Recent media reports claim that police have sent to Germany bone and clothing fragments found in Portugal during the latest search for Madeleine McCann.
The three-day operation near Praia da Luz, in Algarve, was initially seen as unsuccessful, with authorities appearing to leave the area empty-handed, according to The Sun. However, investigators reportedly recovered small fragments that could be connected to the case. The site is believed to have been used by Christian Brueckner, 38, the main suspect in Maddie’s disappearance.
The evidence is now being analyzed in Germany, raising hopes that it could provide the crucial forensic link investigators have long been searching for.
The renewed search and its latest developments have brought fresh attention to a case that has captivated global headlines for more than 17 years. Three-year-old Madeleine McCann vanished from her parents' holiday apartment in Portugal on May 3, 2007. The young girl was left alone with her siblings, and has not been seen since. It's one of the most complicated criminal cases in history, with unreliable evidence, false leads, and new suspects.
In this gallery, we look back at one of the most publicized disappearances in recent history, and the recent leads that may provide answers after all these years. Click on for more.