Logo

European authorities have discovered a new lead in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann — a secret compound linked to the prime suspect.

Convicted pedophile Christian Brueckner had access to the compound, located in Portugal’s southern Algarve region where McCann, 3, disappeared in 2007, according to a report. The compound reportedly belonged to Brueckner’s former German girlfriend, Nicole Fehlinger.

The compound came to light after German federal authorities recently interviewed Fehlinger’s father, Dieter, for a second time.

“No one knows that my daughter not only had the private residence in Portugal at her disposal, but also a separate compound,” he told The Mirror newspaper. “No one has ever searched there or the property has never turned up in connection with Maddie.”

Fehlinger said the large compound was overgrown with weeds and guarded by four “aggressive” Kangal dogs day and night.


  Kate McCann, left, looks on as her husband Gerry holds up a picture of their missing daughter Madeleine during a news conference in Rome, on May 30, 2007. ASSOCIATED PRESS Kate McCann, left, looks on as her husband Gerry holds up a picture of their missing daughter Madeleine during a news conference in Rome, on May 30, 2007. ASSOCIATED PRESS

  Fehlinger reportedly told investigators that his daughter had a secret compound in the Algarve. Google Earth Fehlinger reportedly told investigators that his daughter had a secret compound in the Algarve. Google Earth

Brueckner has denied any involvement in McCann’s disappearance.

The toddler was kidnapped from her family’s holiday rental in Praia da Luz.

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy