Madeleine McCann cops ‘test reservoir soil samples for link to suspect’s van’

Forensic experts working on the Madeleine McCann case are comparing samples of soil found in a van belonging to prime suspect Christian Brueckner with material recovered during recent excavations at a reservoir in the Algarve.

German prosecutors first connected Brueckner, 45, to the remote reservoir near Silves, in Portugal after examining photographic evidence that has not yet been made public.

Investigators are reportedly confident of proving that Brueckner’s VW Westfalia was at the Barragem do Arade reservoir in early May 2007, shortly after the British girl disappeared.

READ MORE: Madeleine McCann police search lake after couple find weird 'shrine' to missing girl

The reservoir is around 40 minutes away from Praia da Luz, where Madeleine was last seen on her family holiday.

The reservoir was searched twice in 2008 by divers hired by lawyer Marcos Aragao Correia, who was allegedly tipped off by underworld contacts that the young girl had been murdered and her body was thrown into the reservoir within 48 hours of her going missing.

Kate and Gerry McCann had dismissed Correia’s claims at the time.

German and Portuguese search teams spent three days at Barragem do Arade last month, digging a number of holes and receiving débris which has been taken away for examination.

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  Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian B 'not given police an alibi'

A bra, cord, plastic tape and one white cotton sock were recovered, alongside some small bones which experts say were probably too small to be human remains.

One source close to the investigation said: “Photos led German police investigating Maddie’s disappearance to the reservoir.

“One of their focuses now is to close the net around Brueckner by showing through soil sample analysis that his van was there.

“A positive match of the soil they already have from the vehicle with the earth they removed during the search last week will be another important piece of evidence against him.

“It will be a slight setback if the forensics people don’t get a match, but at this stage investigators remain hopeful.

“The search that took place last week would never have been requested and authorised if the motive for it hadn’t been well supported.”

Despite a huge international manhunt, no trace of Madeleine has been found since she disappeared 16 years ago and no one has been charged.

Brueckner denies any involvement in the Brit girl's disappearance.

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