Madeleine McCann’s parents face fresh heartache after prosecutors said the man suspected of snatching her may not be charged.
German authorities suspect paedophile Christian Brueckner, 43, killed the youngster and they claim to have evidence that she is dead.
But the man leading the investigation admitted yesterday that Brueckner may not face charges.
Hans Christian Wolters told a German newspaper: “You have to be realistic that the investigation may not lead to a charge for the murder of Madeleine.
“It could be stopped if we fail to find the missing evidence. But we are still convinced of the guilt of the accused and hope for further promising investigative approaches.”
German and British police revealed Brueckner to be their main suspect this month.
He is in prison in Kiel serving a sentence for drug dealing but is eligible for parole.
Brueckner is facing a seven-year term for raping a pensioner in Praia da Luz in 2005 but is appealing in the European Court of Human Rights that he was wrongly charged.
If he wins he could be immediately freed and there are fears he could flee to a non-extradition country.
Wolters has said Brueckner is the only suspect in Madeleine’s case. She was three when she vanished in Praia da Luz in 2007.
Brueckner lived in a camper van in the Algarve at the time.
German prosecutors have claimed to have “concrete evidence” Madeleine is dead.
Investigators are also sifting through 400 calls they got after a live TV appeal.
Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry, of Rothley, Leicestershire, said after the appeal: “We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive.
All we have ever wanted is to find her, uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice.”
