WITNESS BLOW
Madeleine McCann case faces setback as key witness diagnosed with cancer
The ailing witness found rape videos in Brueckner’s home in 2005 but did not reveal the horrors they showed.
KEY witness Helge Busching has been diagnosed with cancer, the court heard yesterday — delivering a potential blow to the prospects of the Madeleine McCann case.
The 53-year-old reported Christian Brueckner to police after asking him about the missing youngster and being told: “She didn’t scream.”
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But the court heard the witness, who gave evidence this week, was refusing treatment and might not have long left to live — raising the prospect the Madeleine case might not arrive in court in time.
Another key witness in the Madeleine investigation, Manfred Seyferth, has also been diagnosed with the disease.
Former Brueckner pal Michael Tatschl, 50, told Braunschweig Regional Court about Busching: “He says he does not have long according to his diagnosis.”
The prosecutors’ office said recorded testimonies could ultimately be read out if required.
READ MORE ON MADELEINE HUNT
Mr Busching has previously revealed British detectives flew to meet him and spent three days interviewing him about Madeleine’s disappearance.
He also told the court earlier this week that it was the “biggest failure” of his life not to report Brueckner sooner.
He found rape videos in Brueckner’s home in 2005 but did not reveal the horrors they showed.
Three-year-old Madeleine vanished on May 3, 2007, in Praia da Luz, Portugal.
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