About this episode
When Christian B walked free from a German prison this month, the only official suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann stepped back into the spotlight, and straight into controversy.
In this True Criminals Briefing, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero unpack the extraordinary scenes around his release, the media circus that followed, and the prosecutor’s unwavering insistence that Christian B abducted and murdered Madeleine, despite no arrest or charges.
Martin recounts the tense hours outside the prison, the motorbike chase that was stopped by police, and the moment Christian B surfaced at a McDonald’s for his first meal of freedom. We also hear about the backlash in his new community, the police intervention that forced him to move, and the continuing shadow cast by accusations he denies.
Martin and his team at Sky secured an exclusive interview with the suspect. For the first time since his release, Christian B has spoken. Though he refused to answer the crucial question — “Did you kill Madeleine McCann?” — his claims of a witch hunt by prosecutors reveal the strange and uneasy position he now occupies: condemned in the world’s most famous missing child case, but still a free man.
As Helen and Martin reflect on the challenges of reporting this story, they ask the difficult question: what can really be learned by confronting the suspect at the heart of one of the most haunting mysteries of our time?
Support the Show
.................................................
Shop Air Up here:
Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up!
Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at ?airup.link/truecriminals?. Explore all their delicious flavours today.
Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ?www.patreon.com/truecriminals?.
As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE
Follow True Criminals
Follow us on Instagram at ?@true.criminals? and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ?https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals?.
Connect with Martin Brunt
Follow Martin on Twitter at ?@skymartinbrunt?. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got
