The lead suspect in the Madeleine McCann disappearance case may have taken pictures of the British toddler and hidden them, a police investigation has revealed.
Christian Brueckner, 46, is believed to have taken images of victims as so-called trophies.
Portuguese detectives also suggested they would find data drives during organised digs after the youngster vanished in 2007.
However, none were found during the subsequent searches and there was no forensic evidence linking the German-born suspect to the crime.
WATCH NOW: A German prosecutor discusses the ongoing Madeleine McCann case
“They now know Christian B buried data carriers like hard drives and USB sticks at any of the places where he’s stayed so that was their real hope at the lake,” a source told The Sun.
“They really thought they might find pictures there, but they are not giving up hope.
“They believe he made duplicates because he loved to keep them like trophies.
“So cops are now trying to find out more about Christian B's movements.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Madeleine McCann was last seen in 2007PABrueckner is currently serving a seven-year sentence after being found guilty of raping a pensioner in 2005.
The 46-year-old consistently denied any involvement in McCann’s disappearance.
Portuguese police recently apologised to Kate and Gerry McCann for the way detectives investigated the case and treated the family.
Brueckner was quizzed as a witness in the case by German police in 2013.
Officers in Germany said in 2020 that they believed Brueckner kidnapped and murdered McCann.
Brueckner allegedly admitted to abducting McCann to a friendPAHowever, German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters claimed German police are “more sure now” that Brueckner murdered McCann.
Speaking in a new BBC Panorama documentary, 'Prime Suspect: Who Took Madeleine McCann?', Wolters said: "I can only say that we checked everything and we found no alibi."
He was asked again by the journalist: "And as far as you can see, there is no alibi?"
Wolters confirmed: "Yes, I'm sure."
When asked if they are "more sure now that he's the murderer", Wolters replied "yes, of course".
