McCann Suspect Christian Brueckner Claims Locals 'Want Him Dead' in New Home
In an exclusive new interview, Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, has claimed that locals in his new home city "want him dead" and have shown no "humanity" towards him. The convicted paedophile and rapist, who recently moved into council accommodation after months living in a forest tent, expressed his frustration at the community's reaction to his presence.
From Forest Tent to Council Flat
Brueckner, 49, finally accepted council accommodation last week after spending months camped out in woodland in northern Germany, following his release from prison in September. The move came amid ongoing protests by concerned locals who hoped a permanent address would improve community safety. However, Brueckner claims his new living situation is actually worse than prison conditions.
"Sometimes it feels as though people would prefer me dead," Brueckner said in the interview. "I ask myself whether that is humanity, whether those are Christian values. I cannot understand this coldness — that when someone is already on the ground, people still want to kick them."
Complaints About Living Conditions
The German national, who is living on benefits, described his new accommodation as offering less than he had in prison. "Here I have less than I did in prison," he complained. "There is no shower, the toilet is separate, the warm water at the sink does not work. It is total isolation and at the same time I am monitored by cameras without knowing who has access to them."
Brueckner claimed he felt forced to abandon his forest camp due to increased hostility from locals and pressure from authorities. He spoke nostalgically about his time in the woodland, despite snowy conditions: "I have spent eight and a half years seeing nothing but concrete walls. For me, even winter here in the forest was beautiful. There are so many sounds, so much life."
Madeleine McCann Connection
Brueckner remains German prosecutors' prime suspect in the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann, who vanished from an apartment during a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007. While he was jailed for seven years for raping a US pensioner in the Algarve in 2005, he has never been charged in connection with Madeleine's disappearance.
"There will be no charges against me in the Maddie case," Brueckner defiantly stated. "That is because I am innocent."
Future Plans and Community Backlash
Brueckner believes finding conventional employment in his new city is unrealistic but suggested he might work as an artist. "Working at a supermarket checkout is probably not an option," he said. "I could imagine working as an artist. Even in prison I drew portraits for other inmates."
However, his comments have sparked outrage from protest groups. Annika, co-leader of Victim Protection Before Perpetrator Protection, told the Mirror: "It is unbelievable he is now saying it is 'a shame' that none of the protesters would speak to him." She revealed that activists had attempted to arrange a private meeting months ago, but Brueckner demanded they submit their German identity cards to his lawyers first.
"He wants a normal life, but I say he doesn't deserve a normal life," Annika continued. "His victims also suffer their whole lives. Why does he want peace and quiet after such deeds? His victims have no peace either."
Legal Restrictions and Failed Escape Plans
Brueckner, who must wear a monitoring tag for five years, previously vowed to leave Germany after a court ruled his security restrictions unlawful. His lawyer had suggested he could move to a country with no extradition to Germany or the UK, such as Suriname in South America. Brueckner had attempted to fund his escape through crowdfunding, but website administrators shut down his account.
The convicted sex offender also complained about police surveillance while paradoxically claiming his presence was improving local safety through increased policing demands. His move into council accommodation followed crisis talks between local politicians and protesters, after it was revealed Brueckner had initially turned down the housing to continue living "off-grid."
