British authorities have covertly traveled to Portugal to interrogate former acquaintances of Christian Brueckner, the main suspect in the Madeleine McCann case. Elke Piro, 69, and her husband Bernhard, 72, who had harbored the convicted sex offender prior to Madeleine’s disappearance in 2007, were extensively questioned in Faro by the Metropolitan Police.

Following Brueckner’s relocation in Germany after serving a seven-year prison term for assaulting an elderly woman, Elke, a German national, expressed her belief that Brueckner was involved in Madeleine’s disappearance. She emphasized her willingness to cooperate with authorities and testify if necessary.

Elke speculated that Brueckner might have encountered Madeleine while searching for money in her parents’ apartment, potentially leading to a harmful encounter. Expressing regret for associating with Brueckner, Bernhard described him as a “classic sociopath” with dual personalities – displaying both gentle and erratic, alcohol-fueled behavior.

Metropolitan Police Chief Sir Mark Rowley hinted at the possibility of extraditing Brueckner to the UK pending new evidence in the case. The ongoing Operation Grange, the Met’s investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance, has intensified as German authorities faced challenges in making charges stick after an 18-year probe.

Despite declining to comment on ongoing investigations, the Metropolitan Police reportedly collaborated with Portuguese authorities to question the Piros in Faro as part of the inquiry. The couple first encountered Brueckner in 1995 on the Algarve and maintained contact until 2018, previously being interrogated by German and Portuguese investigators.

Elke expressed dismay over her connection with Brueckner, highlighting his disturbing behavior and the regrettable decision to host him at their residence near Praia da Luz. She described Brueckner as prone to extreme behavior, particularly when under the influence of alcohol, exhibiting erratic and sex-obsessed tendencies.