The Scotland Yard has reportedly identified a new suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann 13 years ago.
According to the BBC, investigators have focused their attention on a 43-year-old man who is in prison in Germany. Authorities have not released details about his criminal history, except to say that his current incarceration has nothing to do with Madeleine’s disappearance.
The Scotland Yard and investigators in Germany are working together on the new development in the case, with Germany taking the lead because the suspect, who does not appear to have been charged in the missing persons case, is in custody in Germany.
Madeleine, or “Maddie,” was three years old when she vanished from her bed at a vacation resort in Praia de Luz, Portugal, while her parents were having dinner a short distance away on the same property.
According to the report, the unidentified suspect, who was 30 when Maddie disappeared, was traveling in Praia de Luz at the time the family was vacationing there. He reportedly lived a “transient” lifestyle for many years and was seen traveling in a camper van in the area of the resort in May 2007.
Investigators reportedly discovered that he received a phone call while in or near Praia de Luz the evening of Maddie’s disappearance, and stayed on the call until about 8 p.m., before Maddie was discovered to be missing.
The day after Maddie’s disappearance, the suspect transferred possession of a second vehicle, a Jaguar, to another individual.
“Someone out there knows a lot more than they’re letting on,” Metropolitan Police Chief Detective Inspector Mark Cranwell, who is leading the inquiry in the UK — where Maddie’s family lives — told the BBC.
DCI Cranwell has urged anyone with information to contact the Metropolitan Police — especially the person who called the suspect on the night the little girl vanished.
“They’re a key witness and we urge them to get in touch,” said DCI Cranwell.
“Some people will know the man we’re describing today,” he said. “You may be aware of some of the things he’s done.”
This is a developing story. CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.
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