A key investigator of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann claims that the case is close to being cracked.

Per Daily Mirror, German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters stated the case is progressing well after his team uncovered new evidence further implicating the prime suspect, convicted rapist Christian Brueckner.

Madeline McCann. [[imagecaption|| Credit: Alamy/James Boardman Archive]]

Speaking in a recent press conference, Wolters told reporters:

"We hope we can solve the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, although this will take several months. We are pleased with the response to our appeal for witnesses.

"But unfortunately not all our questions have been answered [...] When we have completed our investigations, we will inform the public about the result and then also about further details."

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/60Mins/status/1277197281851142144]]

Wolters previously spoke about the new evidence the prosecution team had obtained in an interview with The Sun, stating that it "adds further to the case we are building against our main suspect. I'm afraid I cannot tell you what it is but it strengthens our work."

He was unable to share the details of the new evidence at present, which he said was circumstantial and not forensic, and that prosecutors are still building their case against the German sex offender.

The prosecutor added: "We have always insisted that the man we identified as the main suspect is the man we believe committed the crime and we are not looking for anyone else. I am optimistic that we will solve this case."

[[facebookwidget||https://www.facebook.com/Official.Find.Madeleine.Campaign/photos/a.442533354930/10158328992929931]]

Madeleine McCann vanished at the age of three on May 3, 2007, from her vacation apartment at a resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while her parents were at a nearby restaurant with friends.

Her disappearance prompted a widespread search, and an international investigation from Portuguese, British and German police forces. Yet her ultimate whereabouts remain unknown.

Prime suspect Brueckner is currently serving a prison sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman back in 2004. He has been linked to the murder of German schoolgirl Peggy Knobloch, who disappeared on her way home from school in 2001.

[[facebookwidget||https://www.facebook.com/Official.Find.Madeleine.Campaign/posts/10159115409109931]]

Madeline's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, recently took to the Find Madeleine campaign's Facebook page to share an image of her on May 12, 2021.

On her 18th birthday, Kate and Gerry McCann captioned the picture: "Happy 18th birthday Madeleine."

[[facebookwidget||https://www.facebook.com/Official.Find.Madeleine.Campaign/posts/10159094481864931]]

In a post made several days before, the McCanns wrote: "Every May is tough – a reminder of years passed, of years together lost, or stolen.

"This year it is particularly poignant as we should be celebrating Madeleine’s 18th birthday. Enough said.

"The Covid pandemic has made this year even more difficult for many reasons but thankfully the investigation to find Madeleine and her abductor has continued. We hang on to the hope, however small, that we will see Madeleine again."

[[facebookwidget||https://www.facebook.com/Official.Find.Madeleine.Campaign/photos/a.442533354930/10158328992929931]]

Madeleine's parents continued: "As we have said repeatedly, we need to know what has happened to our lovely daughter, no matter what. We are very grateful to the police for their continued efforts.

"We still receive so many positive words and good wishes despite the years that have gone by. It all helps and for that, we are truly grateful – thank you."

Featured Image Credit: James Boardman Archive / Alamy

Madeleine McCann case could be 'solved in months', investigator says