have dismissed the claims.
Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters told the : “If I had an alibi and was accused of this, I would say it. But I have heard no such claims from [Christian B] or his lawyer.”Read more here.
Cops ‘believe Madeleine McCann may still be ALIVE’
SCOTLAND Yard’s Madeleine McCann team reportedly believe she may still be alive as they are treating the toddler’s disappearance as a missing person case.
The top police unit, codenamed Operation Grange, are still operating in an “active” phase of their investigation.
A source told the : “The Met Police’s Operation Grange is still running this as a missing person’s investigation.
“Clearly the Met have more open thinking than the German authorities have at the present.
“Madeleine’s parents have always said if they are presented with hard proof she has died they will accept it.
“But the fact Operation Grange still exists and still gets funding shows the Met still thinks there is still work and investigation to be done.”
Operation Grange survives on the £350,000 special grant awarded by the Home Office to use until 2022.
‘We’re in the dark because it’s an active investigation’
A McCann family source told The Sun Online: “Police don’t tell us what’s going on, we’re in the dark because it’s an ongoing investigation.
“But if it is him, and there’s no direct and conclusive evidence he may never say a word. He’s not saying a word now.
“He’s locked up for other crimes, so at least he’s in the best place – in jail.
“Portuguese police had looked at him before and last year they looked at him again. We don’t know what this means but without a confession we may never know.
“We don’t know what evidence police have.
“It may be, sadly, that we may never know what happened to Madeleine. But we hope to find out. We keep hoping after all these years.”
In November 2021, Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry revealed that they “have hope” they will find their daughter after missing Australian toddler Cleo Smith was found alive and well.
Maddie vanished nearly 15 years ago
MADELEINE McCann vanished from her family’s Portuguese holiday flat more than 14 years ago, triggering a global search which has so far failed to find the missing child.
Despite a £12million police probe, Madeleine’s whereabouts – or whether she’s dead or alive – still remains a mystery.
When did Madeleine McCann disappear?
Madeleine vanished 13 years ago on May 3, 2007, when her family, from Leicestershire, were holidaying in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, Portugal.
Parents Gerry and Kate left their three children – including toddler twins Sean and Amelie – sleeping in their apartment while they dined at a tapas bar – 120 metres away.
When Kate returned to check on the kids at around 10pm that evening, she discovered that Madeleine was not in her bed and was missing.
In September of that year, Gerry and Kate, both doctors, were sensationally named as “arguidos” by Portuguese police.The following summer the McCanns were cleared by investigators in Portugal who declared they had exhausted all avenues in the case.
Explained: How old would Madeleine McCann be now?
Madeleine would have turned 18 on May 12, 2021.
In April 2012, UK cops released a computer generated image of Madeleine showing what she would look like aged nine.
In 2019 updated age progression images were uploaded on social media but Kate and Gerry said the images of Madeleine are bogus.
Kate and Gerry warned the new fake images were neither “commissioned nor endorsed” by them or Scotland Yard’s Operation Grange team.
Explained: The new Madeleine McCann evidence
German detectives believe convicted paedophile Christian B kidnapped and killed three-year-old Madeleine McCann.
She vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007.
But despite their suspicions, he has never been charged with any offence in connection to the child’s disappearance.
Now a team working on a documentary about Madeline has handed over fresh evidence.
They claim they have proof showing Christian B was near Praia da Luz when Madeleine vanished while her mum and dad dined in a tapas restaurant.
The documentary team from Sat.1, made up of ex-investigators and journalists, claim they collected “many new clues and indications” Christian was behind her disappearance.
Editor-in-chief Juliane Ebling said they have “shocking material” in Germany, Portugal and England over the past months, which heavily incriminates Christian B.
Maddie's story 'has many German facets'
The documentary team from Sat.1, made up of ex-investigators and journalists, say they collected “many new clues and indications” that Christian was behind the incident.
Editor-in-chief Juliane Ebling said: “The sad story of Madeleine McCann is a story that has many German facets.
“The case is being tried at the Regional Court of Braunschweig, as the German Christian B. is the main suspect.
“In his environment there are many German women and men who can describe individual details surrounding the crime.
“Jutta Rabe has researched shocking material in Germany, Portugal and England over the past months, which heavily incriminates Christian B.”
Christian B was identified as the prime suspect in Madeleine's disappearance June 2020.
Maddie 'still alive'
Scotland Yard detectives say they have seen no evidence that Madeleine is not alive.
The four-strong Operation Grange unit are still operating in an "active" phase of their missing child investigation.
A source told the last month: "Clearly the Met have more open thinking than the German authorities have at the present.
"Madeleine's parents have always said if they are presented with hard proof she has died they will accept it.
"But the fact Operation Grange still exists and still gets funding shows the Met still thinks there is still work and investigation to be done."
The Home Office awarded a further £350,000 in funding to last until later this year.
'Russians in the frame'
The TV investigators are also said to have found evidence other suspects may have snatched Madeleine.
A Portuguese source said: “The new information is pointing towards the fact two Russians could be behind it.”
It throws doubt on claims by prosecutors they have solid information incriminating jailed rapist Christian B.
The German investigators are said to have "concrete proof" Madeleine is dead, and claim Christian B killer her soon after snatching her.
But The Sun revealed last year that they actually have “nothing concrete”.
Bombshell 'alibi'
Earlier this month The Sun revealed the case against Christian B was set to crumble after British investigators found he had an alibi.
Phone records examined by the German team were said to place him at the scene.
But a TV team led by an ex-detective discovered the sex predator was “30 minutes away” from Praia da Luz when Madeleine disappeared.
The Channel 5 three-parter Madeleine McCann: Investigating the Prime Suspect, is set to demolish the case against Christian B.
The team, who spent months in Portugal and Germany, found new witnesses in both countries who throw his guilt into doubt.
And the new probe led by former Surrey Police detective Mark Williams-Thomas is said to show an alibi “stacks up”.
Our source said: “They have concluded he could not have snatched Madeleine.
"He was 30 minutes away and was not on the phone in Praia da Luz the night she vanished.”
The mysteries surrounding Madeleine McCann suspect
Despite a lengthy investigation by authorities in Portugal, Germany and the UK, there are still a series of crucial unknowns in the world's most famous missing child mystery.
As they search for the missing piece of the jigsaw, prosecutors are faced with a series of remaining mysteries to unravel.
- 'Shocking new evidence'
- Bombshell 'alibi'
- 'Russians in the frame'
- 'Still alive'
- Five-year probe
- Secret cellar and sinister factory
- Facing other charges
Read the article in full here.
Explained: When did Madeleine McCann go missing?
Madeleine disappeared 13 years ago on May 3, 2007, when her family, from Leicestershire, on holiday in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, Portugal.
Parents Gerry and Kate left their three kids, including toddler twins Sean and Ameliesleeping in their apartment while they dined at a tapas bar 120 metres away.
When Kate returned to check on the kids at about 10pm that evening, she found Madeleine was not in her bed and was missing.
In September of that year, Gerry and Kate, both doctors, were sensationally named as “arguidos” by Portuguese police.The following summer the McCanns were cleared by investigators in Portugal who declared they had exhausted all avenues in the case.
Maddie suspect will be charged with rape of Irish tour guide
MADELEINE McCann suspect Christian B is set to be charged with the rape of a woman in 2004 in the Algarve.
German officials have announced the sex offender, 45, will be charged with brutally attacking Irish tour rep Hazel Behan three years before the British toddler disappeared.
Miss Behan, who was 20 at the time of the attack, came forward in June 2020 after reading about his previous convictions.
Read the article in full here.
“30 Minutes away”
Earlier this month The Sun revealed the case against Christian B was set to crumble after British investigators found he had an alibi.
Phone records examined by the German team were said to place him at the scene.
But a TV team led by an ex-detective discovered the sex predator was “30 minutes away” from Praia da Luz when Madeleine disappeared.
The Channel 5 three-parter Madeleine McCann: Investigating the Prime Suspect, is set to demolish the case against Christian B.
The team, who spent months in Portugal and Germany, found new witnesses in both countries who throw his guilt into doubt.
And the new probe led by former Surrey Police detective Mark Williams-Thomas is said to show an alibi “stacks up”.
Our source said: “They have concluded he could not have snatched Madeleine.
"He was 30 minutes away and was not on the phone in Praia da Luz the night she vanished.”
‘New clues and indications’
The documentary team from Sat.1, made up of ex-investigators and journalists, say they collected “many new clues and indications” that Christian was behind the incident.
Editor-in-chief Juliane Ebling said: “The sad story of Madeleine McCann is a story that has many German facets.
“The case is being tried at the Regional Court of Braunschweig, as the German Christian B. is the main suspect.
“In his environment there are many German women and men who can describe individual details surrounding the crime.
“Jutta Rabe has researched shocking material in Germany, Portugal and England over the past months, which heavily incriminates Christian B.”
Chilling pic shows Maddie suspect Christian B posing in ‘lair'
THIS is Madeleine McCann suspect Christian B standing in the abandoned factory where 8,000 sickening child abuse images were found.
The 44-year-old convicted paedophile and rapist was identified as the man responsible for Madeleine's abduction and murder by German police but has yet to be charged.
Madeleine vanished on May 3, 2007, when her family were holidaying in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, Portugal.
The never before seen picture was unearthed by Danish TV journalists after they tracked down a now 62-year-old mysterious former ex-girlfriend of his identified in the documentary Prime Suspect: The Madeleine McCann Case which aired on Discovery Plus.
Christian B as the prime suspect
Christian B was identified as the prime suspect in Madeleine's disappearance June 2020.
He is serving a seven-year sentence in prison for raping a 72-year-old American woman in the Algarve in 2005.
Police officers are also investigating Christian B's alleged involvement in three other cases.
The first of the three offences is the rape of Irish woman Hazel Behan in Praia da Rocha on the Algarve in 2004.
The second offence is over the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in Portugal in 2007 and the third involves the abuse of four children at a festival in São Bartolomeu de Messines in 2017.
Christian B’s lawyer Friedrich Fulscher had said his client “denies any involvement” in the McCann case.
Home Office grant to keep investigation running
Britain’s top police force has vowed to continue searching for Maddie, who if still alive, would now be aged 18.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said they will carry on “until there is nothing left to do.”
The Met Police’s costly £12.5 million Maddie inquiry, codenamed Operation Grange, has “no funding issue at the moment,” Dame Cressida said.
The task force is set to receive another £300,000 Home Office grant to keep it running until at least next spring.
Five-year probe
German prosecutors named Christian B as their prime suspect in June 2020.
But it emerged they had actually started investigating him at least three years before that.
Now after around five years of intensive detective work, they still do not have enough evidence to being charges.
Mr Wolters said: ";We did not take the decision to go public lightly.
"Since then we have found a lot more pieces of the puzzle, but I cannot reveal what they are.
"We are making progress and have the same number of investigators working on the case, but we don't yet have enough to charge the suspect."
When did Madeleine McCann disappear?
Madeleine vanished 13 years ago on May 3, 2007, when her family, from Leicestershire, were holidaying in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, Portugal.
Parents Gerry and Kate left their three children – including toddler twins Sean and Amelie – sleeping in their apartment while they dined at a tapas bar - 120 metres away.
When Kate returned to check on the kids at around 10pm that evening, she discovered that Madeleine was not in her bed and was missing.
In September of that year, Gerry and Kate, both doctors, were sensationally named as "arguidos" by Portuguese police.The following summer the McCanns were cleared by investigators in Portugal who declared they had exhausted all avenues in the case.
Explained: How old would Madeleine McCann be now?
Madeleine would have turned 18 on May 12, 2021.
In April 2012, UK cops released a computer generated image of Madeleine showing what she would look like aged nine.
In 2019 updated age progression images were uploaded on social media but Kate and Gerry said the images of Madeleine are bogus.
Kate and Gerry warned the new fake images were neither "commissioned nor endorsed" by them or Scotland Yard’s Operation Grange team.
'Shocking new evidence'
A team working on a documentary about Madeleine say they have handed over fresh evidence to detectives.
They claim they have discovered proof that Christian B, 45, was near Praia da Luz when Madeleine vanished in May 2007.
The documentary team from Sat.1, made up of ex-investigators and journalists, say they collected “many new clues and indications” that Christian took her.
Editor-in-chief Juliane Ebling said: “The sad story of Madeleine McCann is a story that has many German facets.
“The case is being tried at the Regional Court of Braunschweig, as the German Christian B is the main suspect.
“In his environment there are many German women and men who can describe individual details surrounding the crime.
“Jutta Rabe has researched shocking material in Germany, Portugal and England over the past months, which heavily incriminates Christian B.”
