Detectives searching for Madeleine McCann investigate new tip off about secret compound owned by suspect Christian Brueckner's ex
- The father of Nicole Fehlinger has revealed a compound in Portugal's Algarve
- It reportedly belonged to Fehlinger - the ex-girlfriend of chief McCann suspect
- Prosecutors have reportedly confirmed the interview, according to The Mirror
- They are now seriously considering examining the new lead, reports suggestDetectives searching for Madeline McCann are investigating a new tip off about a secret compound owned by the ex-girlfriend of chief suspect Christian Brueckner.
The father of Nicole Fehlinger - Dieter - reportedly told the German equivalent of the FBI about the compound in Portugal's Algarve when he went back to visit officers for a second time to give a lengthy interview.
Prosecutors have reportedly confirmed the interview, according to The Mirror, and are now seriously examining the new lead.
Detectives searching for Madeline McCann are investigating a new tip off about a secret compound owned by the ex-girlfriend of chief suspect Christian Brueckner - Nicole Fehlinger (pictured)
Madeline went missing from her family's holiday home in Praia da Luz, Portugal in May 2007, a matter of days before fer fourth birthday. She has never been found.
Ms Fehlinger lived in Portugal at the time with Brueckner, 44, who has since been identified by German police as the chief suspect in the girl's disappearance.
Now, Mr Fehlinger has reportedly told investigators that his daughter had a secret compound in the Algarve that no one else knew about.
He added that it was guarded by three Kangal Shepherd Dogs, known for having one of the most powerful bites among dog breeds. Ms Fehlinger lived in Portugal at the time with Brueckner, 44, who has since been identified by German police as the chief suspect in the girl's disappearance.
Now, Mr Fehlinger has reportedly told investigators that his daughter had a secret compound in the Algarve that no one else knew about.
He added that it was guarded by three Kangal Shepherd Dogs, known for having one of the most powerful bites among dog breeds. According to The Mirror, Mr Fehlinger said: 'No one knows that my daughter not only had the private residence in Portugal at her disposal, but also a separate compound.
'No-one has ever searched there or the property has never turned up in connection with Maddie, Brueckner or Nicole.
'It's an overgrown property of over 5,000 square metres. It was a secure area, enclosed with fencing and four aggressive Kangal dogs were there day and night.'
Detectives searching for Madeline McCann (left( are investigating a new tip off about a secret compound owned by the ex-girlfriend of chief suspect Christian Brueckner (right)
The father of Nicole Fehlinger - Dieter - reportedly told the German equivalent of the FBI about the compound (pictured, Google Street View) in Portugal's Algarve
Mr Fehlinger has reportedly told investigators that his daughter had a secret compound in the Algarve that no one else knew about. He added that it was guarded by three Kangal Shepherd Dogs, known for having one of the most powerful bites among dog breeds
The area was so overgrown, Mr Fehlinger reportedly said, that no one would be able to get in or out, other than his daughter and perhaps her then-boyfriend.
The secret compound is said to be found very near the house where Ms Fehlinger lived on the Algarve, and around 38 miles from Praia da Luz.
According to The Mirror Ms Fehlinger, a mother of three, was involved in a fostering programme in Portugal for troubled German youths. There is no suggestion that she is in anyway involved in the disappearance of Madeleine.
German police have said they are only investigating Brueckner in relation to the case of Madeleine. He is currently serving prison time in Germany after being convicted of other offences, including rape.
Last year, Brueckner was named as the prime suspect in the case by German prosecutors after phone records suggested he was in the resort the night she disappeared.
Brueckner - also a convicted paedophile - earlier this month claimed the investigation into him was 'scandalous' and condemned prosecutors who 'brought shame to the legal system,' in a letter obtained by German newspaper Bild.
It was accompanied by a strange sketch which depicts two prosecutors ordering food at a restaurant. They have speech bubbles over their heads, with one saying, 'I'll take the filet forensics,' and the other replying, 'Yummy, me too.'
It may refer to the lead prosecutor Hans Wolter's previous admission that there was no forensic evidence against Bruckner in the McCann case.
Ms Fehlinger and Bruckner were in a relationship for two years after they met in a bar. According to court documents in Portugal, they spoke regularly on the phone and shared a weekend break together in Lisbon months after Madeleine vanished.
It is unclear if the pair rekindled their relationship when they were both in Germany again in 2012.
Brueckner lived in the Algarve for much of the period from 1995 to 2007, and German prosecutors say he received a phone call from a Portuguese number around the time of Madeleine's disappearance in May 2007.
He made a living doing odd jobs in the area where Madeleine disappeared, and was also known to have burgled hotel rooms and holiday flats.
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