Summary6 min read

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Main Suspect in Madeline McCann Disappearance Released From Prison | Crime Alert 6AM
Date: September 24, 2025
Host: Nancy Grace
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline

Overview:

This episode of "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace" provides an urgent update on the release of Christian Bruckner, the main suspect in the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann, who vanished in Portugal in 2007. Nancy Grace and reporter Drew Nelson examine Bruckner's release, legal context, ongoing investigations, and the history of the McCann case. The episode also covers the high-profile conviction of Ryan Ruth for the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

Main Story: Christian Bruckner Released (00:00‒03:36)

Details of Release and Restrictions

Nancy Grace opens with breaking news: Christian Bruckner, long-standing prime suspect in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance, has been released from prison after completing a seven-year sentence for an unrelated rape charge.
A former German Federal Police employee reportedly paid Bruckner’s outstanding fine, later attempting to retrieve the funds upon realizing it would trigger Bruckner’s release.
Nancy Grace: “The primary suspect in three-year-old Matty McCann’s disappearance has been released... now walks free.” (00:05)

Legal and Psychiatric Oversight

Drew Nelson details:
- Bruckner must wear an electronic tag, surrender his passport, and report to probation authorities.
- His lawyers are expected to appeal some restrictions.
- Prosecutors insist Bruckner is “still dangerous and could reoffend,” noting his refusal of treatment and ongoing psychiatric risk.
- He faces a further court date in October for a verbal altercation with a prison staff member. (00:36)

Ongoing Status as Suspect & Investigation Updates

Bruckner remains the prime suspect in the McCann case across British, German, and Portuguese jurisdictions. He denies involvement. Drew Nelson: “Police... all confirmed Bruckner remains a suspect in Madeleine McCann’s case. He has denied involvement.” (01:37)
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell (MET): “We will continue to pursue any viable lines of inquiry.” (01:51)
Latest (June): International police searched rural Algarve, focusing on a route between Bruckner’s former residence and Praia de Luz cliffs.
- The search centered on wells and derelict buildings but yielded no conclusive evidence.
- CNN Portugal highlighted the suspicion that Bruckner might have used the area to dispose of Madeleine's body.

Case Recap: Madeleine McCann’s Disappearance

On May 3, 2007, three-year-old Madeleine vanished from her family’s holiday apartment while her parents dined nearby.
- Witnesses recalled Kate McCann’s frantic scream:
  “Madeline’s gone. Someone’s taken her.” (02:21)
The initial investigation presumed abduction; suspicion at one point turned toward the parents, but they were cleared in 2008.
Scotland Yard’s Operation Grange (since 2011) exhaustively reviewed case materials — over 1,000 exhibits, 8,000+ sightings — but found no breakthrough.

Emergence of Bruckner as Suspect

In 2020, Bruckner was named prime suspect after phone records placed him in Praia de Luz the night of the disappearance.
A former acquaintance recounted Bruckner’s disturbing, chilling comment about Madeleine:
“She didn’t scream.” (02:52)
German prosecutors are confident in his involvement, though no body has been found:
Hans Christian Wolters: “If you knew the evidence we had, you would come to the same conclusion as I do.” (03:01)
In a prison interview, Bruckner refused to discuss the case, simply looking forward to a steak and beer after his release.
Madeleine would be 22 years old today; her parents continue to mark each anniversary with hope:
Quote from her parents’ website: “We love her dearly and miss her beyond words.” (03:28)

Segment 2: Ryan Ruth Convicted for Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump (05:14‒07:56)

The Attack and Trial

Reporter Drew Nelson shares next headline: Ryan Ruth found guilty of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
Ruth was convicted on multiple charges, including the attempted assassination of a major candidate, assault on a federal officer, and three firearms offenses.
- The jury deliberated for under three hours.
- Immediately after the guilty verdict, Ruth tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen in court.
- His daughter cried out in distress as officers restrained him. Quote: “Oh my God, he’s trying to kill himself. Someone stop him please.” (06:29)

Trial Details & Reaction

Ruth acted as his own lawyer, insisting:
“The trigger was never pulled, the gun was never fired, and that no one was hurt, so no crime.” (06:46)
- He also argued:
  “Although I wanted to kill, my actions... should show my obvious non-violence and gentleness. The attempt was never in my heart.” (07:01)
Prosecutors countered with evidence of premeditation: sniper’s nest, loaded weapon, and searches for Trump’s movements.
Messages to his children before arrest:
“Love you so much. You are the best daughter.”
“You are so awesome, dude. Love you so much.” (07:30)
Attorney General Pam Bondi:
“Illustrates the Department of Justice's commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch:
“An attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate is an attack on our republic and on the rights of every citizen.” (07:40)
President Trump responded:
“This was an evil man with an evil intention and they caught him.” (07:50)

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Bruckner’s release:
Nancy Grace: “The primary suspect... now walks free.” (00:05)
On Bruckner’s risk:
Drew Nelson: “Prosecutors say he is still dangerous and could reoffend.” (00:58)
On ongoing police efforts:
Det. Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell: “We will continue to pursue any viable lines of inquiry.” (01:51)
Chilling suspect quote:
Drew Nelson (recounting former acquaintance's report): “She didn’t scream.” (02:52)
German prosecutor’s confidence:
Hans Christian Wolters: “If you knew the evidence we had, you would come to the same conclusion as I do.” (03:01)
On Madeleine’s memory:
Kate & Gerry McCann: “We love her dearly and miss her beyond words.” (03:28)
On Ruth’s trial outburst:
Ruth’s daughter: “Oh my God, he’s trying to kill himself. Someone stop him, please.” (06:29)
On legal philosophy (Ruth's defense):
Ruth: “The trigger was never pulled, the gun was never fired... so no crime.” (06:46)
On political violence:
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch: “An attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate is an attack on our republic...” (07:41)
Trump’s reaction:
Donald Trump: “This was an evil man with an evil intention and they caught him.” (07:50)

Important Timestamps

00:00 – Breaking news on Christian Bruckner’s release
00:36 – Details on Bruckner’s current legal status and restrictions
01:37 – Confirmation of Bruckner as an ongoing suspect
01:51 – Detective Chief Inspector Cranwell’s statement
02:21 – Recap of Madeleine’s disappearance
02:52 – Friend’s chilling recollection of Bruckner’s comments
03:01 – German prosecutor’s confidence in their case
03:28 – McCanns’ latest public message
05:14 – Ryan Ruth trial and aftermath
06:29 – Ruth’s violent reaction and courtroom chaos
06:46 – Ruth’s unorthodox legal defense
07:41 – DOJ on political violence

Summary & Tone

The episode’s tone is urgent, empathetic, and determined—echoing Nancy Grace’s commitment to justice and advocacy for victims. The reporting is factual, concise, and sensitive toward ongoing cases, with a blend of heartfelt language (especially regarding Madeleine’s family) and hard-hitting legal facts.

For more coverage of crime and unsolved cases, listeners are encouraged to visit crimeonline.com or subscribe to the daily podcast for updates and calls to action on missing persons and cold cases.

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Transcript9 lines

[00:01]
A
Crime Alert. I'm Nancy Grace. Breaking crime news now. The primary suspect in three year old Matty McCann's disappearance has been released. Yes. Christian Bruckner, serving a seven year sentence for an unrelated rape, now walks free. Reportedly, a former German Federal Police employee paid an outstanding fine for Bruckner, but tried to get the money back after realizing it would lead to his release. Straight out to Drew Nelson for more Nancy.
[00:37]
B
49 year old Christian Bruckner has spent the last week a free man after his release from a seven year sentence for the rape of a 72 year old woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2005. German police confirmed he left the high security facility in Zehnder around 9:15am local time last Wednesday. He must wear an electronic tag, give up his passport and report to probation staff. His lawyers are expected to appeal the restriction. Prosecutors say he is still dangerous and could reoffend. A psychiatric report found he refused treatment in custody and remains a risk. He also faces an October court date in Oldenburg where he's accused in a verbal altercation with a prison employee. Police in Britain, Germany and Portugal all confirmed Bruckner remains a suspect in Madeline McCann's case. He has denied involvement. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell of the Metropolitan Police say they will, quote, continue to pursue any viable lines of inquiry in June. In June, German and Portuguese police carried out a major search in the Algarve. Investigators dug near derelict farm buildings and pumped out wells, hoping to find traces of metal in or her clothing. CNN Portugal reported. The search focused on a route between Bruckner's former house and the cliffs at Praia de Luz. The theory was that he may have used the path to dispose of her body. Nothing conclusive was found. Madeline McCann vanished on May 3rd of 2007 during a family holiday in Prideloos. She was three years old. Her parents, Kate and J. McCann, had left her and her twin siblings asleep in their apartment while they dined at a nearby restaurant. When Kate returned at 10pm she found her daughter gone. Witnesses recalled her screaming, quote, madeline's gone. Someone's taken her. Hundreds joined the search that night. Police initially believed Madeline was alive and abducted. Later, suspicion briefly turned on her parents, who were both named as formal suspects, but were cleared in 2008. Scotland Yard launched its own inquiry in 2011, known as Operation Grange. Over the years, detectives reviewed tens of thousands, thousands of documents, collected over a thousand exhibits and chased more than 8,000 possible sightings, but no breakthroughs. The case reignited in June of 2020 when German prosecutors identified Bruckner as their prime suspect. Phone records placed him in Praia to lose the night Madeline vanished. A former acquaintance told police Bruckner once remarked she, quote, didn't scream. Prosecutor Hans Christian Volters later told the BBC, quote, if you knew the evidence we had, you would come to the same conclusion as I do. He says investigators believe Madele is dead, though no body has been found. In a June prison interview with rtl, Bruckner refused to comment on Meline's case. He told the reporter he was looking forward to, quote, a decent steak and a beer after his release. Meline will be 22 years old today. Her parents mark each anniversary with a message of hope, writing on their website, quote, we love her dearly and miss her beyond words. The investigation into what happened into their daughter remains open.
[03:36]
A
Thanks, Drew. More crime and justice news after this.
[03:41]
C
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[04:36]
D
That's washablesofas.com straight arrow news Find facts and context you've been craving. Quickly find trusted information you need to understand the news. Watch what you want when you want. Catch up on the news at home or on the Go with your own news queue. Dive deep into the topics that matter to you and the world around you. Navigate everything you need to know about the topics shaping your world. Understand how every side of the political spectrum is reporting on a story so you get a full picture of the news. Welcome back to trustworthy journalism. San.com.
[05:14]
B
Ryan Ruth is found guilty of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump and then immediately tries to stab himself in the neck with a pen. After the verdict, A jury in Fort Pierce, Florida, convicted Ruth, age 59, found guilty of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and three firearms charges. He now faces a possible life sentence when Judge Aileen cannon rules. On December 18, jurors reach their verdict in less than three hours. Moments after the decision was read, Ruth lunged at his own neck with a pen. His daughter cried out, quote, oh, my God, he's trying to kill himself. He's trying to kill himself. Someone stop him please. U.S. marshals rushed to restrain him and dragged him from the room. He returned minutes later in shackles. There was no apparent blow. Blood. Ruth had chosen to act as his own lawyer during the two week trial. His closing argument ran for nearly an hour, during which he claimed there was no crime because, quote, the trigger was never pulled, the gun was never fired and that no one was hurt, so no crime. At another point, he insisted, although, quote, I wanted to kill my actions within the community and toward my co workers and family should show my obvious non violence and gentleness. He argued the attempt was, quote, never in his heart. But prosecutors said Ruth spent weeks building a sniper's nest near the sixth green of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm. A Secret Service agent testified that he saw Ruth aiming his rifle before Mr. Trump came into view. Prosecutor Christopher Brown said, hit a loaded round in the chamber and the safety off. We don't have to prove motive, but you already have it. You only have to decide intent. Evidence included call logs, texts, bank records and video surveillance. FBI agent Kimberly McGreevey testified that Ruth's phones showed searches for, quote, Trump's upcoming rallies and, quote, Palm beach traffic cameras. He also looked up, quote, directions to Miami Airport and, quote, flights to Mexico. On September 15th of last year, just before his arrest, he sent farewell messages to his children, writing to his daughter, quote, love you so much. You are the best daughter. And to his son, quote, quote, you are so awesome, dude. Love you so much. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the conviction, quote, illustrates the Department of Justice's commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch said the case sent a clear message that, quote, an attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate is an attack on our republic and on the rights of every citizen. President Trump posted on Truth Social. Quote, congratulations to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch and the entire DOJ team on the conviction in Florida of the person who attempted an assassination on my life. This was an evil man with an evil intention and they caught him.
[07:57]
A
Thanks, Drew. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for daily podcast crime stories where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and help solve unsolved homicides with this crime alert. I'm Nancy Grace.
[08:21]
D
Straight Arrow news. Find facts and context you've been craving. Quickly find trusted information you need to understand the news. Watch what you want when you want. Catch up on the news at home or on the Go with your own news queue. Dive deep into the topics that matter to you and the world around you. Navigate everything you need to know about the topics shaping your world. Understand how every side of the political spectrum is reporting on a story so you get a full picture of the news. Welcome back to trustworthy journalism.
[08:50]
C
San.com it starts like any other night. The glass of red, the cozy blanket. Then the drop. The stain's so dark, so stubborn, it might as well have been a crime scene. But this isn't your average couch. This is Anna Bay. Fully washable, unspeakably comfortable, and ready for whatever your life, your kids or your ex throws at it. And here's the kicker. Starting at just $699, you can make sure your sofa isn't part of the problem. Fully washable, stain resistant, and built to hide even the darkest defenses. Right now, get up to 60% off because no one should have to live with a stain that won't quit. Annabe the only mystery you won't be losing sleep over shop washablesofas.com today that's washablesofas.com this is an I Heart podcast.