A prosecutor investigating a new suspect in the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann has said he does not believe the girl is still alive.

According to Today.com, Braunschweig state prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters said in an interview that he believes the girl who disappeared while on a family vacation in Portugal in 2007 is dead. As CrimeOnline previously reported, authorities have identified a new suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance — a 43-year-old man in prison in Germany, who was reportedly in Praia de Luz near the resort where Maddie was snatched from her bed on the same day she disappeared.

“We assume that the girl is dead,” Braunschweig state prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters reportedly said.

“The public prosecutor’s office in Braunschweig is investigating a 43-year-old German national on suspicion of murder.”

According to earlier reports, the unidentified suspect received a phone call on the evening of Madeleine’s disappearance, and stayed on the line for roughly half an hour. Authorities have asked for the person who placed this call to come forward.

The suspect also transferred possession of a Jaguar the day after Madeleine’s presumed kidnapping. The then-three-year-old girl was sleeping in a hotel room while her parents were dining with friends at a restaurant on the property. When a member of the group came to check on the children, they discovered Madeleine was gone.

According to Today.com, the suspect has a history of sexual crimes against children.

It is not known precisely what evidence led the prosecutor to believe the Madeleine is dead.

CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.