It’s been 18 years since three-year-old Madeleine McCann vanished during a family vacation in Portugal. Despite global attention, her disappearance remains unsolved. Now, a chilling new lead has emerged.

German authorities have focused on Christian Brueckner, a convicted sex offender, as the prime suspect. A former cellmate claimed Brueckner confessed to abducting a child in a wealthy resort area. Brueckner denies involvement, but disturbing evidence ties him to the case, including children’s items, weapons, and 75 swimsuits found on his property.

He also exchanged explicit messages describing child abuse, including one involving a blonde girl resembling Madeleine. Investigators placed him at a nearby dam, long suspected in the case.

A hard drive seized in 2020 allegedly contains images suggesting Madeleine is dead. While the full contents remain sealed, a documentary airing May 7 may reveal more. German prosecutors say they have strong evidence linking Brueckner to Madeleine’s presumed death—but not yet her remains.