Maddie McCann breakthrough hope as ‘item linked to tot found in suspect’s van’

Journalist Sandra Felgueiras said a Portuguese police source told her an ‘item’ belonging to Madeleine McCann was found in Christian Brueckner’s van. It is not thought her DNA has been found

Police have found evidence in Christian Brueckner’s camper van linking him to Madeleine McCann, it has been claimed.

As the missing girl’s parents tonight held a vigil marking the 15th anniversary of her disappearance, journalist Sandra Felgueiras said a Portuguese police source told her an “item” belonging to the youngster was found in the van.

It is not thought her DNA has been found.

German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters refused to comment or confirm or deny the news when quizzed by Felgueiras in a TV documentary which aired tonight.

In October he said investigators had not found any of Madeleine’s DNA.

Ms Felguires asked: “Is it true you did find something belonging to Madeleine in the caravan of Christian B?”

Asked Mr Wolters said: “I can’t comment on details of the investigation.”

Ms Felgueiras added: “But you can’t deny it, can you?”

Mr Wolters replied: “I don’t want to deny it” — and qualified his statement later, adding “because the suspect has not yet been informed”.

Under German law, details of a police investigation cannot be made public until a suspect and their legal team are given full details of the case against them.

It was reported last month in a separate development that police are awaiting the results of DNA testing carried out on Brueckner’s van.

He was living in the yellow and white VW at the time Madeleine disappeared in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz, days before her fourth birthday.

Convicted rapist Brueckner was made an “arguido” or formal suspect by Portuguese prosecutors last month, though he has not been charged.

The 45-year-old is serving a seven-year sentence in his native Germany for the rape of an American pensioner in Praia da Luz.

German authorities regard him as the prime suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance.

He denies being involved and has refused to speak to police or prosecutors.

Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry were tonight pictured in public for the first time in four years at a prayer service in their village of Rothley, Leics. Kate read a poem at the vigil, attended by their other children, twins Sean and Amelie, 17.

Her great uncle Brian Kennedy, 83, said: “Kate and Gerry feel heartened that something positive seems to be happening with the investigation.”