Madeleine: Police ‘Know How She Was Killed'

German cops’ crushing claim as mccanns refuse to give up hope

- Tracey Kandohla and John Twomey

The parents of missing Madeleine McCann were left reeling yesterday as German prosecutors declared: “We believe the child is dead.”

It was reported that German police know how Maddie was killed but no further details were revealed, though it is understood they do not believe it was premeditated.

Christian Brueckner, 43, is the man German prosecutors believe abducted and killed Maddie, it was revealed yesterday.

Police were tipped off after he is said to have confessed to a friend during a drinking session that he “knew all about” what had happened to Maddie.

He had seen her face on a German pub’s TV screen around the time of the 10th anniversary of her disappearance.

The friend went to the police and, after three years of investigations, police issued their latest appeal on Wednesday for further information after failing to gather enough evidence to charge him with Maddie’s murder.

The developments were a crushing blow to Maddie’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann, who have always prayed their daughter would turn up alive.

Portuguese police also faced serious questions last night after their German and British counterparts found Brueckner was not put on a shortlist of 600 suspects despite his long criminal record, history of child abuse and his decision to leave Praia da Luz shortly after the three-year-old’s disappearance on May 3, 2007.