Investigators in Portugal have uncovered a potentially critical piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation into Madeleine McCann’s disappearance: a semi-automatic firearm found near the former home of Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the case.

The 6.35 calibre weapon was recovered during last week’s coordinated search of scrubland near Brueckner’s old cottage in the Algarve, not far from where three-year-old Madeleine vanished in 2007.

Sources close to the investigation confirmed that the gun has not yet been ruled out as relevant to the case. A second firearm found at the scene has already been dismissed as an unusable relic.

The search, led jointly by Portuguese and German authorities, also yielded clothing, animal bones, and other items, according to The Sun. Contrary to earlier reports, these materials have not been sent to Germany; they remain in Portugal pending forensic examination.

“A Portuguese team will first assess whether any of the findings are relevant to their investigation,” a police source told media. “Only then will the results be shared with German authorities. No physical samples have been removed from Portugal.”

German prosecutors described the joint operation as “excellent and very constructive,” as both countries continue to build their case against Brueckner before his scheduled release from prison in September.

He is currently serving a sentence for the 2005 rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Praia da Luz, the same resort town where Madeleine disappeared while on holiday with her family.

Authorities are under pressure to strengthen their case before Brueckner, 48, is freed. Forensic experts were invited to review footage of some bones discovered during the search, though no definitive conclusions could be drawn from video alone.

Professor Robert Green, a forensic science expert from the University of Kent, told The Mirror that the discovery of a mask, guns, and a hard drive points to a potential history of criminal activity that could deepen scrutiny into Brueckner’s past.

“These finds suggest a broader pattern of behaviour that merits thorough investigation,” Green said. “Renewed searches like this reflect the long-term commitment to solving the McCann case and the belief that fresh evidence could still lead to a breakthrough.”